Matthew 24 43

Matthew 24:43 kjv

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.

Matthew 24:43 nkjv

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.

Matthew 24:43 niv

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.

Matthew 24:43 esv

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.

Matthew 24:43 nlt

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.

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 43 Meaning

This verse conveys a critical truth through a relatable scenario: if a homeowner knew precisely when a thief would attack, they would undoubtedly prepare to prevent the theft. Jesus uses this common sense principle to emphasize the necessity of spiritual readiness and constant vigilance because the timing of His return (analogized to the thief's arrival) is unknown and will be sudden. It underscores that ignorance of the timing does not excuse unpreparedness but rather compels continuous watchfulness.

Matthew 24 43 Context

Matthew 24:43 is a crucial part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. This discourse (found in Matthew chapters 24 and 25) serves as Jesus' direct teaching regarding the destruction of the Temple and, more significantly, the signs and nature of His second coming. Preceding verse 43, Jesus describes a time of great tribulation and assures His disciples that He will indeed return, but without a specific timeframe known to anyone but the Father (Mt 24:36). He emphasizes the suddenness of His advent, likening it to the days of Noah, where people were unaware until the flood came (Mt 24:37-39). The verses immediately preceding (Mt 24:42) command watchfulness due to this unknown timing. Therefore, verse 43 directly supports and illustrates the call for constant readiness. Culturally, the image of a "thief breaking into a house" was a well-understood threat in ancient Judea, where homes often had walls made of easily breached materials like sun-dried brick, making the metaphor of diligent guarding against a nighttime intruder highly pertinent.

Matthew 24 43 Word analysis

• But understand this: (τοῦτο δὲ γινώσκετε - touto de ginōskete) This phrase acts as an emphatic call for attention, a directive to grasp a foundational truth. Ginōskete means "to know" in a comprehensive sense, implying not just intellectual assent but a deep, experiential understanding that should lead to action.
• If the owner of the house (εἰ ᾔδει ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης - ei ēdei ho oikodespotēs): The "owner of the house" represents the master or head of a household. In the context of the parable, this master symbolizes anyone responsible for their "house" – their life, their spiritual state, their duties before God. The Greek oikodespotēs denotes authority and stewardship. The hypothetical ei ēdei ("if he had known") highlights the contrast with the real situation where the time is not known.
• had known (ᾔδει - ēdei): This pluperfect tense verb signifies a completed action in the past had it occurred. It underscores that this foreknowledge is precisely what is absent, thus necessitating vigilance.
• at what time of night (ποίᾳ φυλακῇ τῇ νυκτός - poia phylakē tē nyktos): Phylakē here refers to a "watch" or period of night (e.g., first watch, second watch). Roman and Greek military practice divided the night into four watches, and this usage reflects a widespread concept of timed night patrols. The specific poia ("what specific") highlights the precise but unknown moment within any given night period.
• the thief (ὁ κλέπτης - ho kleptēs): The "thief" is a biblical metaphor used consistently to represent an unexpected, sudden, and potentially disruptive or unwelcome arrival (if one is unprepared). In eschatological contexts, it explicitly refers to the unanticipated return of Jesus Christ.
• was coming (ἔρχεται - erchetai): The present tense ("is coming" or "comes") can imply a continuous state or an imminent, yet ongoing, approach. It conveys an expected arrival, but without a definite schedule.
• he would have kept watch (ἐγρηγόρησεν ἄν - egrēgorēsen an): Grēgoreō means "to be watchful, to stay awake, to be vigilant." This is the core behavioral implication. If the owner had known, his response would have been sustained vigilance to prevent loss.
• and would not have let his house be broken into. (καὶ οὐκ ἂν ἀφῆκεν διορυχθῆναι αὐτοῦ τὴν οἰκίαν - kai ouk an aphēken dioruchthēnai autou tēn oikian): Dioruchthēnai (from diorussō) means "to dig through" or "to break through." Ancient homes, especially in poorer areas, were often built with unbaked mud bricks or wattle-and-daub, which could be relatively easily "dug through" by a thief. The negative ouk an aphēken implies that diligence would have absolutely prevented the violation.

• "thief in the night" (implied from the verse): This phrase captures the essence of sudden, unexpected arrival, highlighting that for those unprepared, Christ's return will be as surprising and unwelcomed as a thief for an unsuspecting homeowner.
• "keeping watch" / "stay awake": This concept, reinforced by various passages in the Olivet Discourse and other epistles, calls for active spiritual vigilance, characterized by preparedness, faithfulness in living, and devotion, not merely idle waiting. It stands in direct contrast to spiritual slumber or negligence.
• Conditional statement "If...then": This logical structure powerfully conveys the argument. Because the antecedent (knowing the time) is impossible, the consequence (avoiding being broken into / being unprepared) is only achievable through constant vigilance (the "keeping watch").

Matthew 24 43 Bonus section

The passage indirectly challenges any human attempt to predict the precise time of Christ's return, strongly implying that such efforts contradict Jesus' own explicit teaching. The very unknowability of the time serves as a spiritual motivator, shifting focus from chronological speculation to continuous ethical and spiritual readiness. This spiritual "watching" transcends mere physical wakefulness; it demands a perpetual readiness of heart, mind, and deeds, living as though each day might be the one. The warning about the "thief" also reminds us that while Christ's return is glorious for the redeemed, for the unprepared or unfaithful, it will carry consequences, analogous to a thief's unwanted intrusion.

Matthew 24 43 Commentary

Matthew 24:43 acts as a bridge from the definitive declaration of the unknown timing of Jesus' return (Mt 24:36) to the subsequent parables illustrating the absolute necessity of preparedness. Jesus draws upon a universally understood scenario: the homeowner's desire to protect his property from a nocturnal thief. The core message is that if knowledge of the thief's exact arrival time would guarantee vigilance, then the absence of that knowledge regarding Christ's coming must logically compel even greater, sustained watchfulness.

The "thief" metaphor highlights several critical aspects of Christ's return: its unexpectedness, its suddenness, and its potential to cause loss if one is not ready. Unlike a desired guest whose arrival is eagerly anticipated, a thief comes unannounced and usually at a vulnerable moment. Therefore, living in constant, spiritual readiness is paramount for every believer. This "watchfulness" is not passive waiting but active stewardship, righteous living, faithful service, and prayerful vigilance, ensuring that one is found in a state of grace and obedience when the Lord suddenly appears. The ultimate goal is to avoid the spiritual "loss" or negative consequences that would accompany being caught unprepared for His advent.