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Book of Luke - Chapter 12 - Verse 39

12:39
And this know, that if the goodman 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.

Meaning

In this verse, Jesus is using a parable to teach his disciples about the importance of being prepared for the unknown. The "goodman of the house" represents a homeowner who, if he had known when a thief would come, would have taken precautions to protect his property. By likening the thief's unexpected arrival to the uncertainty of the future, Jesus is emphasizing the need for believers to always be vigilant and ready for the return of Christ. Just as the homeowner would have been diligent in protecting his home, followers of Christ are called to be spiritually alert and prepared for the coming of the Lord. This verse serves as a reminder to Christians to stay faithful, watchful, and prepared at all times, knowing that the return of Christ is imminent and could happen at any moment. By staying spiritually aware and living in obedience to God's word, believers can ensure that they will not be caught off guard when Christ returns.

Theological Overview

In this verse, Jesus uses the analogy of a homeowner protecting his house from a thief to teach a valuable lesson about the importance of being prepared for His return. The "goodman of the house" refers to the owner or head of the household who is responsible for its safety and security. If the homeowner had known when the thief was going to come, he would have stayed awake and kept watch to prevent the thief from breaking in. This serves as a reminder to believers to always be vigilant and ready for the return of Jesus, as no one knows the exact hour or day when He will come back. The phrase "suffered his house to be broken through" emphasizes the consequences of being unprepared and not staying alert. By understanding the symbolism behind this verse, we can strive to live a life of faithfulness and readiness for the second coming of Christ.

American Standard Version

But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through. [
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