Bible Strands
Mark 13:36
Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples during the Olivet Discourse, warning them to remain alert because the master of the house will return at an unknown hour. He frames the warning as a practical instruction for household servants awaiting their owner's arrival.
The words — The adverb ἐξαίφνης (exaiphnēs) literally means "suddenly" or "without notice," paired with the present participle καθεύδοντας (katheudontas), meaning "sleeping." These terms establish the contrast between unexpected arrival and a state of unpreparedness.
The thread — The warning against spiritual slumber and the call to vigilance appear in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, which commands believers to remain awake and sober, and Romans 13:11, which urges readers to wake from slumber as salvation draws near. Matthew 24:48 provides a contrasting scenario where a wicked servant assumes his master's delay.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate, continuous readiness rather than calculated timing or complacent waiting. It requires the reader to maintain active vigilance in anticipation of an unforeseen return.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.
- Romans 13:11 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.
- Matthew 24:48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’
- Mark 14:40 And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And they did not know what to answer Him.
- Luke 21:34 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.
- Matthew 25:5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
- Proverbs 6:9 How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep?
- Proverbs 24:33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,
- 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.
- Mark 14:37 Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?