Luk 12:39-40 | NETfull | 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 ^{▼▼ 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 ^{▼▼ Most mss (א¹ A B L Q W Θ Ψ 070 f^{1, 13} 33 Maj. lat sy^p,h sa^ms bo) read “he would have watched and not let” here, but this looks like an assimilation to Matt 24:43. The alliance of two important and early mss along with a few others (Ƥ⁷⁵ א* [D] e i sy^s,c sa^mss), 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.” ^{▼▼ 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).}