Luke 12:39

39 And know this: that if the husband of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

Luke 12:39 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:39

And this know
The Ethiopic version reads, "this only know"; only take notice of this one thing, and it may be of some use to direct you in your conduct how to behave during the absence of your Lord, until the time he shall come again:

that if the good man of the house had known what hour the thief
would come;
that is, if the owner, or master of the house, whose the goods in the house are, could by any means know what time of the night the thief would come to break into his house, in order to plunder it, and carry off his goods:

he would have watched;
either he himself in person, or he would have set a watch about his house, or in it:

and not have suffered his house to be broken through;
either the door to be broken up, or the wall to be dug through, but by a guard about it, or within it, would have prevented such a design. And so in like manner, could it be known in what time Christ would come, either to the destruction of Jerusalem, or at death, or to judgment, every thoughtful, prudent man that should know it, would be upon his guard, that he might not be surprised with it; and though the precise time could not be known, yet inasmuch as the thing itself is certain, it became all the servants of Christ to be watching for it; (See Gill on Matthew 24:43).

Luke 12:39 In-Context

37 Blessed are those slaves, whom the lord when he comes shall find watching; verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself and make them to sit down to food and will come forth and serve them.

38 And if he shall come in the second watch or come in the third watch and find them so, blessed are those slaves.

39 And know this: that if the husband of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

40 Be ye therefore ready also; for the Son of man comes at an hour when ye think not.

41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us or even to all?