Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. New Living Translation Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. English Standard Version But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Berean Standard Bible But 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. Berean Literal Bible And know this, that if the master of the house had known in what time of night the thief comes, he would have watched and not have allowed his house to be broken into. King James Bible But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. New King James Version But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. New American Standard Bible But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. NASB 1995 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. NASB 1977 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Legacy Standard Bible But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Amplified Bible But understand this: If the head of the house had known what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Christian Standard Bible But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. Holman Christian Standard Bible But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. American Standard Version But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through. Contemporary English Version Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in. English Revised Version But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through. GOD'S WORD® Translation You realize that if a homeowner had known at what time of the night a thief was coming, he would have stayed awake. He would not have let the thief break into his house. Good News Translation If the owner of a house knew the time when the thief would come, you can be sure that he would stay awake and not let the thief break into his house. International Standard Version But be sure of this: if the owner of the house had known when during the night the thief would be coming, he would have stayed awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. NET Bible But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have been alert and would not have let his house be broken into. New Heart English Bible But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Webster's Bible Translation But know this, that if the master of the house knew in what watch the thief would come, he would watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken up. Weymouth New Testament But of this be assured, that if the master of the house had known the hour at which the robber was coming, he would have kept awake, and not have allowed his house to be broken into. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut 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. World English Bible But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief comes, he had watched, and did not permit his house to be broken through; Berean Literal Bible And know this, that if the master of the house had known in what time of night the thief comes, he would have watched and not have allowed his house to be broken into. Young's Literal Translation and this know, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief doth come, he had watched, and not suffered his house to be broken through; Smith's Literal Translation But know this, that if the master of the house had known what watch the thief comes, he had watched, and would not have suffered his house to be undermined. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut know this ye, that if the goodman of the house knew at what hour the thief would come, he would certainly watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open. Catholic Public Domain Version But know this: if only the father of the family knew at what hour the thief would arrive, he would certainly keep vigil and not permit his house to be broken into. New American Bible Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. New Revised Standard Version But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut know this much, that if the master of the house knew at what watch of the night the thief comes, he would keep awake and would not let his house be plundered. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But know this: if the house owner had known in what watch the robber would come, he would have been awake and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut know this, That if the master of the house had known at what watch the thief comes, he would have watched, and would not have permitted his house to be broken open. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament And this observe, that if the master of the family had known in which watch of the night the thief would have come, he would have watched, and not have suffered him to break into his house. Mace New Testament but this you conceive, that if a man knew at what hour of the night the thief would come, he would set a watch, and not suffer his house to be broke open. Weymouth New Testament But of this be assured, that if the master of the house had known the hour at which the robber was coming, he would have kept awake, and not have allowed his house to be broken into. Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Readiness at Any Hour…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. 44For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.… Cross References 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 2 Peter 3:10 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. 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. Luke 12:39-40 But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. / You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.” Mark 13:34-37 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. / Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping. ... 1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. 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.” 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Matthew 25:13 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. 