Two women will be grinding at the mill:
In ancient times, grinding grain was a common daily task, often performed by women. This activity involved using a hand mill, which consisted of two stones. The upper stone was rotated over the lower one to crush the grain. This setting reflects the everyday life of the people during Jesus' time, emphasizing the normalcy and routine nature of the scene. The mention of two women highlights the communal aspect of work, as tasks were often shared. This imagery is consistent with other biblical references to grinding, such as in Exodus 11:5, where the firstborn of the maidservant behind the mill is mentioned, indicating the widespread nature of this task across different social classes.

one will be taken and the other left.
This phrase is often interpreted in the context of eschatological events, referring to the sudden and selective nature of divine intervention. The idea of one being taken and the other left suggests a separation based on divine judgment or selection, reminiscent of the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30), where a separation occurs at the harvest. The concept of being "taken" can be linked to the idea of being gathered to Christ, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, where believers are caught up to meet the Lord. Conversely, being "left" may imply remaining for judgment or tribulation, aligning with the themes of readiness and vigilance found throughout Matthew 24. This dichotomy underscores the unpredictability and impartiality of God's judgment, urging believers to remain watchful and prepared.

1. Two Women
Represents individuals engaged in daily activities, symbolizing the normalcy of life when the event occurs.

2. Grinding at the Mill
A common daily task in ancient times, indicating routine life and work.

3. One Taken, One Left
Illustrates the sudden and selective nature of the event, often interpreted as the rapture or a form of divine judgment.The Importance of Readiness
Believers should live in a state of spiritual preparedness, as the timing of Christ's return is unknown.

The Nature of Divine Selection
God's judgment and selection are based on His divine wisdom and knowledge of the heart, not on external appearances or actions.

Daily Life and Spiritual Vigilance
Engage in daily tasks with an awareness of spiritual realities, ensuring that routine does not lead to spiritual complacency.

Community and Individual Responsibility
While we live in community, our spiritual readiness is an individual responsibility. Each person must ensure their own relationship with God is secure.

The Urgency of the Gospel
The suddenness of the event underscores the urgency of sharing the Gospel and living out one's faith authentically.(41) Two women shall be grinding at the mill.--The words bring before us the picture of the lowest form of female labour, in which one woman holds the lower stone of the small hand-mill of the East, while another turns the upper stone and grinds the corn. In Judges 16:21, and Lamentations 5:13, the employment appears as the crowning degradation of male captives taken in battle. It is probable that in this case, as in that of the fig-tree, the illustration may have been suggested by what was present to our Lord's view at the time. The Mount of Olives might well have presented to His gaze, even as He spoke, the two labourers in the field, the two women at the mill.

Verse 41. - Two women shall be grinding at (ἐν) the mill. In the absence of mills turned by wind or water, which were of much later invention, every household had its own little handmill, worked by women of the family or by slaves (Exodus 11:5; Judges 16:21; Isaiah 47:2). "Two stones, about eighteen inches or two feet across, rest one on the other, the under one slightly higher towards the centre, and the upper one hollowed out to fit this convexity; a hole through it, in the middle, receiving the grain. Sometimes the under stone is bedded m cement, raised into a border round it, to catch and retain the flour, or meal, as it falls. A stick fastened into the upper one served as a handle. Occasionally two women sit at the same pair of stones, to lighten the task, one hand only being needed where two work together, whereas a single person has to use both hands" (Geikie, 'Holy Land and Bible,' p. 155). "Two women were busy in a cottage at the household mill, which attracted me by its sound To grind is very exhausting work, so that, where possible, one woman sits opposite the other, to divide the strain, though in a poor man's house the wife has to do this drudgery unaided" (ibid., p. 661). St. Luke (Luke 17:34) adds a third situation to the cases mentioned by our Lord, viz. "two men in one bed," or on one dining couch.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Two [women]
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

will be grinding
ἀλήθουσαι (alēthousai)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 229: To grind. From the same as aleuron; to grind.

at
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

mill:
μύλῳ (mylō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3458: A millstone, mill. Probably ultimately from the base of molis; a 'mill', i.e., a grinder.

one
μία (mia)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

will be taken
παραλαμβάνεται (paralambanetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3880: From para and lambano; to receive near, i.e. Associate with oneself; by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the other]
μία (mia)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

left.
ἀφίεται (aphietai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 24:41 Two women grinding at the mill one (Matt. Mat Mt)