Matthew 24:43 (WEB)
But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
Fathers and councils · 11
John Chrysostom
“Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxiv. 43, 44. [R.V., “if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming,…to be broken through.…in an hour ye think not,” etc.]
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Having declared that “of that hour knoweth no man, but the Father only,” He shews that it was not expedient for the Apostles to know, that being ignorant they might live in perpetual expectation of His coming, and…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
He would have them ever ready, and therefore He says, “Watch.”
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
To watch is to keep the eyes open, and looking out for the true light, to do and to observe that which one believes, to cast away the darkness of sloth and negligence.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Those of more plain understanding say, that He spoke this of His second coming; but others would say that it applies to an intellectual coming of the word into the understanding of the disciples, for as yet He was…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
He said this “Watch,” not to those only who heard Him speak at the time, but to those who came after them, and to us, and to all who shall be after us, until His second coming, for it touches all in a manner. That…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Foolish are all they, who either profess to know the day of the end of the world, when it is to come, or even the end of their own life, which no one can know unless be is illuminated by the Holy Spirit.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
And by the instance of the master of the household, He teaches more plainly why He keeps secret the day of the consummation.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
“The master of the household” is the understanding, “the house” is the soul, “the thief” is the Devil. The thief is also every contrary doctrine which enters the soul of the unwary by other than the natural entrance,…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, the thief breaks into the house through the neglect of the master of the house, when the spirit has slept upon its post of guard, and death has come in unawares into the dwelling house of our flesh, and finding…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
In this He rebukes such as have less care for their souls, than they have of guarding their money against an expected thief.
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Cross-references · 1
Matthew 24:43 and Luke 12:39 share the same wording (30 words).