You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that the Son of Man's return will be unexpected, not just in timing, but in the way he comes. It's not just about a surprise appearance, but a reckoning that catches people unaware, like a thief in the night.
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is teaching his disciples about prioritizing spiritual readiness over worldly anxieties, using parables about servants waiting for their master. This culminates in a call to be vigilant, as he will return unexpectedly, just as a thief would come at an unpredictable hour. The verses following this one begin to explore the implications of this call to readiness, differentiating between faithful and unfaithful servants.
Jesus says his coming will be sudden, like a thief in the night. What does this urgency mean for how we live today?
Jesus' words in Luke 12:40 aren't just a future prediction; they carry a powerful, immediate call to action. He uses the analogy of a thief who strikes when least expected to emphasize that his return will catch most people by surprise.
This wasn't a one-time warning for the original disciples but a principle for all believers throughout history. The exact timing is unknown, and that uncertainty is precisely the point. It calls us to a state of constant readiness, not out of fear, but out of a deep trust in God's sovereignty and a desire to be found faithful when our Lord appears.
Jesus compares his followers to servants waiting for their master. What kind of readiness does this involve?
The context surrounding Luke 12:40 paints a picture of diligent servants. Jesus likens his followers to those who are waiting for their master's return, ready to open the door immediately. This isn't passive waiting; it involves active preparation.
Think of it like this: If you were expecting a very important guest, you wouldn't just sit around; you'd ensure the house is tidy, perhaps prepare some refreshments, and be alert for their arrival. Jesus calls us to a similar active readiness in our spiritual lives. This means staying engaged in our faith, fulfilling our duties, and living in a way that honors God, so that when He comes, we are found 'doing his will' and not caught off guard by negligence or sin.
Understand the original words
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huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A messianic title used by Jesus referring to Himself as the divine representative, the suffering servant, and the future Judge who possesses universal authority; it points to Daniel 7:13-14.
hetoimos · Greek Adjective
The state of being prepared, equipped, or fitted for a task or event; in a theological context, it refers to the ongoing readiness of the believer for the Lord's return through faith and sanctification.
This teaching from Jesus, recorded in Luke, urges constant readiness for his return, a message that held immediate relevance for his disciples facing potential judgment and the eventual destruction of Jerusalem, as well as for all believers anticipating the final judgment.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Teaches and Warns Disciples
Jesus delivers a series of teachings and parables about faithfulness, stewardship, and readiness for his return, including the parable of the faithful servant.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Growing Opposition
Jesus' public ministry continues, marked by growing tension with religious authorities who see his teachings and actions as a threat.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman army, under Titus, destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, a catastrophic event that profoundly impacted Jewish life and was seen by many Christians as a fulfillment of Jesus' prophecies.
This passage parallels Luke 12:40 by using the thief analogy to emphasize the unexpected nature of the Son of Man's coming and the need for constant readiness.
1 Thessalonians 5:2This verse echoes the theme of unexpectedness, stating that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night, directly supporting the urgency and surprise emphasized in Luke 12:40.
Revelation 16:15This verse directly quotes Jesus saying, 'Behold, I am coming like a thief!' offering a potent, apocalyptic reinforcement of the warning found in Luke 12:40.
Matthew 25:13This verse serves as a direct exhortation to 'stay awake and be ready,' reinforcing the core message of Luke 12:40 by linking watchfulness to the coming of the bridegroom, which represents Christ.
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…
clarkeLuke 12:40: "Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."
Be ye therefore ready also - It is pretty evident that what is related here, from Luke 12:35 to Luke 12:49 , was spoken by our Lord at another time. See Matthew 24:42 (note), etc., and the notes there.
The verse emphasizes that the Son of Man's return will be unexpected, not just in timing, but in the way he comes. It's not just about a surprise appearance, but a reckoning that catches people unaware, like a thief in the night.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about prioritizing spiritual readiness over worldly anxieties, using parables about servants waiting for their master. This culminates in a call to be vigilant, as he will return unexpectedly, just as a thief would come at an unpredictable hour. The verses following this one begin to explore the implications of this call to readiness, differentiating between faithful and unfaithful servants.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about prioritizing spiritual readiness over worldly anxieties, using parables about servants waiting for their master. This culminates in a call to be vigilant, as he will return unexpectedly, just as a thief would come at an unpredictable hour. The verses following this one begin to explore the implications of this call to readiness, differentiating between faithful and unfaithful servants.
"You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”" — The verse emphasizes that the Son of Man's return will be unexpected, not just in timing, but in the way he comes. It's not just about a surprise appearance, but a reckoning that catches people una…
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Last reviewed October 2026