For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
- KJV Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
- NKJV Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
- NASB For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
- NLT You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Therefore be ready, for the Son of Man comes at an unexpected hour. Readiness, not prediction, is what Christ requires.
Overview
This sums up the thief parable: live in a state of preparedness because the timing is hidden. Readiness is a posture of faith and obedience maintained continually. Since the hour is deliberately concealed, every hour must find the disciple faithful. The verse turns expectation of Christ into present-tense holiness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Matt 25:10But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.
- Matt 24:42Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.
- Matt 25:13Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
- Luke 12:40You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”
- Phil 4:5Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.
- Matt 24:27For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
- Rev 19:7Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.
- Jas 5:9Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 24:44 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.