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Luke 12:39
ESV But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into.
NIV 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.
NASB But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
CSB But know this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
NLT Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into.
KJV 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.
NKJV 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.

What does Luke 12:39 mean?

Jesus switches metaphors. He has explained that those who follow Him well will patiently and expectantly wait for His arrival (Luke 12:35–38). Now, He changes the scene to emphasize that His followers need always to be prepared because they cannot know when He will return.

Bible scholars are torn as to the specifics of the characters in this parable. Some say that the "master of the house" is the owner. The parable, then, is a general warning like Luke 12:35, and just says that Jesus' followers need to "stay dressed for action" with "lamps burning."

Others say the "master of the house" represents Jesus' followers, specifically, the "faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household" (Luke 12:42). This interpretation is more likely to identify the thief with Jesus. The purpose of that connection would simply be that Jesus' followers don't know exactly when He is returning, so they need to be constantly vigilant.

Today, the latter fits well, as Jesus' followers are to be watchful for His return (Luke 12:40; Matthew 24:42–44). At the time, the disciples may have taken it as the former, since they had no idea that Jesus would leave and return. To them, the thief may have represented Jesus overthrowing the Roman occupation and making Israel a free nation again.

The King James Version uses "goodman of the house" to mean the "master of the house:" the homeowner or husband.
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