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.” Proverbs 6:6-8 Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 24:33-34 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit. Ezekiel 33:6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the horn to warn the people, and the sword comes and takes away a life, then that one will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’ Joel 2:9 They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves. Isaiah 56:10 Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. Treasury of Scripture But know this, that if the manager of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. good-man. Matthew 20:11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Proverbs 7:19 For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: had. Luke 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night… 2 Peter 3:10,11 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up… would not. Exodus 22:2,3 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him… Jump to Previous Allowed Assured Awake Broken Dug Goodman Head Hour House Householder Kept Master Night Part Robber Suffer Suffered Sure Thief Time Understand Watch Watched WatchingJump to Next Allowed Assured Awake Broken Dug Goodman Head Hour House Householder Kept Master Night Part Robber Suffer Suffered Sure Thief Time Understand Watch Watched WatchingMatthew 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. But understand this: This phrase serves as a call to attention, emphasizing the importance of the message that follows. It is a directive to grasp the significance of the teaching, often used by Jesus to highlight a key point. In biblical context, understanding is frequently associated with spiritual insight and discernment, as seen in Proverbs 4:7, which underscores the value of wisdom and understanding. 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. HomeownerRepresents individuals or believers who are responsible for their spiritual vigilance and readiness. 2. Thief Symbolizes unexpected events or the sudden return of Christ, emphasizing the need for constant preparedness. 3. House Represents one's life or spiritual state, which needs to be guarded against spiritual complacency. 4. Watch of the Night Refers to the time periods during the night, indicating the unpredictability of the event. 5. Breaking In Illustrates the potential spiritual loss or consequences of not being prepared. Teaching Points Vigilance in FaithJust as a homeowner must be alert to protect his house, believers must remain spiritually vigilant, maintaining a strong relationship with God through prayer, study, and obedience. Understanding the Times Recognize the signs of the times and live with an awareness of the spiritual realities around us, being prepared for Christ's return at any moment. Guarding Against Complacency Avoid spiritual laziness by actively engaging in community worship, service, and personal spiritual growth. Living with Purpose Use the knowledge of Christ's imminent return to motivate a life of holiness, integrity, and mission-focused living. Encouraging One Another Foster a community of accountability and encouragement, helping each other to stay alert and prepared for the Lord's return. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 24:43?2. How does Matthew 24:43 emphasize the importance of spiritual vigilance in our lives? 3. What does the "thief" symbolize in Matthew 24:43, and how should we respond? 4. How can we apply the lesson of preparedness from Matthew 24:43 daily? 5. What other scriptures reinforce the call to be watchful and ready for Christ's return? 6. How does understanding Matthew 24:43 influence our approach to spiritual discipline and readiness? 7. What does Matthew 24:43 teach about being prepared for Christ's return? 8. How does Matthew 24:43 relate to the concept of spiritual vigilance? 9. Why is the metaphor of a thief used in Matthew 24:43? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 24? 11. What if the end comes unexpectedly like a thief? 12. Are you prepared for the unexpected arrival? 13. What does 'No One Knows the Day or Hour' mean? 14. What message was given to the Church in Sardis? What Does Matthew 24:43 Mean But understand thisJesus begins with an urgent call: “But understand this” (Matthew 24:43a). He is not sharing an optional tidbit; He is issuing a clear, authoritative alert. • The same tone appears just one verse earlier: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42). • Paul echoes the seriousness of grasping divine warnings when he writes, “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this” (2 Timothy 2:7). The Lord expects His followers to pay attention, receive, and act on His words. If the homeowner had known “If the homeowner had known…” (Matthew 24:43b) highlights a hypothetical scenario. The point is simple: knowledge of timing would change behavior. • Jesus reminds the disciples in Acts 1:7 that “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority”. • Because exact knowledge is withheld, the call to readiness becomes even more critical. In which watch of the night “…in which watch of the night the thief was coming” (Matthew 24:43c) places the event in the dark hours, when people are most vulnerable. • Mark 13:35 lists the Roman night watches—“whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning”—underscoring unpredictability. • Psalm 119:148 speaks of eyes awake “through the watches of the night,” modeling continual alertness for God’s word. The thief was coming Jesus likens His return to a thief’s arrival—sudden and unexpected. • “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2). • “The day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2 Peter 3:10). • Revelation 16:15 records Christ’s own words: “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake…”. The imagery communicates the surprise element, not any wrongdoing on Christ’s part. He would have kept watch “…he would have kept watch” (Matthew 24:43d) shows that alertness is the rational response to impending intrusion. • Luke 21:36 exhorts, “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things”. • 1 Peter 5:8 applies the same principle