Matthew 24:40

Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one left. ¹ 

Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.

"Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.

"Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left.

Two men will be working in the field--one will be taken, one left behind;

Then two men will be in the field; one is taken, and one let go;

Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.

"Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.

Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one left. ¹ 

¹ sn There is debate among commentators and scholars over the phrase one will be taken and one left about whether one is taken for judgment or for salvation. If the imagery is patterned after the rescue of Noah from the flood, as some suggest, the ones taken are the saved (as Noah was) andthose left behind are judged. The imagery, however, is not directly tied to theidentification of the two groups. Its primary purposein context is topicture the sudden, surprisingseparation of the righteous and the judged (i.e., condemned) at the return of the Son of Man.