Matthew 24:43

But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples immediately following the warning in Matthew 24:42 that they lack knowledge of his return date. He introduces a domestic hypothetical to ground the preceding instruction in practical vigilance.

The words — οἰκοδεσπότης (oikodespotēs) translates literally as "master of the house," and ᾔδει (ēdei) means "had known." These terms establish the counterfactual premise that prior knowledge would have guaranteed defensive action.

The thread — The unexpected intrusion motif appears in Luke 12:39, Matthew 24:44, and 1 Thessalonians 5:2. Each passage applies the same thief analogy to emphasize sudden, unannounced divine action.

Why it lands — The text states that the homeowner's failure to watch resulted directly from not knowing the thief's timing. The reader is required to maintain constant readiness precisely because the timing remains unknown.

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

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.

Cross-references

Luke 12:39 But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
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.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
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 20:11 On receiving their pay, they began to grumble against the landowner.
Exodus 22:2 If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed.
Proverbs 7:19 For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.