Luke 12:40
New International Version
You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

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

English Standard Version
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Berean Standard Bible
You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”

Berean Literal Bible
You also, be ready; for the Son of Man comes in the hour you do not expect."

King James Bible
Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

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

New American Standard Bible
You too, be ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think He will.

NASB 1995
“You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

NASB 1977
“You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

Legacy Standard Bible
You too, be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

Amplified Bible
You too, be continually ready; because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

Christian Standard Bible
You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."”

American Standard Version
Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Contemporary English Version
So always be ready! You don't know when the Son of Man will come.

English Revised Version
Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Be ready, because the Son of Man will return when you least expect him."

Good News Translation
And you, too, must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him."

International Standard Version
So be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at a time when you don't expect him."

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”

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

New Heart English Bible
Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you do not expect him."

Webster's Bible Translation
Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Weymouth New Testament
Be you also ready, for at an hour when you are not expecting Him the Son of Man will come."

World English Bible
Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don’t expect him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you, then, become ready, because at the hour you do not think, the Son of Man comes.”

Berean Literal Bible
You also, be ready; for the Son of Man comes in the hour you do not expect."

Young's Literal Translation
and ye, then, become ye ready, because at the hour ye think not, the Son of Man doth come.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And be ye therefore ready: for in the time which ye think not the Son of man is coming.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not, the Son of man will come.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You also must be prepared. For the Son of man will return at an hour that you will not realize.”

New American Bible
You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

New Revised Standard Version
You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore, you also be ready; for the Son of man will come in that very hour which you do not expect.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Be you also ready therefore, for in that hour when you are not expecting, The Son of Man comes.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Be you, therefore, ready also; for at an hour when you think not, the Son of man comes.

Godbey New Testament
Be ye also ready: because at an hour you do not think the Son of man cometh.

Haweis New Testament
Therefore be ye also ready, for at an hour that ye think not of, the Son of man cometh.

Mace New Testament
be ye therefore likewise prepar'd; for the son of man will come, when you least expect him.

Weymouth New Testament
Be you also ready, for at an hour when you are not expecting Him the Son of Man will come."

Worrell New Testament
Be ye also ready; because at an hour ye think not the Son of Man cometh."

Worsley New Testament
therefore be ye also ready; for the Son of man cometh at a season that ye think not of.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Be Ready for Service
39But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.” 41“Lord,” said Peter, “are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?”…

Cross References
Matthew 24:44
For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.

Mark 13:33-37
Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come. / 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. ...

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4
For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. / While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. / 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 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.

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.

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

1 Thessalonians 5:6
So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.

Romans 13:11-12
And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. / The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

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.

Hebrews 10:37
For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.

James 5:8
You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Amos 4:12
“Therefore, that is what I will do to you, O Israel, and since I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!


Treasury of Scripture

Be you therefore ready also: for the Son of man comes at an hour when you think not.

Luke 21:34-36
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares…

Matthew 24:42,44
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come…

Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

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Luke 12
1. Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy
13. and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns.
22. We must not worry about earthly things,
31. but seek the kingdom of God;
33. give alms;
35. be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes.
41. Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges,
49. and look for persecution.
54. The people must take this time of grace;
57. because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation.














You also must be ready
This phrase is a direct call to preparedness and vigilance. The Greek word for "ready" is "ἕτοιμος" (hetoimos), which implies being prepared or in a state of readiness. In the historical context of the early Christian church, this readiness was not just a physical state but a spiritual one. Believers were encouraged to live in a constant state of spiritual alertness, anticipating the return of Christ. This readiness involves a heart and mind aligned with God's will, living in obedience and faithfulness. The call to be ready is timeless, urging Christians today to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing their relationship with God above all else.

because the Son of Man
The title "Son of Man" is deeply rooted in Jewish eschatology and is used by Jesus to refer to Himself. It is a term that appears in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 7:13-14), where it describes a messianic figure endowed with authority and glory. In the New Testament, Jesus uses this title to emphasize both His humanity and His divine mission. Historically, this title would resonate with Jesus' audience, who were familiar with the Old Testament prophecies. For contemporary believers, it underscores the dual nature of Christ as both fully human and fully divine, a cornerstone of Christian doctrine.

will come at an hour
The phrase "will come" is a future tense verb in Greek, "ἔρχεται" (erchetai), indicating an assured event that is yet to happen. The certainty of Christ's return is a foundational belief in Christianity, and this phrase emphasizes the unpredictability of the timing. The historical context of this teaching reflects the early church's expectation of Christ's imminent return, which fueled their evangelistic zeal and commitment to holy living. For modern Christians, this serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly life and the importance of living with an eternal focus.

you do not expect
The unexpected nature of Christ's return is a recurring theme in the New Testament. The Greek word "δοκέω" (dokeo) means to think or suppose, highlighting the element of surprise. This unpredictability is intentional, encouraging believers to maintain a constant state of readiness. Historically, this teaching would have been a source of both hope and urgency for early Christians facing persecution. Today, it challenges believers to examine their lives, ensuring they are living in a way that honors God, ready to meet Him at any moment. This anticipation is not meant to induce fear but to inspire a life of faithfulness and devotion.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
You
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

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

must be
γίνεσθε (ginesthe)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

ready,
ἕτοιμοι (hetoimoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2092: Ready, prepared. From an old noun heteos; adjusted, i.e. Ready.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

the
(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.

Son
Υἱὸς (Huios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of Man
ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

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

at an
(hē)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

hour
ὥρᾳ (hōra)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5610: Apparently a primary word; an 'hour'.

you do not expect.”
δοκεῖτε (dokeite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1380: A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.


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NT Gospels: Luke 12:40 Therefore be ready also for the Son (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 12:39
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