Mat 24:43 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.

Alternate Version: But know this: that if the master of the house had seen what sort of prison-thief was coming, he would have awaken and not let his house been dug through.

For those reading this chapter in the sense of the second coming, this verse seems jarring because it seems to compare the final coming of the savior with the coming of a thief. However, if we read this chapter differently, in the larger sense that we should never know what is change coming, and whether if will be good or bad, this makes more sense.

Again, as in the last few verses, the overidding symbolism is one of light and seeing and waking up so we can see. Darkness is not only the darkness of ignorance, but the darkness of sleep. Even the term used for "broken up," meaning specifically being dug through, also has a sense of bringing hidden things to light.

These is a close parallel between this verse and Matt 12:29, but other than the term for "house" all the words are different. In that verse, the owner was a strong man. He was not only taken unaware, but he also bound before he could be robbed. That verse, in the large context of people being controlled by their demons, the issue wasn't not being able to see what was coming but being strong enough to resist it.

Here the larger message is about not seeing clearly and defrauded without being aware of it. This idea starts with the false prophets who bring darkness in times of trouble. In continues through the last few verses where people are taken unawares in the field or the mill.

"Householder" is from oikodespotês , which is literally the "master of the house."

"Watch" is from phulakê (phulake), a form of phulax, which means a "watcher," "guard," "chain," "keeper," and "a place where people are watched." The phulakê form is found only in the NT. In Matt 18:30, it is clearly used to mean prison.

"Thief" is from kleptês (kleptes), which means a "thief," "cheat," and "knave."

"Watched" is from grêgoreô (gregoreuo), which means "to be or to become fully awake."

"Suffered" is from eaô, which means to "suffer," "to permit," "to let alone," and "to let be." This word is used for the first time here in the NT.

"House" is from oikia, which means "building," "house," "family," and "household."

"Broken up" is from dioruxis (diorysso), which means "digging through."