Matthew 24:43 But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

◄ Matthew 24:43 ►

New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

Berean Literal Bible
And know this, that if the master of the house had known in what time of night the thief comes, he would have watched and not have allowed his house to be broken into.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

NASB 1995
“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

NASB 1977
“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

Legacy Standard Bible
But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

Amplified Bible
But understand this: If the head of the house had known what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

Christian Standard Bible
But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into.

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

Contemporary English Version
Homeowners never know when a thief is coming, and they are always on guard to keep one from breaking in.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You realize that if a homeowner had known at what time of the night a thief was coming, he would have stayed awake. He would not have let the thief break into his house.

Good News Translation
If the owner of a house knew the time when the thief would come, you can be sure that he would stay awake and not let the thief break into his house.

International Standard Version
But be sure of this: if the owner of the house had known when during the night the thief would be coming, he would have stayed awake and not allowed his house to be broken into.

Majority Standard Bible
But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

NET Bible
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have been alert and would not have let his house be broken into.

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

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

Weymouth New Testament
But of this be assured, that if the master of the house had known the hour at which 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 watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief comes, he had watched, and did not permit his house to be broken through;

Berean Literal Bible
And know this, that if the master of the house had known in what time of night the thief comes, he would have watched and not have allowed his house to be broken into.

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

Smith's Literal Translation
But know this, that if the master of the house had known what watch the thief comes, he had watched, and would not have suffered his house to be undermined.

Catholic Translations

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

Catholic Public Domain Version
But know this: if only the father of the family knew at what hour the thief would arrive, he would certainly keep vigil and not permit his house to be broken into.

New American Bible
Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.

New Revised Standard Version
But understand this: if the owner 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.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But know this much, that if the master of the house knew at what watch of the night the thief comes, he would keep awake and would not let his house be plundered.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But know this: if the house owner had known in what watch the robber would come, he would have been awake and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
But know this, That if the master of the house had known at what watch the thief comes, he would have watched, and would not have permitted his house to be broken open.

Godbey New Testament
But know this, that if the landlord knew at what watch the thief cometh, he would have watched, and would not have permitted his house to be broken into.

Haweis New Testament
And this observe, that if the master of the family had known in which watch of the night the thief would have come, he would have watched, and not have suffered him to break into his house.

Mace New Testament
but this you conceive, that if a man knew at what hour of the night the thief would come, he would set a watch, and not suffer his house to be broke open.

Weymouth New Testament
But of this be assured, that if the master of the house had known the hour at which the robber was coming, he would have kept awake, and not have allowed his house to be broken into.

Worrell New Testament
But know this, that, had the householder known at what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through.

Worsley New Testament
but this ye know, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broke open: therefore be ye also ready;

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Readiness at Any Hour
…42Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Thessalonians 5:2
For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

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 its works will be laid bare.

Revelation 3:3
Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.

Luke 12:39-40
But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. / You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”

Mark 13:34-37
It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch. / Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. / Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping. ...

1 Thessalonians 5:4
But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.

Revelation 16:15
“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.”

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Matthew 25:13
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Luke 21:34-36
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. / For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. / So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Proverbs 6:6-8
Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest.

Proverbs 24:33-34
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, / and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.

Ezekiel 33:6
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the horn to warn the people, and the sword comes and takes away a life, then that one will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’

Joel 2:9
They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves.

Isaiah 56:10
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

Treasury of Scripture

But know this, that if the manager 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.

good-man.

Matthew 20:11
And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

Proverbs 7:19
For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

had.

Luke 12:39
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.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night…

2 Peter 3:10,11
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up…

would not.

Exodus 22:2,3
If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him…

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Matthew 24

1. Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple;
3. what and how great calamities shall be before it;
29. the signs of his coming to judgment.
36. And because that day and hour are unknown,
42. we ought to watch like good servants, expecting our Master's coming.

Berean Study Bible

But understand this
The phrase begins with a call to attention, urging the listener to grasp the importance of the message. The Greek word for "understand" is "γινώσκω" (ginōskō), which implies a deep, experiential knowledge. This is not merely intellectual assent but a profound comprehension that affects one's actions. In the context of Jesus' teachings, it is a call to spiritual vigilance and readiness, emphasizing the necessity of being aware and prepared for the unexpected.

If the homeowner
The "homeowner" represents an individual with responsibility and authority over their domain. In the Greek, "οἰκοδεσπότης" (oikodespotēs) combines "oikos" (house) and "despotēs" (master), indicating someone who has control and stewardship. This metaphorical figure can be seen as a representation of believers who are entrusted with the care of their spiritual lives and communities, highlighting the importance of vigilance in safeguarding what has been entrusted to them.

had known
The phrase "had known" suggests foreknowledge or awareness. The Greek "εἰδώς" (eidōs) implies a certainty or understanding that comes from seeing or perceiving. This highlights the human limitation in predicting future events, contrasting with God's omniscience. It serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the need for constant readiness, as one cannot rely on knowing the exact timing of significant events.

