Luke 12:39

KJV1611 – Modern English

And know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have allowed his house to be broken into.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Τοῦτο δὲ γινώσκετε, ὅτι εἰ ᾔδει ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης ποίᾳ ὥρᾳ ὁ κλέπτης ἔρχεται, ἐγρηγόρησεν ἄν, καὶ οὐκ ἂν ἀφῆκεν διορυγῆναι τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ.

Transliteration

This de ginōskete, that if ēdei the oikodespotēs what hōra the kleptēs erchetai, he would have egrēgorēsen an, and not an he would have aphēken diorygēnai the oikon of him.

Grammar Details

• *de*: postpositive particle - but/and/now
• *ginōskete*: present imperative active, 2nd person plural - know
• *ēdei*: pluperfect indicative active, 3rd person singular - had known
• *oikodespotēs*: nominative, masculine, singular - master of house
• *hōra*: dative, feminine, singular - hour/time
• *kleptēs*: nominative, masculine, singular - thief
• *erchetai*: present indicative middle/passive, 3rd person singular - comes
• *egrēgorēsen*: aorist indicative active, 3rd person singular - would have watched/stayed awake
• *an*: particle - [marks conditional statement]
• *aphēken*: aorist indicative active, 3rd person singular - would have allowed/permitted
• *diorygēnai*: aorist infinitive passive - to be broken into/dug through
• *oikon*: accusative, masculine, singular - house

Word Meanings

• *ginōskete*: know/understand/recognize
• *ēdei*: had known/had been aware
• *oikodespotēs*: master of house/householder/head of household
• *hōra*: hour/time/specific time
• *kleptēs*: thief/robber
• *erchetai*: comes/is coming
• *egrēgorēsen*: would have watched/stayed awake/been alert
• *aphēken*: would have allowed/permitted/let
• *diorygēnai*: to be broken into/dug through (referring to breaking through mud walls)
• *oikon*: house/home/household

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  This vnderstonde that yf the good man of the housse knewe what houre ye these wolde come he wolde suerly watche: and not suffer his housse to be broken vp.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  But be sure of this, that yf the good man of the house knewe, what houre the thefe wolde come, he wolde surely watch, and not suffre his house to be broken vp.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Nowe vnderstand this, that if the good man of the house had knowen at what houre the theefe would haue come, he would haue watched, and would not haue suffered his house to be digged through.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  This vnderstande, that yf the good man of the house knew what houre the thiefe woulde come, he woulde surely watche, and not suffer his house to be dygged through.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ‹And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.›

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  `And this know, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief doth come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken through;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through. [

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  But be certain of this, that if the master of the house had had knowledge of the time when the thief was coming, he would have been watching, and would not have let his house be broken into.

• World English Bible (2000)

  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

Referenced Verses

• Matt 24:43-44 : 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for in an hour you do not expect the Son of Man will come.
• 2 Pet 3:10 : 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are in it shall be burned up.
• Rev 3:3 : 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you.
• Rev 16:15 : 15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.
• 1 Thess 5:2-3 : 2 For you know perfectly that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
• Matt 6:19 : 19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,