Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The striking use of the present tense, "one is taken and one is left," doesn't just mean this will happen suddenly; it paints a picture of the event's immediate, unfolding reality. This isn't about a future event being distant, but about its profound and unavoidable impact, highlighting the absolute certainty of this separation.
Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the destruction of the Temple and the end of the age, likening his coming to the suddenness of the days of Noah. He emphasizes that life will seem normal, with people eating, drinking, and going about their daily routines, until judgment arrives unexpectedly. This verse, along with the following one about women grinding grain, illustrates that the separation at judgment will occur even amidst the most ordinary, shared human activities.
Imagine living your life, doing ordinary things, and then suddenly... everything changes. This verse paints a vivid picture of separation happening when you least expect it.
Jesus uses everyday scenes to show how the Day of the Lord will arrive. Two people are working side-by-side in a field, in the same routine, with no outward difference between them. Yet, in a moment, one is 'taken' and the other is 'left.' This isn't about a natural disaster or a visible enemy; it's a divine separation. The use of the present tense ('one is taken, one is left') makes this future event feel immediate and certain, emphasizing that this separation will cut across the most ordinary activities of life.
When someone is 'taken' or 'left,' what does that truly mean? This verse leaves us with a crucial question about destiny.
The wording here is intentionally stark and carries a significant weight. While some ancient commentators debated whether 'taken' meant being rescued or taken in judgment, and 'left' meant abandoned or spared, the broader context of Jesus' teaching, especially His references to Noah and Lot, suggests a clear division. The 'taken' are those removed from judgment, akin to Noah being taken into the ark. The 'left,' however, face the judgment that the 'taken' escape. The ultimate separation is a discernment between those who belong to God and those who do not, a judgment that will be exercised with perfect accuracy, dividing those who seem indistinguishable in everyday life.
Understand the original words
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paralambanō · Greek Verb
To remove, receive, or take away; in the context of judgment, it signifies being seized or swept away by the catastrophic wrath of God.
aphiēmi · Greek Verb
To permit to remain or leave behind; in this context, it refers to those not removed by the judgment, left to face the consequences of the coming of the Son of Man.
Jesus' words about separation in the field or at the mill weren't just about a future, final judgment. They also resonated with the terrifying reality of the destruction of Jerusalem, where daily life was shattered by sudden invasion and inescapable judgment, forcing a stark separation between those who perished and those who survived.
c. 70 AD— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman army under Titus besieged and destroyed Jerusalem, a cataclysmic event that deeply impacted Jewish life and identity.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The central events of Christian faith, establishing the theological framework for Jesus' warnings about judgment and separation.
c. AD 70-73
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
The Roman siege, destruction of the Temple, and the subsequent scattering of Jewish people, fulfilling Jesus' prophecies about the city's fate.
c. AD 90-100
Writing of the Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew was likely written in this period, preserving Jesus' teachings and warnings, including the parable of separation.
This passage directly parallels Matthew 24:40 with the imagery of separation happening in the night, emphasizing the sudden and unexpected nature of Christ's return.
Genesis 7:23The verse in Matthew alludes to the days of Noah, and this Genesis passage shows how the flood 'took away' all living things, illustrating a catastrophic separation where only a remnant was left.
Genesis 19:11The story of Lot in Genesis 19 provides a similar scenario of sudden judgment and separation, where some were 'taken' away from destruction (like Lot), and others (like his wife, who looked back) were left to perish.
1 Thessalonians 4:17This passage describes believers being 'taken up' to meet the Lord in the air, offering a contrasting perspective to Matthew 24:40, where 'taken' could imply being taken for judgment. It highlights the possibility of being 'taken' for salvation.
Luke 21:35This verse describes how judgment will come suddenly 'as a snare' on all who dwell on the earth, reinforcing the idea presented in Matthew 24:40 that people will be caught unaware in their everyday activities.
vincentMatthew 24:40: "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."
Shall be taken - leftBoth verbs are in the present tense, which makes the saying more lively. One is taken and one is left. So Rev.
barnesMatthew 24:40: "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."
Then shall two be in the field ... - The calamity will come suddenly. There will be no escape for those whom it overtakes. One shall be taken - The word "taken" may mean either to be taken away from the danger - that is, rescued, as Lot was Luke 17:28-29, or to be taken away "by death." Probably the latter is the meaning.
The striking use of the present tense, "one is taken and one is left," doesn't just mean this will happen suddenly; it paints a picture of the event's immediate, unfolding reality. This isn't about a future event being distant, but about its profound and unavoidable impact, highlighting the absolute certainty of this separation.
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the destruction of the Temple and the end of the age, likening his coming to the suddenness of the days of Noah. He emphasizes that life will seem normal, with people eating, drinking, and going about their daily routines, until judgment arrives unexpectedly. This verse, along with the following one about women grinding grain, illustrates that the separation at judgment will occur even amidst the most ordinary, shared human activities.
Jesus is answering his disciples' questions about the destruction of the Temple and the end of the age, likening his coming to the suddenness of the days of Noah. He emphasizes that life will seem normal, with people eating, drinking, and going about their daily routines, until judgment arrives unexpectedly. This verse, along with the following one about women grinding grain, illustrates that the separation at judgment will occur even amidst the most ordinary, shared human activities.
"Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left." — The striking use of the present tense, "one is taken and one is left," doesn't just mean this will happen suddenly; it paints a picture of the event's immediate, unfolding reality. This isn't abo…
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Last reviewed October 2026