Matthew 24:42
New International Version
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

New Living Translation
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.

English Standard Version
Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore keep watch, for you do not know on what day your Lord comes.

King James Bible
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

New King James Version
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

New American Standard Bible
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

NASB 1995
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

NASB 1977
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Therefore stay awake, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Amplified Bible
“So be alert [give strict attention, be cautious and active in faith], for you do not know which day [whether near or far] your Lord is coming.

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.

American Standard Version
Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.

Contemporary English Version
So be on your guard! You don't know when your Lord will come.

English Revised Version
Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Therefore, be alert, because you don't know on what day your Lord will return.

Good News Translation
Watch out, then, because you do not know what day your Lord will come.

International Standard Version
"So keep on watching, because you don't know on what day your Lord is coming.

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the hour in which your Lord will come.

NET Bible
"Therefore stay alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

New Heart English Bible
Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord comes.

Webster's Bible Translation
Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord cometh.

Weymouth New Testament
Be on the alert therefore, for you do not know the day on which your Lord is coming.

World English Bible
Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Watch therefore, because you have not known in what hour your Lord comes;

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore keep watch, for you do not know on what day your Lord comes.

Young's Literal Translation
'Watch ye therefore, because ye have not known in what hour your Lord doth come;

Smith's Literal Translation
Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord comes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Watch ye therefore, because ye know not what hour your Lord will come.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, be vigilant. For you do not know at what hour your Lord will return.

New American Bible
Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.

New Revised Standard Version
Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Be alert, therefore, for you do not know at what hour your Lord will come.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Wake up therefore, for you do not know in what hour your Lord will come.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
"Watch, therefore, for you know not at what hour your Lord is coming.

Godbey New Testament
Watch therefore: because you do not know on what day your Lord cometh.

Haweis New Testament
Watch therefore: for ye know not at what hour your Master cometh.

Mace New Testament
watch therefore, for ye know not at what hour your Lord shall come.

Weymouth New Testament
Be on the alert therefore, for you do not know the day on which your Lord is coming.

Worrell New Testament
Watch ye, therefore, because ye know not in what day your Lord is coming.

Worsley New Testament
Watch therefore, for ye know not at what hour your Lord cometh:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Readiness at Any Hour
41Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.…

Cross References
1 Thessalonians 5:2-6
For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. / While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. / But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. ...

Mark 13:33-37
Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come. / It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch. / Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. ...

Luke 21:34-36
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. / For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. / So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Revelation 3:3
Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.

1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.

Romans 13:11-12
And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. / The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Luke 12:35-40
Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. / Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. / Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. ...

2 Peter 3:10-12
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. / Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness / as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.

Matthew 25:13
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Revelation 16:15
“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.”

Hebrews 10:25
Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Proverbs 8:34
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

Ezekiel 3:17
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.

Isaiah 21:11-12
This is the burden against Dumah: One calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?” / The watchman replies, “Morning has come, but also the night. If you would inquire, then inquire. Come back yet again.”

Habakkuk 2:1
I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected.


Treasury of Scripture

Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord does come.

Watch.

Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 26:38-41
Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me…

Mark 13:33-37
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is…

for.

Matthew 24:36,44
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only…

Mark 13:33
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

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Matthew 24
1. Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple;
3. what and how great calamities shall be before it;
29. the signs of his coming to judgment.
36. And because that day and hour are unknown,
42. we ought to watch like good servants, expecting our Master's coming.














Therefore
This word serves as a conclusion or a result of the preceding discourse. In the context of Matthew 24, Jesus has been discussing the signs of the end times and His second coming. The Greek word used here is "oun," which connects the previous teachings to the imperative that follows. It implies that the teachings about the end times are not just for knowledge but for action. The call to vigilance is a direct response to the uncertainty of the timing of these events.

keep watch
The Greek word for "keep watch" is "grēgoreite," which means to be vigilant or to stay awake. This is a call to spiritual alertness and readiness. In the historical context, watchmen were stationed on city walls to alert inhabitants of any approaching danger. Similarly, Christians are called to be spiritually alert, discerning the times, and living in a state of readiness for Christ's return. This vigilance is not passive but active, involving prayer, study of the Scriptures, and living a life that reflects Christ's teachings.

because
This conjunction introduces the reason for the command to keep watch. It ties the necessity of vigilance to the uncertainty of the timing of the Lord's return. The Greek word "hoti" is used here, indicating a causal relationship. It emphasizes that the unpredictability of the event is the very reason for constant preparedness.

you do not know
The phrase underscores human limitation in understanding God's timing. The Greek "ouk oidate" suggests a lack of knowledge or awareness. This is a humbling reminder that despite human efforts to predict or calculate the end times, the exact moment remains hidden. It calls believers to trust in God's sovereignty and to focus on faithful living rather than speculation.

the day
In the Jewish context, "the day" often referred to significant events, such as the Day of the Lord, which is a theme throughout the Old Testament. It signifies a time of divine intervention and judgment. Here, it specifically refers to the day of Christ's return. The use of "the day" rather than "a day" suggests a definitive, significant event in God's redemptive plan.

on which your Lord
This phrase personalizes the relationship between the believer and Christ. The term "your Lord" emphasizes ownership and authority. In Greek, "ho kurios" denotes a master or one who has control. For Christians, this is a reminder of their allegiance and submission to Christ, who is not only Savior but also Lord of their lives. It calls for a life lived under His lordship, characterized by obedience and devotion.

will come
The certainty of Christ's return is affirmed in this phrase. The Greek "erchetai" is in the present tense, indicating an assured future event. This reflects the Christian hope and expectation that Christ will indeed return, as He promised. It is a call to live in anticipation of this event, shaping one's life and priorities in light of the coming Kingdom. The historical context of early Christians, who faced persecution and hardship, found great comfort and motivation in the promise of Christ's return.

Verses 42-51. - Practical exhortation drawn from the uncertainty of the last day: Watch. Verse 42. - Watch therefore. The end will be sudden, the final separation will be then completed; be ye therefore always prepared. Few exhortations are more frequently and impressively given than this of the duty and necessity of watchfulness. Of course, the Christian has to watch against many things - his own evil heart, temptation, the world, but most of all he must watch and be always looking for the coming of his Lord; for whether he be regarded as Redeemer, Deliverer, or Judge, he will come as a thief in the night. What hour. Very many good manuscripts and some late editors read "on what day." This is probably the genuine reading, "hour" being an alteration derived from ver. 44. What (ποίᾳ) means of what kind or quality - whether sudden, immediate, or remote.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Therefore
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

keep watch,
Γρηγορεῖτε (Grēgoreite)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1127: (a) I am awake (in the night), watch, (b) I am watchful, on the alert, vigilant. From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

you do not know
οἴδατε (oidate)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

[the] day
ἡμέρᾳ (hēmera)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

on which
ποίᾳ (poia)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4169: Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

Lord
κύριος (kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

will come.
ἔρχεται (erchetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.


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