36 “But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.

37-39 “The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah’s. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.

39-44 “The Son of Man’s Arrival will be like that: Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind. So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.

Read full chapter

The Day and Hour Unknown(A)(B)

36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[a] but only the Father.(C) 37 As it was in the days of Noah,(D) so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,(E) up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.(F) 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.(G) 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.(H)

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.(I) 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming,(J) he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready,(K) because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 24:36 Some manuscripts do not have nor the Son.