Luk 12:39-40 | NET2full | STEP | But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming , he would not have let his house be broken into .

‏ Luke 12:39-40

39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief ^{▼▼sn On Jesus pictured as a returning thief, see 1 Thess 5:2, 4; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 3:3; 16:15.} was coming, he would not have let ^{▼▼tc Most mss (א1 A B L Q W Θ Ψ 070 ƒ1,13 33 Maj lat syp,h sams bo) read “he would have watched and not let” here, but this looks like an assimilation to Matt 24:43. The alliance of two significant and early mss along with a few others (P75 א* [D] e i sys,c samss), coupled with much stronger internal evidence, suggests that the shorter reading is authentic.} his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” ^{▼▼sn Jesus made clear that his coming could not be timed, and suggested it might take some time—so long, in fact, that some would not be looking for him any longer (at an hour when you do not expect him).}