Definition: But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Matthew 24:43. It’s a really important and often-misunderstood passage about expecting something significant to happen in the future. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jesus is telling us to be prepared for something big, something that will dramatically change things. He's saying that God has a plan, and we need to be vigilant and ready for it. Let’s unpack the parts: “But know this…” : This immediately sets up a warning – Jesus isn’t just giving us a general instruction; he's telling us something specific about what's coming. “…that if the goodman of the house had known…” : This is key. “The goodman of the house” refers to God himself. It means that God, in His perfect plan and wisdom, has a specific, ultimate goal for the world. He’s working towards something amazing. “…he would have watched…” : Jesus is saying that God knew about this thief coming. A "thief" represents someone who will cause trouble or disrupt things. “…and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.” : This is the shocking part! If God had known in advance what was going to happen, He wouldn't have had to watch and deal with it. He wouldn’t have been troubled by it. The "house" here symbolizes the world – everything that is good and right. The act of “breaking up” means chaos or destruction. So, what does this all mean practically? It's a message about: God's Foresight: We need to trust that God knows more than we can possibly imagine. Preparedness & Vigilance: We shouldn’t just react when things happen; we should be ready for them. It means being mindful, trustworthy, and watchful. Hope & Anticipation: It also suggests a hopeful future – a time of great change and ultimately, good. In short, Jesus is telling us to trust in God's plan, to be vigilant, and that He’s working towards something wonderful, even if we don’t fully understand it yet. Important Note: This verse has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, sometimes leading to confusion. It's often misunderstood as predicting a specific event like the end of the world. However, its primary message remains about God’s ultimate plan and our responsibility to be ready for His purposes. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of things that might happen in the future according to this passage?