Matthew 24:43Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He refrained from revealing the time of His return so that His followers would remain vigilant and always prepared. His desire was for them to be constantly eager to encounter Him and to lead lives of righteousness, which is why He indicated that His coming would occur when they least expected it. The essence of His message is this: if individuals were aware of the moment of their death, they would undoubtedly prioritize that moment. Thus, to prevent a sole focus on the day of death, Christ does not specify the day of the universal conclusion nor the moment of each individual's demise, urging that people remain in a state of perpetual anticipation regarding that day; it should be an ongoing concern. He intentionally left the timing of each life’s end undisclosed.

He clearly explains the reasons behind His previous statement: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the Son of man, nor the angels, but the Father alone. This knowledge is not essential for the apostles to possess, so that they may maintain their faith in the anticipated return of Him whose arrival they cannot pinpoint. Furthermore, He did not declare: Since we do not know when the Lord has come, but rather: You do not know. By using the illustration of the householder, He clarifies further why He refrained from revealing the timing of His death, saying:

The period known as the fourth watch of the night has been discussed previously. In this context, it is pointed out that if an individual were aware of the exact moment their life would conclude, they would undoubtedly remain alert at that time to avoid perishing. However, this is precisely why the Lord has chosen not to disclose either the ultimate end or the specific end for each person. This omission serves to ensure that individuals do not merely remain vigilant at that moment, but instead live in a state of readiness at all times, anticipating the end and prepared for it continuously.

In order to convey that the uncertainty regarding the timing of His return, a truth concealed from us by His silence, is indeed purposeful, Christ urges us to adhere to His teachings. We are to pray continuously, ensuring we do not overlook the arrival of the thief, representing the devil, who aims to infiltrate the sanctuaries of our bodies with his deceptions and temptations, intending to bring about our ruin while we are unaware and distracted by our concerns. Therefore, He calls us to remain prepared, for the unknown nature of that day should inspire us to be alert, just as we would be in anticipation of the thief's approach.

What is the situation? The spirit remains unaware when a thief infiltrates through one of its avenues. It only becomes aware when it is led into transgression. Consequently, the spirit must stay vigilant, keeping all entrances secure. The mouth should engage in righteous discourse, the ears should be attuned to divine truths, the eyes should behold the splendid works of the Lord, and the mind should be immersed in reflections of heavenly matters. Merely refraining from speaking evil, listening to it, witnessing it, or contemplating it is insufficient. Such inaction closes off access to both benevolent and malevolent spirits. One who dismisses evil but fails to embrace good leaves an opening for the adversary, who can easily invade.

But you understand this, that if the master of the house were aware of the time when the thief would arrive during the night, he would be vigilant, would not allow himself to rest, and would ensure that his home was not broken into.

The Lord emphasized this matter and sought to impress upon the disciples the importance of vigilance, diligence, and faithfulness in their circumstances. Be watchful therefore, for you do not know at what hour your Lord will return. You remain in charge of the household in My absence: the head of the household is always alert, for he must be wary that a thief might approach and break into his home. Reflect instead on your condition after My departure, illustrating the state of the servants entrusted with the household during their master's absence.

In the teachings of Jesus Christ, He urged His disciples to remain vigilant due to the unpredictability of the arrival of the Son of Man, which has been retained in the memories of every Jew. Luke offers a succinct directive regarding this matter and later reflects on the life and ministry of Jesus, from His triumphant entry into Jerusalem to the Last Supper. Mark shares the parable concerning the servants and the gatekeeper who awaited their master, while Matthew provides four parables: 1) the parable of the homeowner who is warned about a thief, 2) the tale of the faithful and unfaithful steward (see Luke 12:39-48), 3) the story of the wise and foolish bridesmaids, and 4) the parable of the talents, concluding with a depiction of the final judgment.

In this discussion, Jesus Christ emphasizes to His followers the unexpected nature of His Second Coming. He addresses this topic multiple times, each time cautioning them against negligence, attachment to earthly possessions, and the distractions of daily life. He encourages them to remain spiritually vigilant and always prepared to meet Him with a sincere heart. If a homeowner were aware of the hour a burglar would arrive, he would stay alert only during that specific time, preventing the intruder from entering. However, since the timing is unknown, he must remain vigilant throughout the night. In the same way, we must be prepared at all times, for the Son of Man will return at an hour we least expect.

That day will arrive unexpectedly, serving as a moment of reward for all devoted servants while simultaneously being a time of retribution for those who have not fulfilled their divine purpose and are unready for the momentous occasion. To deepen their understanding of vigilance and faithfulness in their hearts, and to caution them more clearly about the risks of lethargy and the dimming of their spiritual light, He shared two parables about ‘ten virgins’ and ‘talents.’ These narratives were notable for their simplicity and rich in spiritual insight, illustrating the day of dreadful judgment when the King of Heaven will distinguish between nations and individuals, much like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

The arrival of the Lord is frequently likened to that of a thief due to its abrupt and unforeseen nature, as reflected in the scriptures (cf. 2 Pet. 3:10, 1 Thess. 5:2, Rev. 3:3, Rev. 16:15).

When the timing of the Son of Man's return remains uncertain, believers are called to maintain spiritual vigilance: stay alert and pray, for the exact moment is unknown. To deepen this call to spiritual preparedness in His disciples, the Lord shared a parable where He likened Himself to a master who departs from His estate, representing the Church, to return to His Father in heaven, eventually to come back and assess the work of His servants. He illustrated this as a man who leaves his home, appoints his servants with tasks, and instructs the gatekeeper to remain watchful. This command to be spiritually vigilant is an enduring mandate for all Christ's followers throughout the ages: I say unto you, I say unto all, watch. This imperative is a pivotal message from the Lord.