Matthew 24:42

42 "So always be ready, because you don't know the day your Lord will come.

Matthew 24:42 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 24:42

Watch therefore
Since the time of this desolation is so uncertain, and since it will come upon the Jews unawares, and some wilt escape, whilst others perish; for the words are plainly an inference from what precedes, and clearly relate to things going before, and are not a transition to a new subject: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come;
to avenge himself of the unbelieving Jews, and fulfil what he in person, and by his apostles, had predicted and warned them of: though I will not deny, but that what follows may be much better accommodated and applied to the second coming of Christ, and the last judgment, and the behaviour of men with regard to both, than anything said before; and it may be our Lord's intention, to lead his disciples gradually, and as it were imperceptibly, to the last scene of things on earth, to make way for the parables and description of the future judgment, in the next chapter; still keeping in view, and having reference to, the subject he had been so long upon.

Matthew 24:42 In-Context

40 Two men will be in the field. One will be taken, and the other will be left.
41 Two women will be grinding grain with a mill. One will be taken, and the other will be left.
42 "So always be ready, because you don't know the day your Lord will come.
43 Remember this: If the owner of the house knew what time of night a thief was coming, the owner would watch and not let the thief break in.
44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at a time you don't expect him.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.