Luke 12:39
◄  Luke 12:39  ►
New International Version (©2011)
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

New Living Translation (©2007)
"Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into.

English Standard Version (©2001)
But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
But know this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

International Standard Version (©2012)
But be sure of this: if the homeowner had known at what time the thief were coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into.

NET Bible (©2006)
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
“Know this, that if the owner of a house had known in which watch a thief would come, he would have been awakened and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.”

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
"Of course, you realize that if the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let him break into his house.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And this know, that if the owner of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have allowed his house to be broken through.

American King James Version
And this know, that if the manager of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

American Standard Version
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But this know ye, that if the householder did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch, and would not suffer his house to be broken open.

Darby Bible Translation
But this know, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be dug through.

English Revised Version
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.

Webster's Bible Translation
And this know, that if the master of the house knew at what hour the thief would come, he would watch, and not suffer his house to be broken through.

Weymouth New Testament
Of this be sure, that if the master of the house had known what time the robber was coming, he would have kept awake and not have allowed his house to be broken into.

World English Bible
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into.

Young's Literal Translation
'And this know, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief doth come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

12:22-40 Christ largely insisted upon this caution not to give way to disquieting, perplexing cares, Mt 6:25-34. The arguments here used are for our encouragement to cast our care upon God, which is the right way to get ease. As in our stature, so in our state, it is our wisdom to take it as it is. An eager, anxious pursuit of the things of this world, even necessary things, ill becomes the disciples of Christ. Fears must not prevail; when we frighten ourselves with thoughts of evil to come, and put ourselves upon needless cares how to avoid it. If we value the beauty of holiness, we shall not crave the luxuries of life. Let us then examine whether we belong to this little flock. Christ is our Master, and we are his servants; not only working servants, but waiting servants. We must be as men that wait for their lord, that sit up while he stays out late, to be ready to receive him. In this Christ alluded to his own ascension to heaven, his coming to call his people to him by death, and his return to judge the world. We are uncertain as to the time of his coming to us, we should therefore be always ready. If men thus take care of their houses, let us be thus wise for our souls. Be ye therefore ready also; as ready as the good man of the house would be, if he knew at what hour the thief would come.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 39, 40. - And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. The Lord abruptly changes the scene of his parable imagery, and with another striking and vivid example enforces his teaching on the subject of the urgent necessity of his servants keeping a sleepless and diligent watch and ward against his coming again in judgment. Very deeply must this image of the Lord's sudden return, as a thief breaks into the house in the still hours of the night, have impressed itself on the hearts of the awe-struck, listening disciples, for we find in the case of SS. Paul and Peter the very words and imagery, and in the case of St. John the imagery again made use of (see 1 Thessalonians 5:1, 2; 1 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; Revelation 16:15). The meaning of the simile is obvious. The disciples and all followers of Jesus would do well to remain always on the watch for the second advent of the Lord. The time of that awful return was unknown, never could be known; men, however, must not be deceived by the long tarrying; the clay of the Lord would surely come on the world as a thief in the night.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And this know,.... The Ethiopic version reads, "this only know"; only take notice of this one thing, and it may be of some use to direct you in your conduct how to behave during the absence of your Lord, until the time he shall come again:

that if the good man of the house had known what hour the thief would come; that is, if the owner, or master of the house, whose the goods in the house are, could by any means know what time of the night the thief would come to break into his house, in order to plunder it, and carry off his goods:

he would have watched; either he himself in person, or he would have set a watch about his house, or in it:

and not have suffered his house to be broken through; either the door to be broken up, or the wall to be dug through, but by a guard about it, or within it, would have prevented such a design. And so in like manner, could it be known in what time Christ would come, either to the destruction of Jerusalem, or at death, or to judgment, every thoughtful, prudent man that should know it, would be upon his guard, that he might not be surprised with it; and though the precise time could not be known, yet inasmuch as the thing itself is certain, it became all the servants of Christ to be watching for it; See Gill on Matthew 24:43.

Luke 12:39 Parallel Commentaries

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Be Ready for Service
…38And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39And this know, that if the manager of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 40Be you therefore ready also: for the Son of man comes at an hour when you think not. …

Matthew 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Matthew 24:42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Matthew 24:43 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 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Revelation 3:3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
Revelation 16:15 "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed."