The meaning of Jesus’ words are unclear and numerous different interpretations have been presented. Some claim that it refers to corpses of the wicked slain in judgement.1 Others argue that the corpses represent the signs of Jesus’ coming and the vultures refer to his actual appearance.2 Given the immediate context, which concerns the public nature of his return, it makes sense to understand the reference to vultures in a similar vein. Vultures circle in the skies above carrion; they are visible from afar and so also it will be with the return of Jesus Christ, public and visible.
28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.