in which watch of the night
The "watch of the night" refers to the divisions of time during the night when guards would be on duty. In the historical context, the night was divided into four watches, each lasting about three hours. This phrase underscores the uncertainty of timing, as the exact moment of the thief's arrival is unknown. It serves as a metaphor for the unexpected nature of Christ's return, urging believers to maintain vigilance at all times.

the thief was coming
The "thief" is a common biblical metaphor for sudden and unexpected events, often used to describe the return of Christ. The Greek word "κλέπτης" (kleptēs) conveys the idea of stealth and surprise. This imagery emphasizes the need for constant spiritual alertness, as the timing of such events is unpredictable. It serves as a warning against complacency and a call to live in a state of readiness.

he would have kept watch
To "keep watch" implies active vigilance and alertness. The Greek "γρηγορέω" (grēgoreō) means to be awake or watchful. This is a call to spiritual awareness, encouraging believers to be attentive to their spiritual condition and the signs of the times. It suggests a proactive stance in one's faith journey, being prepared for the Lord's return at any moment.

and would not have let his house be broken into
The phrase "let his house be broken into" speaks to the consequences of neglect and lack of vigilance. The Greek "διορύσσω" (dioryssō) means to dig through or break in, often referring to the way ancient homes, made of mud bricks, could be easily breached. This serves as a metaphor for spiritual vulnerability, warning believers of the dangers of spiritual negligence. It underscores the importance of safeguarding one's faith and being prepared for the Lord's return, to prevent spiritual loss or damage.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(43) But know this.--The verses from Matthew 24:42 to Matthew 24:51 have nothing corresponding to them in the reports of the discourse given by St. Mark and St. Luke, but are found almost verbatim in another discourse reported by St. Luke 12:42, et seq. Here, as elsewhere, we have to choose between the assumption of a repetition of the same words, or of a transfer of what was spoken on one occasion to another; and of the two, the former hypothesis seems the more probable. It may be noted, however, that the variations in the three reports of this discourse indicate a comparatively free treatment of it, the natural result, probably, of its having been often reproduced, wholly or in part, orally before it was committed to writing. On ordinary grounds of evidence, St. Mark's report, assuming his connection with St. Peter, would seem likely to come nearest to the very words spoken by our Lord.

The goodman of the house.--Better, as in Matthew 20:1., householder.

In what watch.--The night-watches were four in number, of three hours each. So in Luke 12:38, we have "the second or the third watch" specified. The allusion to the "thief coming" would seem to have passed into the proverbial saying, that the day of the Lord would come "as a thief in the night," quoted by St. Paul in 1Thessalonians 5:2. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 43. - But know this; ἐκεῖνο δὲ γινώσκετε: illud autem scitote (Vulgate); or, this ye know. The Lord draws particular attention to what he is going to say, which is a strange and startling truth in a parabolic form (see Luke 12:39, etc.). The good man of the house; οἰκοδεσπότης: the master of the house; paterfamilias (Vulgate). If... had known... he would have watched. The form of the sentence (εἰ with indicative in the protasis, and α}ν with indicative aorist in the apodosis) implies that the result did not happen. The master may have made all secure as far as bolts and bars were concerned, but he did not keep awake, though he had reason to know that a thief was in the neighbourhood, and so was not ready to frustrate any attack made in an unsuspected manner. To be broken up; διορυγῆναι: to be digged through; perfodi (Vulgate). Houses constructed of sun-dried bricks, mud, or loose stones, could be easily pierced and entered without forcing shuttered window or barred door (comp. Job 24:16). The significance of the parable is easy to see. The householder is the disciple of Christ, the thief is Christ himself, who comes on the unwatchful when and where they expect him not. It is, indeed, a strange comparison, but one calculated to alarm the unwary, and to show the necessity of the caution enjoined. Similar warnings are found elsewhere; e.g. 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 4; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; Revelation 16:15. The exposition which regards the thief as the devil is not so suitable to the context.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

understand
γινώσκετε (ginōskete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

this:
ἐκεῖνο (ekeino)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

If
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

owner of the house
οἰκοδεσπότης (oikodespotēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3617: A head of a household. From oikos and despotes; the head of a family.

had known
ᾔδει (ēdei)
Verb - Pluperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

in which
ποίᾳ (poia)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4169: Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.

watch of the night
φυλακῇ (phylakē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5438: From phulasso; a guarding or, the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or, the time, literally or figuratively.

the
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

thief
κλέπτης (kleptēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2812: A thief. From klepto; a stealer.

was coming,
ἔρχεται (erchetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

he would have kept watch
ἐγρηγόρησεν (egrēgorēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1127: (a) I am awake (in the night), watch, (b) I am watchful, on the alert, vigilant. From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

{would} not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

have let
εἴασεν (eiasen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1439: To allow, permit, let alone, leave. Of uncertain affinity; to let be, i.e. Permit or leave alone.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

house
οἰκίαν (oikian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3614: From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family.

be broken into.
διορυχθῆναι (diorychthēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 1358: To dig through, break through. From dia and orusso; to penetrate burglariously.

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NT Gospels: Matthew 24:43 But know this that if the master (Matt. Mat Mt)