Matthew 24 42

Matthew 24:42 kjv

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

Matthew 24:42 nkjv

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

Matthew 24:42 niv

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

Matthew 24:42 esv

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

Matthew 24:42 nlt

"So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming.

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 42 Meaning

Matthew 24:42 issues a clear directive for continuous spiritual vigilance and preparedness among believers. It underscores the vital necessity for followers of Jesus to remain watchful, alert, and living righteously at all times. The command stems from the inherent uncertainty surrounding the precise moment of the Lord's return, highlighting that its unexpected nature demands perpetual readiness, rather than episodic attention. This readiness is a lifestyle of discipleship, acknowledging Christ's certain return but unknown timing.

Matthew 24 42 Context

Matthew chapter 24 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives shortly before His crucifixion. This discourse is a comprehensive prophetic teaching that addresses multiple future events: the destruction of the Jerusalem temple (v. 1-2), the signs preceding His Second Coming, and His return itself. Verses 4-14 speak of general signs of the end, such as wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecution. Verses 15-28 detail the "abomination of desolation" and the great tribulation. Verses 29-31 describe Christ's majestic return. Critically, verses 36-41 assert that the exact time of His return is known only to the Father, likening it to the unexpected flood in Noah's day, where people were unaware until judgment came.

Verse 42 flows directly from this premise of unknowable timing. Having established the certainty and unexpected nature of His coming, Jesus logically transitions to the imperative of readiness. The subsequent parables (the faithful and wise servant, the ten virgins, the talents) in chapters 24 and 25 further illustrate and emphasize this command for sustained vigilance and responsible stewardship in light of the Lord's anticipated, yet unpredictable, return. The audience, largely Jewish believers and prospective disciples, would understand the eschatological anticipation common in their tradition, but Jesus refocuses it on ethical and spiritual preparedness rather than speculative dating.

Matthew 24 42 Word analysis

• Therefore (Οὖν, Oun): This conjunctive particle serves as a logical conclusion, connecting the imperative of readiness in this verse to the preceding teaching in Matthew 24:36-41 about the unknown time of Christ's return and the suddenness of judgment. It indicates that the instruction is a direct consequence of what has just been stated.

• stay awake (γρηγορεῖτε, grēgoreite): This is an imperative verb, meaning "be watchful," "be vigilant," or "wake up." It implies not just physical wakefulness but spiritual alertness and readiness. The term frequently contrasts with spiritual slumber or apathy (cf. Rom 13:11, Eph 5:14). It refers to an active, ongoing state of preparedness, rather than a passive waiting.

• for (γάρ, gar): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the command to "stay awake." It points back to the reason already given: the unpredictability of the Lord's return.

• you do not know (οὐκ οἴδατε, ouk oidate): This phrase highlights the disciples' (and humanity's) fundamental ignorance regarding the timing of Christ's return. It is a direct and forceful negation of any possibility of discerning the exact "day" or "hour." This human limitation necessitates constant readiness.

• on what day (ποίᾳ ἡμέρᾳ, poia hēmera): Refers specifically to the exact day of the event, emphasizing the lack of precise knowledge about the timing. "Day" here signifies a momentous and definitive occasion, "the Day of the Lord."

• your Lord (ὁ Κύριος ὑμῶν, ho Kyrios hymōn): "Kyrios" means Lord or Master. This appellation emphasizes Jesus' divine authority and His proprietorship over His followers. His "coming" is therefore an act of sovereignty. The possessive "your" highlights the personal relationship and accountability believers have to Him.

• is coming (ἔρχεται, erchetai): This verb is in the present tense but has a definite future implication, indicating an imminent and certain future event. It signifies the Second Coming (Parousia) of Christ, emphasizing its inevitability.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Therefore stay awake, for you do not know": This phrase combines the urgent command with the underlying justification. The logical link established by "therefore" and the explanatory "for" clearly positions human ignorance regarding the exact timing as the direct catalyst for mandated, continuous spiritual vigilance.
  • "on what day your Lord is coming": This group focuses on the specifics of the coming event. "On what day" stresses the unannounced timing, while "your Lord is coming" confirms the certainty, nature, and the identity of the one who will return, establishing the personal accountability to this sovereign Lord.

Matthew 24 42 Bonus section

The injunction to "stay awake" or "be watchful" carries strong metaphorical weight throughout the New Testament, frequently associated with eschatological readiness but also with sobriety of mind, guarding against false teaching, and persevering through trials. This theme often contrasts with spiritual "sleep" (Rom 13:11), which represents a state of moral carelessness, spiritual indifference, or unpreparedness. The emphasis is not on anxious dread but on diligent living born of confident hope and reverent fear. The concept also aligns with Old Testament prophetic calls to watch for the "Day of the Lord," an often-unannounced time of divine visitation, judgment, and redemption. Thus, Matthew 24:42 connects Christ's New Covenant teaching with a longstanding biblical theme of human accountability to a sovereign God whose interventions occur on His own timeline.

Matthew 24 42 Commentary

Matthew 24:42 is a central call to vigilance within the Olivet Discourse, forming the practical application of Jesus' eschatological teaching. It moves from general prophecy and the signs of the end (Mt 24:1-31) and the explicit statement about the unknowable hour (Mt 24:36-41) to a direct imperative for believers. The essence is that because the precise moment of Christ's parousia (coming) remains hidden, continuous watchfulness is not merely advisable but essential. This vigilance transcends mere anticipation; it mandates a proactive and Spirit-filled lifestyle. It requires believers to live daily in a state of spiritual readiness, engaging in righteous conduct, faithful stewardship, and unwavering devotion, as if Christ's return could happen at any moment. It is a safeguard against spiritual apathy and encourages consistent discipleship. The command combats both casual indifference and obsessive, date-setting speculation, grounding Christian hope and activity in present responsibility informed by a certain future.

Examples of practical application:

• Living each day with intentionality, seeking to honor God in thoughts, words, and deeds.
• Prioritizing spiritual growth and obedience over worldly pursuits.
• Maintaining active prayer lives and fellowship with other believers.
• Engaging in selfless service and fulfilling the Great Commission.