32"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows — not the angels in heaven, nor the Son — only the Father. [13:33] Watch out, stay alert — for you do not know when the appointed time is. [13:34] It is like a man going on a journey, who leaves his house and gives authority to his slaves, assigning each his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay alert. [13:35] Therefore, stay alert — for you do not know when the master of the house comes, whether in the evening or at midnight or when the rooster crows or at dawn — [13:36] lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping. [13:37] And what I say to you, I say to all: stay alert."
MRK 13:32-37
Readiness at Any Hour
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, households were structured around the authority of the (master), who held absolute dominion over his (household). Slaves were integral to this system, entrusted with specific tasks and delegated (authority) to act on the master’s behalf. The imagery of a master leaving on a journey and entrusting his household to slaves would have been familiar, reflecting the common practice of wealthy landowners traveling for business or political purposes. The mention of (the rooster’s crow) marked the third watch of the night, a time associated with vigilance and transition. The command to “watch” carried urgency, as slaves were expected to remain alert for the master’s return, which could occur unpredictably. This parable would have resonated with listeners accustomed to the honor-shame dynamics of household management, where failure to fulfill one’s duty brought dishonor and potential punishment.
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How other translations render this
MRK 13:32
- KJV
- But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
- BSB
- No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
- Koinōnos
- But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows — not the angels in heaven, nor the Son — only the Father.
MRK 13:33
- KJV
- Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
- BSB
- Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come.
- Koinōnos
- Watch out, stay alert — for you do not know when the appointed time is.
MRK 13:34
- KJV
- For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
- BSB
- It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch.
- Koinōnos
- It is like a man going on a journey, who leaves his house and gives authority to his slaves, assigning each his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay alert.
MRK 13:35
- KJV
- Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
- BSB
- Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore, stay alert — for you do not know when the master of the house comes, whether in the evening or at midnight or when the rooster crows or at dawn —
MRK 13:36
- KJV
- Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
- BSB
- Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping.
- Koinōnos
- lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping.
MRK 13:37
- KJV
- And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
- BSB
- And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!”
- Koinōnos
- And what I say to you, I say to all: stay alert.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 13:34
- servants:The word translated 'servants' here refers to enslaved people, highlighting their complete submission and lack of personal rights, rather than employees who work for wages.
- authority,:The term translated 'authority' implies not just the right to command, but also the power and ability to enforce those commands, often with a sense of delegated power.
MRK 13:35
- master:The word translated 'master' was a common title for someone in a position of power or ownership, like a lord or owner, and could also be used as a respectful address.
- when the rooster crows:The phrase 'when the rooster crows' refers to a specific division of the night, the third watch, which typically occurred between midnight and 3 AM.