Luke 12:39
But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just about being ready, but highlights that the homeowner's readiness is directly tied to knowing when the thief will come. This reveals that our preparation for Christ’s return isn’t a passive waiting, but an active, discerning watch informed by His promises, not specific timings.
Jesus has just warned against greed after a man interrupts his teaching to demand his inheritance. He then pivots to urging his disciples to be watchful and ready for his return, using parables to illustrate the urgency of this spiritual preparedness. This verse introduces the analogy of a thief breaking into a house, highlighting how vigilance prevents disaster when the timing is known.
Imagine coming home to find your house ransacked! It's a jarring experience, right? Jesus uses this stark image to make a profound point.
In Luke 12:39, Jesus highlights a crucial detail: the homeowner would have prevented the burglary if only they'd known when the thief was coming.
Prevention Through Knowledge
The core of the illustration is about foresight and preparedness. If the master had 'foreknowledge' – if he knew the 'hour' (the specific time) the thief would strike – he would have taken action. He wouldn't have left his 'house' (his home, his security) vulnerable.
This isn't just about property; it's about the devastating consequences of being caught unaware. The thief's success hinges entirely on the master's ignorance of the timing.
The thief will eventually come. But what about the Master's return? Jesus clarifies the stakes involved.
Jesus pivots from the hypothetical scenario of the known thief to the reality of His own return. He says, 'Be therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.' (Luke 12:40)
An Unknown Hour, A Certain Event
The thief's hour was unknown, making vigilance essential. Similarly, the 'hour' of the Son of Man's coming is deliberately kept unknown to us. This uncertainty isn't a bug; it's a feature designed to keep us perpetually ready.
The implication is profound: while the timing is hidden, the certainty of His coming is absolute. And just as the homeowner would guard against a known threat, we are called to guard our hearts and lives against His return, even though we don't know the exact moment.
Understand the original words
kleptēs · Greek Noun
A common metaphor in Scripture for the unexpected, intrusive, and sudden nature of the Lord's second coming, emphasizing the need for constant watchfulness.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' teaching on watchfulness, using the same imagery of a thief in the night to emphasize the unexpected nature of His coming.
1 Thessalonians 5:2Paul echoes this warning, stating that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, urging believers to be alert and sober.
1 Peter 3:10Peter applies the same thief imagery to encourage believers to live righteously, as they await the day of the Lord, which will come suddenly.
Revelation 16:15John includes Jesus' own words about coming like a thief, highlighting the importance of staying alert and clothed in righteousness to avoid shame.
Luke 21:34Jesus explicitly warns His followers to 'take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap,' which is the consequence of not watching.
jfbLuke 12:13-53: "And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me."
Lu 12:13-53. Covetousness—Watchfulness—Superiority to Earthly Ties.13. Master, &c.—that is, "Great Preacher of righteousness, help; there is need of Thee in this rapacious world; here am I the victim of injustice, and that from my own brother, who withholds from me my rightful share of the inheritance that has fallen to us." In this most inopportune intrusion upon the sole…
pulpitLuke 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."
Verses 39, 40. - 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. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. The Lord abruptly changes the scene of his parable…
The verse isn't just about being ready, but highlights that the homeowner's readiness is directly tied to knowing when the thief will come. This reveals that our preparation for Christ’s return isn’t a passive waiting, but an active, discerning watch informed by His promises, not specific timings.
Jesus has just warned against greed after a man interrupts his teaching to demand his inheritance. He then pivots to urging his disciples to be watchful and ready for his return, using parables to illustrate the urgency of this spiritual preparedness. This verse introduces the analogy of a thief breaking into a house, highlighting how vigilance prevents disaster when the timing is known.
Jesus has just warned against greed after a man interrupts his teaching to demand his inheritance. He then pivots to urging his disciples to be watchful and ready for his return, using parables to illustrate the urgency of this spiritual preparedness. This verse introduces the analogy of a thief breaking into a house, highlighting how vigilance prevents disaster when the timing is known.
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"But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into." — The verse isn't just about being ready, but highlights that the homeowner's readiness is directly tied to knowing when the thief will come. This reveals that our preparation for Christ’s return i…
