Matthew 24:36–44 reminds us that no one knows the day or hour when important events will occur.
You can’t predict the exact moment Jesus returns—but you can prepare for it.
Matthew 24:36–44 (NASB 2020)
36 “But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 At that time there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding grain at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”
Who Was Jesus Speaking To?
- His disciples, urging them to stay alert and ready
- All believers, across generations
- Us today, living in a culture distracted by comfort and routine while no one knows the exact hour of His return
What Happened?
- Jesus clearly states that no one knows the timing of His return, which serves as a reminder that no one knows the specific day either.
- He compares the coming of the Son of Man to the days of Noah
- He illustrates sudden separation: one taken, one left
- He uses the image of a thief in the night to emphasize watchfulness
The Mood: Urgent, Sobering, Alert
- Jesus isn’t giving a calendar—He’s issuing a wake-up call
- The tone moves from warning to instruction
- This moment is both a caution and an invitation to readiness where no one truly knows the exact day.
The Principle: Stay Ready, Live Watchful
- You won’t know the moment—so live ready at all moments
- Don’t be lulled into normalcy bias like in Noah’s day
- Living with spiritual alertness is a daily calling because no one knows the precise day or hour.
Audience Response (Then)
- The disciples likely asked more questions, but Jesus left them with a posture, not a plan for an event whose time is unknown.
- Early believers took these warnings seriously and lived in constant readiness
- Some may have found it troubling, but others became watchful and prayerful
What This Means for Us in 2025
- Are we alert, or have we been lulled to sleep by comfort?
- Do we live each day with kingdom purpose, even as no one knows the true hour?
- Are we preparing our families, our churches, our lives for His return?
Now is not the time to be casual. It’s time to be committed.
Action Steps for Today
- Live every day like He could return tonight, remembering that no one knows the day for certain.
- Eliminate distractions that steal your watchfulness
- Anchor your life in prayer, Scripture, and service
- Warn and prepare others lovingly
- Let hope—not fear—motivate your alertness
Final Prayer
Jesus, You are returning—and I want to be ready. Strip away my spiritual laziness. Help me to live with purpose, passion, and alertness. Make me a faithful steward of the time I’ve been given. Amen.
You won’t get an alert on your phone. So stay alert in your soul, since no one knows the exact day.
