The phrase the end of the age
(literally the consummation of the age
) is typical in Matthew (Matthew 13:40, Matthew 13:49; Matthew 24:3; Matthew 28:20; see Hebrews 9:26). The Greek word aión refers to age or epoch. In Matthew 13:40, it means the end of this age, the close of the era in which the world exists in its present form. Jesus likens this end of the age to a harvest (see Joel 3:13, Revelation 14:15–16). This harvest includes both salvation and judgment (see Matthew 13:40, Matthew 13:43; Matthew 9:37).
The phrase the end of the age
(literally the consummation of the age
) is a characteristic expression in Matthew’s Gospel (see Matthew 13:40, Matthew 13:49; Matthew 24:3; Matthew 28:20; see also Hebrews 9:26). The Greek word aión refers to age or epoch. Here in Matthew 13:40, it signifies the end of the present age—that is, the close of the era in which the world exists in its present form. Jesus compares this end of the age to a harvest (see Joel 3:13, Revelation 14:15–16). This harvest has both a positive and a negative aspect, depicting both salvation and judgment (see Matthew 13:40, Matthew 13:43; Matthew 9:37).1
37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.