Mark 13:35
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:
Original Language Analysis
γρηγορεῖτε
Watch ye
G1127
γρηγορεῖτε
Watch ye
Strong's:
G1127
Word #:
1 of 18
to keep awake, i.e., watch (literally or figuratively)
οὖν·
therefore
G3767
οὖν·
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 18
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
οἴδατε
ye know
G1492
οἴδατε
ye know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
4 of 18
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the master
G2962
κύριος
the master
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
8 of 18
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίας
of the house
G3614
οἰκίας
of the house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
ἔρχεται
cometh
G2064
ἔρχεται
cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
11 of 18
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὀψὲ
at even
G3796
ὀψὲ
at even
Strong's:
G3796
Word #:
12 of 18
(adverbially) late in the day; by extension, after the close of the day
Cross References
Mark 13:33Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.Matthew 24:42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.Matthew 24:44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.Mark 14:30And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Historical Context
Roman military watches governed nighttime security. Guards found sleeping at post faced death (Acts 12:19). Mark's Roman audience would grasp the life-or-death stakes of vigilance. The four watches also recall Jewish three-watch system (Exodus 14:24, Judges 7:19), showing Jesus bridges Jewish and Gentile contexts. Early Christian worship included all-night vigils, practicing literal watchfulness anticipating Christ's return.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'watching' look like practically in your daily life—how do you maintain spiritual alertness?
- How does uncertainty about Christ's return timing cultivate holy urgency without anxious calculation?
- In which 'watch' of life (youth, middle age, old age, death) might you be tempted to let down your guard?
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Analysis & Commentary
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh—The imperative grēgoreite (γρηγορεῖτε, 'watch/stay awake') appears repeatedly in this discourse (vv. 33, 35, 37), the keynote of eschatological ethics. Jesus lists four Roman watch-periods: opsios (ὀψίος, evening, 6-9 PM), mesonyktion (μεσονύκτιον, midnight, 9 PM-12 AM), alektorophōnias (ἀλεκτοροφωνίας, cockcrow, 12-3 AM), and prōi (πρωΐ, morning, 3-6 AM).
The four watches structure monastic prayer (Lauds, Matins, etc.) and symbolize comprehensive vigilance—the Master may return at any hour. The phrase ouk oidate (οὐκ οἴδατε, 'you do not know') echoes verse 32's divine sovereignty over timing. This uncertainty is purposeful: it keeps believers in constant readiness rather than calculating schedules. The verb grēgoreō implies spiritual alertness, not mere sleeplessness—actively engaging kingdom work, not passive waiting.