Mark 13:35

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Complete Jewish Bible:

So stay alert! for you don't know when the owner of the house will come,

Berean Standard Bible:

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.

American Standard Version:

Watch therefore: for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Watch ye^{G1127} therefore^{G3767}: for^{G1063} ye know^{G1492} not^{G3756} when^{G4219} the master^{G2962} of the house^{G3614} cometh^{G2064}, at even^{G3796}, or^{G2228} at midnight^{G3317}, or^{G2228} at the cockcrowing^{G219}, or^{G2228} in the morning^{G4404}:

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Commentary for Mark 13:35

Mark 13:35 is part of the Olivet Discourse, a passage where Jesus speaks to his disciples about the end times and the coming destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The historical context is set during the last week of Jesus' life, as he is in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. In this discourse, Jesus is preparing his followers for future events, including his second coming, which he emphasizes will be unexpected.

The themes of Mark 13:35 revolve around vigilance, readiness, and the uncertainty of the timing of the Lord's return. Jesus uses the metaphor of a "master of the house" to illustrate that just as a homeowner might return at various times, the Son of Man will return when least expected. The specific times mentioned—evening, midnight, cockcrowing, and morning—cover the full range of a day and night cycle, emphasizing that his return could happen at any moment. The verse calls for constant watchfulness and preparedness, reinforcing the idea that believers should live as if Christ could return at any time, engaging in faithful living and spiritual readiness.

This verse reflects the eschatological expectations common in early Christian communities, who anticipated the imminent return of Christ and sought guidance on how to live in light of this belief. It also serves as a warning against complacency and a call to maintain spiritual alertness, a message that has resonated with Christian believers throughout the centuries as they await the fulfillment of Jesus' promises.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1127
   There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γρηγορεύω
   Transliteration: grēgoreúō
   Pronunciation: gray-gor-yoo'-o
   Description: from ἐγείρω; to keep awake, i.e. watch (literally or figuratively):--be vigilant, wake, (be) watch(-ful).
   
2. Strong's Number: G3767
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὖν
   Transliteration: oûn
   Pronunciation: oon
   Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1492
   There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδω
   Transliteration: eídō
   Pronunciation: i'-do
   Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3756
   There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οὐ
   Transliteration: ou
   Pronunciation: ookh
   Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4219
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πότε
   Transliteration: póte
   Pronunciation: pot'-eh
   Description: from the base of ποῦ and τέ; interrogative adverb, at what time:--+ how long, when.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2962
   There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κύριος
   Transliteration: kýrios
   Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
   Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3614
   There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: οἰκία
   Transliteration: oikía
   Pronunciation: oy-kee'-ah
   Description: from οἶκος; properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics):--home, house(-hold).
   
9. Strong's Number: G2064
   There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔρχομαι
   Transliteration: érchomai
   Pronunciation: el'-tho
   Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3796
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὀψέ
    Transliteration: opsé
    Pronunciation: op-seh'
    Description: from the same as ὀπίσω (through the idea of backwardness); (adverbially) late in the day; by extension, after the close of the day:--(at) even, in the end.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2228
    There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἤ
    Transliteration: ḗ
    Pronunciation: ay
    Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3317
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μεσονύκτιον
    Transliteration: mesonýktion
    Pronunciation: mes-on-ook'-tee-on
    Description: neuter of compound of μέσος and νύξ; midnight (especially as a watch):--midnight.
    
13. Strong's Number: G219
    There are 936 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀλεκτοροφωνία
    Transliteration: alektorophōnía
    Pronunciation: al-ek-tor-of-o-nee'-ah
    Description: from ἀλέκτωρ and φωνή; cock-crow, i.e. the third night-watch:--cockcrowing.
    
14. Strong's Number: G4404
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρωΐ
    Transliteration: prōḯ
    Pronunciation: pro-ee'
    Description: adverb from πρό; at dawn; by implication, the day-break watch:--early (in the morning), (in the) morning.