Devine Scripture

Matthew 24:43

What does Matthew 24:43 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 24:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 24:43 means

Jesus uses the parable of a thief to illustrate the unexpectedness of His coming: "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." The thief's arrival is always unannounced and without warning. Christ likens His coming to this, not in character, but in its surprising nature. If the master had known, he would have prepared. Since the disciples do not know, they must always be prepared.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

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 in what watch the thief doth come, he had watched, and not suffered his house to be broken through;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But this know 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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and not have suffered his house to be dug through [into].

Context

This verse supports the call to 'watch' from verse 42 by using the parable of a thief. This analogy vividly illustrates the unexpected nature of Christ's return, reinforcing the consequence of unpreparedness and leading directly to the explicit command for readiness, as one cannot know the hour or day.

v.42Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.

v.43This passage

v.44Therefore be 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.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2

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

  • 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.

  • Luke 12:39

    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.

  • Matthew 20:11

    And when they received it, they murmured against the householder,

  • Matthew 24:44

    Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.

  • Exodus 22:2

    If the thief be found breaking in, and be smitten so that he dieth, there shall be no bloodguiltiness for him.

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