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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just say the homeowner would have stayed awake if they knew the time, but that they would not have let his house be broken into. This highlights that knowledge not only prompts a reaction (staying awake) but also empowers prevention, showing that preparedness leads to protection against the unexpected.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is continuing his discourse on the end times, likening his return to the coming of a thief in the night. He just urged his disciples to "watch," and this verse explains why constant readiness is so crucial. This parable emphasizes that just as a homeowner would guard against a thief if they knew the time, so believers must be ready for Christ's unpredictable return.
Why does Jesus use a thief to illustrate his return? It's not just about surprise; it's about a crucial difference between human uncertainty and divine knowledge.
Jesus uses the analogy of a homeowner and a thief to highlight the unpredictable nature of his return. The homeowner wishes he knew when the thief would come, because if he did know, he would surely prepare and protect his home.
This points to a vital truth: We, unlike the homeowner in the parable, do have knowledge. We know that the Master is coming back. We know it will be sudden and unexpected for the unprepared. This isn't about figuring out the exact hour, but about understanding the reality of his return and acting on that knowledge.
Jesus isn't just telling us to set an alarm clock for his return. The 'watching' he calls for is deeper than mere alertness.
The homeowner in the parable would 'have stayed awake' (or 'watched'). This implies more than just physical wakefulness; it's about being alert and prepared. When Jesus applies this to his followers, the call to 'watch' means maintaining a spiritual readiness. It involves living a life aligned with God's will, actively engaging in the tasks he has assigned, and guarding against the spiritual slumber of sin or complacency.
The contrast is stark: the unprepared homeowner suffers loss, while the prepared servant (as seen in the following verses) is blessed. True readiness isn't passive; it's an active, ongoing posture of the heart and life.
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Understand the original words
kleptes · Greek Noun
A term used in the New Testament to signify the sudden, unexpected, and potentially intrusive nature of Christ's return, comparing it to an unwelcome intruder who strikes when one is unprepared.
This passage directly echoes the imagery of Jesus' teaching, stating that the Day of the Lord will come 'like a thief in the night,' highlighting the unexpected and sudden nature of Christ's return.
Luke 12:39Luke's parallel account emphasizes the same lesson about vigilance, using the identical analogy of a homeowner unaware of when a thief might break in, urging readiness.
2 Peter 3:10Peter reiterates the thief analogy, underscoring that the Lord's coming will be as unexpected as a thief's arrival, reinforcing the urgency for believers to be prepared.
Matthew 24:44Immediately following this verse, Jesus explicitly connects the thief analogy to his own coming, commanding his followers to 'be ready' because he will arrive at an hour they do not expect.
Revelation 3:3In a message to one of the churches, Jesus again uses the thief imagery, warning that if they do not remain watchful, he will come upon them like a thief, emphasizing the need for constant spiritual alertness.
vincentMatthew 24:43: "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."
Would come (ἔπχεται)Rev., was coming. But the present is graphically thrown in as in vv, Matthew 24:40, Matthew 24:41 : is coming or cometh.Broken up (διορυγῆναι)Rev., broken through. See on Matthew 6:19. Wyc., undermined.
barnesMatthew 24:43: "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."
But know this ... - If a man knew the hour, or "about the hour," when a robber would come, he would be ready for him. So you know not the exact hour, but you know it is near, when the Son of man will come. He will come suddenly, as a thief comes, without giving previous warning, 1 Thessalonians 5:2 ; 2 Peter…
The verse doesn't just say the homeowner would have stayed awake if they knew the time, but that they would not have let his house be broken into. This highlights that knowledge not only prompts a reaction (staying awake) but also empowers prevention, showing that preparedness leads to protection against the unexpected.
Jesus is continuing his discourse on the end times, likening his return to the coming of a thief in the night. He just urged his disciples to "watch," and this verse explains why constant readiness is so crucial. This parable emphasizes that just as a homeowner would guard against a thief if they knew the time, so believers must be ready for Christ's unpredictable return.
Jesus is continuing his discourse on the end times, likening his return to the coming of a thief in the night. He just urged his disciples to "watch," and this verse explains why constant readiness is so crucial. This parable emphasizes that just as a homeowner would guard against a thief if they knew the time, so believers must be ready for Christ's unpredictable return.
"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." — The verse doesn't just say the homeowner would have stayed awake if they knew the time, but that they would not have let his house be broken into. This highlights that knowledge not only prompts…
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Last reviewed October 2026