Matthew 24:42

42 So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up.

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 working in the field - one will be taken, one left behind;
41 two women will be grinding at the mill - one will be taken, one left behind.
42 So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up.
43 But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in.
44 Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.