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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 24:42 - 24:44
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_24:42-44
42Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.
Mat_24:42 "be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming" This parable is paralleled in Luk_12:39-40. The emphasis on being ready (cf. Mat_24:43-44) and the uncertainty of the time (cf. Mat_24:39; Mat_24:47; Mat_24:49-50; Mat_25:5; Mat_25:13) are recurrent themes in the chapter. The uncertainty of the time provides motivation for the continued readiness of each generation of believers.
Mat_24:43 "if" This is a second class conditional sentence, which is called "contrary to fact." A statement is made that is false so the conclusion drawn from it is also false.
Mat_24:44 "you also must be ready" This phrase is present (deponent) imperative (cf. Mar_13:5; Mar_13:9; Mar_13:23). This is the key for believers, not speculation and dogmatism about the when and how!
The fact that so many expect His coming soon may be an evidence that this is not the last generation!
▣ "an hour" See hyperlink at Mat_24:36.