Matthew 24 44

Matthew 24:44 kjv

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 24:44 nkjv

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Matthew 24:44 niv

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Matthew 24:44 esv

Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Matthew 24:44 nlt

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

Matthew 24 verses

Matthew 24 44 Meaning

Matthew 24:44 serves as a crucial concluding exhortation within Jesus' Olivet Discourse. It unequivocally states that His return, referred to as the "coming of the Son of Man," will occur at an unexepected time. Therefore, believers are commanded to maintain a continuous state of readiness and watchfulness, emphasizing vigilance over attempts to predict the specific timing of this event.

Matthew 24 44 Context

Matthew 24:44 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, delivered to His disciples on the Mount of Olives after their questioning about the destruction of the Temple and the signs of His coming and the end of the age (Mtt 24:1-3). The preceding verses (Mtt 24:4-35) describe various signs, tribulations, and the universal manifestation of the Son of Man's coming after the "great tribulation." Crucially, Mtt 24:36 emphasizes that the exact day and hour are unknown, even to Jesus Himself, being known only by the Father.

Following this declaration, Jesus transitions from describing signs to a series of parables (the Flood, two men in a field, two women grinding) and exhortations. These narratives (Mtt 24:37-43) repeatedly underscore the sudden, unexpected nature of His return, akin to the days of Noah, when people were living oblivious to the impending judgment. Verse 44, therefore, serves as the direct application and concluding command drawn from these illustrations of unexpectedness: because the timing is unknown and His coming will be sudden, therefore you must be constantly ready. It sets the stage for further parables in Matthew 25 that illustrate the difference between prepared and unprepared believers. This verse functions as a polemic against speculation and date-setting, directing attention instead to vigilance and righteous living.

Matthew 24 44 Word analysis

• Therefore (διὰ τοῦτο, dia touto): This conjunctive phrase introduces a logical conclusion or a summary command based on the preceding information. It strongly links the need for readiness to the demonstrated certainty and unpredictable nature of the Son of Man's coming, as illustrated by the examples of Noah's day and the thief. It signifies that the reason for readiness is precisely the unknowability of the hour.
• you also (καὶ ὑμεῖς, kai humeis): The "you" refers specifically to the disciples, who had asked the questions, but the "also" indicates a broader application to all followers. It suggests that just as the people in Noah's day were caught unaware, so too you (disciples/believers) could be, unless prepared. It includes them in the scope of the warning and command, despite their proximity to Jesus.
• be ready (ἕτοιμοι ἔσεσθε, hetoimoi esesthe):
  • ἕτοιμοι (hetoimoi): Adjective meaning "ready," "prepared," "fit." It signifies a state of being in a constant condition of preparedness. It implies having completed necessary preparations beforehand.
  • ἔσεσθε (esesthe): Second person plural future indicative or imperative of the verb "to be." In this context, it functions as a strong imperative, meaning "you shall be" or "be you!" It demands an active, ongoing state of readiness, not a one-time event. This readiness is not just passive waiting, but active living in a manner pleasing to God. It encompasses spiritual, moral, and practical preparedness.
• for (ὅτι, hoti): This conjunction introduces the cause or reason for the command "be ready." It justifies the exhortation by stating the fundamental truth about the Son of Man's return.
• the Son of Man (ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ho Huios tou anthrōpou): Jesus' preferred self-designation throughout the Gospels. It carries a dual meaning: His human identification, connecting Him to humanity, but more significantly, a powerful eschatological and divine authority drawn from Daniel 7:13-14. In Daniel's vision, "one like a son of man" comes with the clouds of heaven and is given eternal dominion, glory, and a kingdom. By using this title, Jesus connects His earthly person to His glorious, transcendent, and authoritative future return as judge and king. It is a title signifying His ultimate power and judgment.
• is coming (ἔρχεται, erchetai): Present tense form of "to come," used here with future meaning ("will come"). This grammatical construction implies certainty and definiteness, suggesting an event that is absolutely certain to happen, as if it is already underway or imminent. It conveys not merely a possibility, but a divine decree and a foregone conclusion.
• at an hour (ὥρᾳ, hōra): Refers to a specific, definite point or period of time, though its exact nature is unknown. It highlights that the coming will be sudden and pinpointed in time, not a prolonged process, hence the urgency of constant readiness.
• you do not expect (οὐ δοκεῖτε, ou dokeite): Literally "you do not think" or "you do not suppose." It means "you least expect," "you think not to be the case." This phrase underscores the unpredictability of His return from a human perspective. It means it will happen contrary to human anticipation, calculation, or expectation. This directly opposes any human attempt to discern, predict, or manipulate the timing of His coming and condemns complacency or postponement based on such assumptions.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Therefore you also be ready": This powerful command flows logically from the prior warnings of an unexpected advent. It is an immediate and personal imperative. The inclusion of "also" (kai) draws the listeners directly into the application, emphasizing that even those who understand prophecy and listen to Jesus' words are not exempt from the need for vigilant, active preparedness. It counters the natural human tendency towards procrastination or assuming personal immunity.
• "for the Son of Man is coming": This clause provides the indisputable, absolute certainty that necessitates the readiness. It establishes the nature of the returning figure (divine authority, supreme judge) and the inevitability of the event. The "is coming" (present for future) underlines the decree of God, making it a settled fact, independent of human belief or readiness.
• "at an hour you do not expect": This crucial qualifier highlights the central paradox and challenge of eschatology. While the event is certain, its timing is utterly hidden from human knowledge and will deliberately defy human expectation. This negates all attempts at chronological speculation and renders them futile, emphasizing instead the singular command to live every moment in active anticipation and preparedness, as though Christ could return at any second.

