Devine Scripture

Luke 12:39

What does Luke 12:39 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 12:39 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 12:39 means

Jesus offers a comparison: if a homeowner knew the hour a thief was coming, he would watch and prevent the break-in. The point is not to liken the Lord to a thief in character but to highlight the unexpected timing. Vigilance is necessary precisely because the hour is unknown. Preparedness cannot be crammed at the last minute. Wise disciples maintain watchfulness as a habit, guarding what is entrusted to them so that surprise does not mean loss.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But be certain of this, that if the master of the house had had knowledge of the time when the thief was coming, he would have been watching, and would not have let his house be broken into.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`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;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

The thief analogy strengthens the case for continual readiness by stressing unpredictability. This prepares for the explicit application in the next verse: the Son of man will come at an unexpected hour. Thus, the general call to watch will become a direct eschatological exhortation linked to Christ’s return.

v.38And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

v.39This passage

v.40Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 6:19

    Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal:

  • 2 Peter 3:10

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

  • Revelation 16:15

    (Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.)

  • Revelation 3:3

    Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear; and keep it, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2

    For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

  • Matthew 24:43

    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.

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