Matthew 24:42
Matthew 24:42 in Multiple Translations
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.
¶ Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.
Be watching, then! for you have no knowledge on what day your Lord will come.
So stay alert, because you don't know what day your Lord is coming.
Watch therefore: for ye knowe not what houre your master will come.
'Watch ye therefore, because ye have not known in what hour your Lord doth come;
Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.
Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord cometh.
Watch ye therefore, because ye know not what hour your Lord will come.
So, because you do not know what day I, your Lord, will return to the earth, you need to be ready for me to return at any time.
Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 24:42
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Matthew 24:42 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 24:42
Study Notes — Matthew 24:42
- Context
- Cross References
- Matthew 24:42 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Matthew 24:42
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 24:42
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 24:42
- Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 24:42
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 24:42
- Barnes' Notes on Matthew 24:42
- Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 24:42
- Sermons on Matthew 24:42
Context — Readiness at Any Hour
42Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.
43But 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. 44For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 21:36 | So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” |
| 2 | 1 Thessalonians 5:6 | So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. |
| 3 | Matthew 25:13 | Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. |
| 4 | Revelation 16:15 | “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.” |
| 5 | 1 Corinthians 16:13 | Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. |
| 6 | Matthew 24:36 | No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. |
| 7 | Luke 12:35–40 | Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed. 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. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.” |
| 8 | 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. |
| 9 | 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. |
| 10 | Matthew 26:38–41 | Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” |
Matthew 24:42 Summary
[This verse is a reminder to always be ready for Jesus to return, because we don't know when it will happen. It's like waiting for a guest to arrive, and wanting to be prepared to welcome them. We can be prepared by living each day with the awareness that Jesus is our Lord, and being mindful of our actions and priorities, as seen in Colossians 3:17. By doing so, we can be ready to stand before Him, and live in a way that honors Him, as in 1 Corinthians 10:31.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'keep watch' in Matthew 24:42?
To keep watch means to be spiritually alert and prepared for the Lord's return, as seen in Matthew 24:42, because we do not know the day or hour when He will come, similar to the instructions in Matthew 25:13 to be prepared for the Lord's return.
How can we apply this verse to our everyday lives?
We can apply this verse by living each day with the awareness that Jesus could return at any moment, and being mindful of our actions and priorities, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:31, and being ready to stand before Him, as in Romans 14:12.
Is this verse only for believers or does it apply to everyone?
This verse is specifically addressed to believers, as it says 'your Lord will come', implying a personal relationship with Jesus, as seen in John 1:12, but the principle of being prepared for the unexpected is a universal truth, as seen in Proverbs 27:1.
How does this verse relate to other teachings about the Lord's return?
This verse is part of a larger teaching in Matthew 24 and 25 about the Lord's return, and is connected to other passages such as 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Revelation 3:3, which also emphasize the importance of being prepared and watchful for the Lord's return.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can 'keep watch' in my own life, and be more mindful of the Lord's presence and potential return?
- How would my daily priorities and actions change if I truly believed that Jesus could return at any moment?
- In what ways can I be more prepared to stand before the Lord, and what are some areas of my life where I need to be more mindful of my actions and motivations?
- How can I balance the tension between living in the present and being prepared for the future, and what role does faith play in this balance?
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 24:42
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 24:42
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 24:42
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 24:42
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 24:42
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 24:42
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 24:42
Sermons on Matthew 24:42
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Sunday #1 the Welsh Revival of 1904-05 by J. Edwin Orr | In this sermon transcript, the speaker describes a powerful revival that took place in a church called Moriah Church. The revival was characterized by the presence of people of all |
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Current Events and the Return of Christ by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of watching and praying in relation to the work of God. He highlights that watching involves maintaining loyalty to Jesus Chr |
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The Second Coming of Christ by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being ready for the coming of Jesus Christ. He uses the analogy of two men on a hill, where one disappears and the other i |
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Return of Christ 19.3.1961 by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of work and prayer in the life of a believer. He encourages every individual to be diligent in their work and to find joy in |
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What Happens From God's Perspective When He Visits a Church by Henry Blackaby | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experiences of witnessing God's visitation in churches. He emphasizes that when God visits a congregation, it can be overwhelming and surpris |
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As the Days of Noe Were by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of watching for the signs of the times and being prepared for the coming of Jesus. He compares the present generation to the d |
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(Church of Cain) the Church of Cain - Part 1 by Ralph Sexton | In this sermon, the minister discusses the alarming events of violence and terror in society, such as the kidnappings and murders of young children and the school shootings. He emp |






