Luke 12:40
What does Luke 12:40 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:40 means
Jesus applies the lesson: be ready, because the Son of man comes at an hour you do not expect. The uncertainty of timing is by design, to cultivate faith, hope, and consistent obedience rather than complacency or date-setting. Readiness is moral and spiritual—living under the Lord’s gaze, faithful in vocation, reconciled and alert. The command dignifies the present, making every moment significant in light of His return. Expectancy becomes a way of life, not a calendar prediction.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So be ready: for the Son of man is coming at a time when you are not looking for him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and ye, then, become ye ready, because at the hour ye think not, the Son of Man doth come.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Be you then also ready: for at what hour you think not the Son of man will come.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And ye therefore, be ye ready, for in the hour in which ye do not think [it], the Son of man comes.
Context
This climactic exhortation wraps up the initial watchfulness parable. Peter then raises a question about the audience of this teaching—whether it targets the disciples particularly or everyone. Jesus answers with another parable focusing on stewardship, clarifying what faithful readiness looks like for those entrusted with responsibility in His household.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 13:14
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
- 2 Peter 3:12
looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6
so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.
- Mark 13:33
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
- Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.
- Luke 21:34
But take heed to yourselves, lest haply your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you suddenly as a snare:
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