Matthew 24 44 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on the unexpected nature of the Lord's return (like a thief in the night, or as in the days of Noah) highlights a deliberate divine strategy. If the exact time were known, it would tempt humanity towards either panicked last-minute preparation or cynical complacency, both of which miss the point of a relationship based on enduring faith and love. By concealing the precise timing, God fosters a continuous attitude of dependence, trust, and readiness based on the character of the believer rather than external signs or dates. This eschatological unpredictability demands perseverance in faithfulness, and it fuels the hope of the Parousia – the future, glorious presence and arrival of Jesus – while also serving as a powerful motivation for ongoing evangelism and righteous living. It means that every day is a day to live for Christ as if it were the last, without ceasing to plan and serve for the future.

Matthew 24 44 Commentary

Matthew 24:44 distills the essence of Jesus' teaching on His return: it is certain but unpredictable. Following illustrations of the unexpected flood in Noah's time and the thief breaking into a house, this verse serves as a direct, imperative conclusion: "Therefore you also be ready." The emphasis is not on knowing when He will come, but on how one should live in light of His inevitable, unannounced arrival.

The command to "be ready" (hetoimoi esesthe) signifies more than a passive state; it's an active, continuous spiritual preparedness. This involves living lives characterized by righteousness, obedience, watchfulness against sin and worldly distractions, and faithfully carrying out the tasks given by the Lord (as illustrated by the faithful servant in Mtt 24:45-51 and the virgins in Mtt 25:1-13). Readiness isn't about packing bags for an earthly trip or stockpiling supplies, but about one's heart, character, and stewardship.

The title "Son of Man" here underscores the authority and glory of the One who will return as judge and king, reinforcing the weight of the command. The phrase "at an hour you do not expect" directly challenges any notion of date-setting or complacent living based on a perceived delay. It creates an existential tension: live as if He could return at any moment, yet continue faithfully laboring for His kingdom knowing that only the Father knows the appointed time. The wisdom of this teaching lies in redirecting focus from speculative chronology to immediate spiritual diligence and holy living, recognizing that true preparation is a lifelong orientation of the heart towards Christ.

Examples:

• A student diligently studies every day, not just the night before a surprise test.
• A soldier is always alert and disciplined, ready for a sudden command, rather than relaxing on duty.
• A homeowner ensures the house is well-maintained, ready for an unexpected inspection by the landlord.