Luke 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.

And {G1161} this {G5124} know {G1097}, that {G3754} if {G1487} the goodman of the house {G3617} had known {G1492} what {G4169} hour {G5610} the thief {G2812} would come {G2064},{G302} he would have watched {G1127}, and {G2532}{G302} not {G3756} have suffered {G863} his {G846} house {G3624} to be broken through {G1358}.

“But notice this: no house-owner would let his house be broken into if he knew when the thief was coming.

But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

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.

Commentary

Luke 12:39 is part of Jesus's extended teaching on the importance of watchfulness and readiness, particularly concerning His Second Coming. Using the vivid imagery of a thief, Christ emphasizes the unexpected nature of His return and the necessity of constant spiritual preparedness.

Context

This verse immediately follows the Parable of the Faithful and Wise Servant (Luke 12:35-38), where Jesus encourages His disciples to be like servants waiting expectantly for their master's return. The illustration of the thief serves to underscore the element of surprise and the need for vigilance. It also connects to broader themes in Luke's Gospel, such as discerning the times and prioritizing eternal matters over earthly anxieties, as seen in the preceding warnings against covetousness and worry (Luke 12:13-34).

Key Themes

  • Unpredictability of Christ's Return: The core message is that the exact time of the Son of Man's return is unknown, much like a thief who does not announce his arrival. This uncertainty is designed to foster constant readiness rather than speculation about dates.
  • Spiritual Watchfulness: Just as a homeowner would stay awake and guard his house if he knew a thief was coming, believers are called to be spiritually alert. This involves living righteously, obeying God's commands, and being prepared for accountability.
  • Consequences of Unpreparedness: The "breaking through" of the house signifies spiritual loss or judgment for those found unprepared. It highlights the potential for regret and missed opportunity if one is not vigilant.

Linguistic Insights

The term "goodman of the house" (οἰκοδεσπότης - oikodespotēs) refers to the master or owner of the household. The Greek word for "thief" (κλέπτης - kleptēs) vividly conveys the idea of stealth, unexpectedness, and illicit entry. This imagery is consistent throughout the New Testament when describing the suddenness of the Day of the Lord or Christ's return.

Practical Application

Luke 12:39 serves as a powerful call to spiritual vigilance for all believers. It encourages us to:

  • Live Ready: Do not procrastinate spiritual matters or assume there will be more time later. Our lives should reflect a constant state of readiness for Christ's appearing or for our own departure from this life.
  • Prioritize God's Kingdom: This verse reinforces Jesus's earlier teaching to "seek ye the kingdom of God" (Luke 12:31). Our focus should be on eternal values rather than temporary earthly possessions.
  • Be Discerning: While the exact timing is unknown, we are called to be aware of the spiritual climate and to live wisely in light of God's revealed truth. This parable warns against spiritual complacency and encourages active faith and obedience. Similar warnings about being prepared for Christ's unexpected coming are also found in Matthew 24:43-44 and Revelation 16:15.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 3:3

    Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

  • 2 Peter 3:10

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

  • Revelation 16:15

    Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

  • Matthew 24:43

    But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

  • Matthew 24:44

    Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2

    For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3

    For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
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