Matthew 24:42Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To ensure the disciples would not doubt His message, He reiterates, "Watch therefore, for you do not know at what hour your Lord will come." Though He has shared insights about the timing, He cautions them against inquiring further, urging them to maintain a constant state of vigilance. This is precisely why He commands them to "watch," indicating His purpose for not revealing the final day. By withholding the hour of His return, He intends for them to remain alert and perpetually prepared. His desire is for them to always be eager to encounter Him and to live righteously, explaining that He will arrive unexpectedly. The essence of His message is that if individuals were aware of the moment of their death, they would undoubtedly prepare for it, diverting their focus solely to that hour.

The Lord instructs us to be vigilant and prepare ourselves by engaging in righteous deeds, ensuring that when He returns, we can offer Him what delights Him. It is important to note that the Saviour did not say, ‘I do not know at what hour the thief arrives,’ but rather ‘you do not know.’ The term "thief" symbolizes the end of life and death that awaits us all. Just as the thief appears unannounced, He explains, His return will also catch many off guard; therefore, we must not be complacent but remain alert. If we were aware of when our lives would conclude, we might only make an effort to please God at that final moment. However, since we lack this knowledge, we must continuously strive to perform virtuous deeds.

Stay vigilant, for when the body rests, it falls under the sway of nature, and actions occur not through our choice but rather by compulsion, driven by natural instincts. Likewise, when the soul is enveloped in a deep slumber—be it fear or sorrow—the adversary gains control and acts in ways contrary to its desires. While nature is governed by compelling forces, the soul is subjected to the influence of the foe. Thus, the alertness that our Lord emphasized applies to both aspects of humanity: to the body, to protect it from sleepiness, and to the soul, to safeguard it from numbness and fear. As He instructs, ‘Be sobered in righteousness’ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:34), and ‘I am awake, and .... I am with you’ (cf. Ps. 138:18). Furthermore, He warns, “Do not be slothful” (cf. Rom. 12:11). Therefore, let us shirk laziness in the tasks entrusted to us.

He now makes clear the reason for His earlier statement: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the Son of Man, nor the angels, but the Father alone. This is so that the apostles may remain steadfast in their belief, despite uncertainty regarding the timing of His return. It is essential for them to hold firm in faith, expecting the arrival of Him whose coming they cannot predict. Furthermore, He did not claim that the hour of the Lord’s arrival is unknown; rather, He pointedly stated, You do not know. By referencing the householder’s example, He elucidates more explicitly His silence regarding the day of His own passion, stating:

In the Gospel of Mark, it is stated, "Watch, watch, and pray: you do not know when the time will be," referring to the Second Coming. The essence of being watchful extends beyond merely refraining from sleep; it encompasses a broader vigilance and caution. Similarly, in the Gospel of Luke, it is advised, "But take heed to yourselves, lest when your hearts are weighed down with eating and drinking and worldly sorrows, that day come upon you suddenly: for as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." This imagery of a snare illustrates the unforeseen and abrupt nature of that moment. The term "the face of the earth" signifies its surface, where those who inhabit it reside. Furthermore, it instructs us to maintain a constant spirit of prayer: "keep vigil at all times praying, that you may be able to flee all these things that shall come to pass," referring to deceivers and various adversities.

To prevent His disciples from inquiring further, He emphasizes once more: Stay AWARE, avoid spiritual slumber, and be vigilant to the signs of the times, always prepared to encounter the Lord at any moment, for YOU CANNOT PREDICT WHEN YOUR LORD WILL ARRIVE. St. Chrysostom notes that He did not claim, "I do not know," but rather, "you do not know." Having nearly revealed the precise time, He reiterates the importance of remaining watchful, desiring them to be perpetually alert.

In this teaching, Jesus Christ emphasizes the urgency of His Second Coming, urging all His followers to be vigilant. He reiterates this message multiple times, warning against the dangers of complacency and the attachment to material possessions and concerns. He encourages them to remain spiritually alert and to always be prepared to greet Him with a pure heart.

That day will arrive unexpectedly, and while it will serve as a day of recompense for all devoted servants, it will simultaneously be a time of judgment for those who have not achieved their true purpose and are unprepared for this significant occasion. To engrave the essence of vigilance and faithfulness more deeply in their hearts, and to clearly caution them against the perils of a careless existence and the dimming of the lamp of vigilance, He presented them with two parables: the ‘ten virgins’ and the ‘talents.’ These narratives, marked by their simplicity and depth of meaning, illustrated the momentous day of divine judgment, when the Sovereign of Heaven will divide nations and individuals from one another, akin to a shepherd distinguishing between the sheep and the goats.

Be vigilant and avoid spiritual slumber; stay alert to the indications of the times and remain prepared for the Lord's return. To be adequately prepared, it is essential to live a life of righteousness. Since the exact moment of the Lord’s arrival or one’s own passing is unknown, it is crucial to be ready at all times.