Matthew 24 31

Matthew 24:31 kjv

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 24:31 nkjv

And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 24:31 niv

And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Matthew 24:31 esv

And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Matthew 24:31 nlt

And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world ? from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 31 Meaning

Matthew 24:31 describes the majestic and ultimate act following the visible return of Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. After the cosmic disturbances and the manifestation of His glory, He will dispatch His angels with divine authority. Their mission is to assemble God's chosen people—the "elect"—from every corner of the earth and even from the heavens, signifying an all-encompassing and universal gathering. This gathering is announced by a profound, divinely orchestrated trumpet sound, marking a momentous eschatological event of immense scale and significance.

Matthew 24 31 Context

Matthew 24:31 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. The chapter begins with the disciples asking about the destruction of the Temple and the signs of Jesus' second coming and the end of the age (Mat 24:3). Jesus outlines various events: signs of the end (wars, famines, earthquakes), tribulation (persecution of believers, rise of false prophets, cosmic disturbances), and specifically mentions "the abomination of desolation." Verses 29-30 describe cosmic signs and the visible, powerful coming of the Son of Man "on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory," causing "all the tribes of the earth mourn." Verse 31 directly follows this majestic display, describing the immediate consequence of His arrival: the universal gathering of His elect. This event marks the definitive assembly of all believers from across time and space to be with Him.

Matthew 24 31 Word analysis

• And he will send (καὶ ἀποστελεῖ): The Greek verb ἀποστελεῖ (apostelei) from ἀποστέλλω (apostellō) denotes a sending with authority, a specific commission from a higher power. It implies purposeful action by Christ.
• his angels (τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ): Angels are God's divine messengers and agents, often carrying out His will, particularly in judgment or significant events. Here, they serve as the instruments for gathering the elect. They act on Christ's behalf, underscoring His supreme authority.
• with a loud (μετὰ φωνῆς μεγάλης): The Greek φωνῆς (phōnēs) can mean "voice" or "sound," and μεγάλης (megalēs) means "great" or "loud." It signifies an undeniable, authoritative, and widely audible declaration. This sound is not merely loud but impactful and spiritually significant.
• trumpet call (σάλπιγγος): The Greek σάλπιγξ (salpinx) refers to a trumpet. In both Old and New Testaments, the trumpet (shofar in Hebrew, salpinx in Greek) signifies significant divine intervention: the announcement of God's presence (Exod 19), a call to assembly for war or worship, the proclamation of judgment, or the resurrection of the dead. Here, it heralds the ultimate gathering and possibly the resurrection.
• and they will gather (καὶ ἐπισυνάξουσιν): The Greek verb ἐπισυνάξουσιν (episynaxousin) from ἐπισυνάγω (episynagō) emphasizes gathering to oneself, specifically drawing together scattered people. It implies a precise and thorough collection.
• his elect (τοὺς ἐκλεκτοὺς αὐτοῦ): The Greek term ἐκλεκτοὺς (eklektous) means "chosen" or "selected." It refers to those whom God has eternally chosen for salvation through Christ, comprising both Jew and Gentile believers throughout history. This is not a random collection but a specific gathering of God's divinely appointed people.
• from the four winds (ἐκ τῶν τεσσάρων ἀνέμων): An ancient idiom signifying all cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), meaning from everywhere on Earth. It emphasizes the global and universal scope of the gathering, regardless of geographical location.
• from one end of heaven to the other (ἀπ’ ἄκρων οὐρανῶν ἕως ἀκρων αὐτῶν): This phrase signifies the vast, comprehensive reach of the gathering. It encompasses not only the breadth of the earth but also extends to include all of space or even the dwelling places (graves) of those who are resurrected. It suggests an unparalleled sweep, gathering people from every conceivable place.

• "And he will send his angels": Highlights Christ's sovereign power and delegated authority; angels serve as His direct agents in executing divine purposes. This underscores His identity as the Son of Man with divine prerogative.
• "with a loud trumpet call": This combination indicates a momentous and public announcement. The trumpet call itself is not necessarily blown by the angels in all interpretations but accompanies their action, signaling the magnitude of the event—a divine summons for a universal assembly and resurrection.
• "they will gather his elect": This is the central purpose of the angelic mission. It is an act of divine love and sovereignty, bringing His chosen ones together for their ultimate destiny with Him. It confirms God's covenant faithfulness to those He has called.
• "from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other": This is an emphatic description of the comprehensive nature of the gathering, underscoring that no elect person, regardless of their origin or historical period, will be overlooked. It includes those living and those resurrected, demonstrating God's total knowledge and power over all space and time.

Matthew 24 31 Bonus section

The concept of the "trumpet call" links directly to the "last trumpet" mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16, where it explicitly accompanies the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the catching up of living believers to meet the Lord in the air. This connection firmly places Matthew 24:31 in the context of the universal resurrection and gathering of the Church at the second coming. While Matthew focuses on the "elect," which has broad Old Testament implications for Israel, its New Testament usage and parallelism with Pauline epistles demonstrate its application to all who are chosen in Christ. The thoroughness described by "four winds" and "ends of heaven" leaves no doubt that this is a total collection of all God's people across all time and geographical boundaries, embodying both a spatial and a temporal totality. This passage ensures hope and assurance for believers of every generation, promising a glorious future reunion with Christ.

Matthew 24 31 Commentary

Matthew 24:31 marks the climax of Christ's Olivet Discourse concerning His second coming and the end of the age. Following the dramatic, visible appearance of the Son of Man, this verse portrays the next grand event: the divinely orchestrated assembly of His chosen people. The "loud trumpet call" resonates as an echo of Old Testament theophanies and later New Testament pronouncements, signaling the resurrection and gathering of believers into Christ's presence. Angels, serving as His direct agents, ensure the meticulous collection of "His elect" from every part of the world, whether living or raised from the dead. This act demonstrates Christ's absolute sovereignty and faithfulness to His chosen ones, signifying their ultimate redemption and their coming together in unity under His Lordship. It is the fulfillment of God's saving purpose for all His people, gathered without exception, establishing them permanently in His glorious kingdom.