to spiritual warfare: “Be sober-minded and alert”. Readiness involves eyes open, hearts engaged, and lives aligned with God’s will. And would not have let his house be broken into By watching, the homeowner would have protected his household. Jesus wants His disciples to guard what He has entrusted to them. • Proverbs 4:23 urges, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life”. • Revelation 3:3 warns the complacent church in Sardis: “If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you”. Vigilance thwarts loss—spiritually and practically. summary Matthew 24:43 teaches that because no one knows the exact moment of Christ’s return, continual watchfulness is essential. Just as a homeowner would stay alert if he knew a thief’s timing, believers are called to live in a state of readiness, guarding their lives and households through faithfulness, prayer, and obedience, so that the Lord’s sudden appearing finds them prepared rather than surprised. (43) But know this.--The verses from Matthew 24:42 to Matthew 24:51 have nothing corresponding to them in the reports of the discourse given by St. Mark and St. Luke, but are found almost verbatim in another discourse reported by St. Luke 12:42, et seq. Here, as elsewhere, we have to choose between the assumption of a repetition of the same words, or of a transfer of what was spoken on one occasion to another; and of the two, the former hypothesis seems the more probable. It may be noted, however, that the variations in the three reports of this discourse indicate a comparatively free treatment of it, the natural result, probably, of its having been often reproduced, wholly or in part, orally before it was committed to writing. On ordinary grounds of evidence, St. Mark's report, assuming his connection with St. Peter, would seem likely to come nearest to the very words spoken by our Lord.The goodman of the house.--Better, as in Matthew 20:1., householder. In what watch.--The night-watches were four in number, of three hours each. So in Luke 12:38, we have "the second or the third watch" specified. The allusion to the "thief coming" would seem to have passed into the proverbial saying, that the day of the Lord would come "as a thief in the night," quoted by St. Paul in 1Thessalonians 5:2. . . . Verse 43. - But know this; ἐκεῖνο δὲ γινώσκετε: illud autem scitote (Vulgate); or, this ye know. The Lord draws particular attention to what he is going to say, which is a strange and startling truth in a parabolic form (see Luke 12:39, etc.). The good man of the house; οἰκοδεσπότης: the master of the house; paterfamilias (Vulgate). If... had known... he would have watched. The form of the sentence (εἰ with indicative in the protasis, and α}ν with indicative aorist in the apodosis) implies that the result did not happen. The master may have made all secure as far as bolts and bars were concerned, but he did not keep awake, though he had reason to know that a thief was in the neighbourhood, and so was not ready to frustrate any attack made in an unsuspected manner. To be broken up; διορυγῆναι: to be digged through; perfodi (Vulgate). Houses constructed of sun-dried bricks, mud, or loose stones, could be easily pierced and entered without forcing shuttered window or barred door (comp. Job 24:16). The significance of the parable is easy to see. The householder is the disciple of Christ, the thief is Christ himself, who comes on the unwatchful when and where they expect him not. It is, indeed, a strange comparison, but one calculated to alarm the unwary, and to show the necessity of the caution enjoined. Similar warnings are found elsewhere; e.g. 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 4; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; Revelation 16:15. The exposition which regards the thief as the devil is not so suitable to the context.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Butδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. understand γινώσκετε (ginōskete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. this: ἐκεῖνο (ekeino) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. If εἰ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative 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. owner of the house οἰκοδεσπότης (oikodespotēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3617: A head of a household. From oikos and despotes; the head of a family. had known ᾔδει (ēdei) Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate. in 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. watch of the night φυλακῇ (phylakē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 5438: From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative 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. thief κλέπτης (kleptēs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2812: A thief. From klepto; a stealer. was coming, ἔρχεται (erchetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2064: To come, go. he would have kept watch ἐγρηγόρησεν (egrēgorēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular 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. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. {would} not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. have let εἴασεν (eiasen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1439: To allow, permit, let alone, leave. Of uncertain affinity; to let be, i.e. Permit or leave alone. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. house οἰκίαν (oikian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3614: From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family. be broken into. διορυχθῆναι (diorychthēnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive Strong's 1358: To dig through, break through. From dia and orusso; to penetrate burglariously. Links Matthew 24:43 NIVMatthew 24:43 NLT Matthew 24:43 ESV Matthew 24:43 NASB Matthew 24:43 KJV Matthew 24:43 BibleApps.com Matthew 24:43 Biblia Paralela Matthew 24:43 Chinese Bible Matthew 24:43 French Bible Matthew 24:43 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 24:43 But know this that if the master (Matt. Mat Mt) |
    |