New International Version
1 Thessalonians 5:2
2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
- New Living Translation (NLT)For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
Context of 1 Thessalonians 5:2
1Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
Read all of 1 Thessalonians 51 Thessalonians 5:2 word by word
αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀκριβῶς οἴδατε ὅτι ἡμέρα κυρίου ὡς κλέπτης ἐν νυκτὶ οὕτως ἔρχεται·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- yourselvesαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
- perfectlyἀκριβῶςakribōs · exactlyG199
- thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
- the dayὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the dayἡμέραhēmera · dayG2250
- of the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
- soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
- comethἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
- asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
- a thiefκλέπτηςkleptēs · thiefG2812
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- the nightνύξnux · nightG3571
Cross-references for 1 Thessalonians 5:2
- Jeremiah 23:20The anger of the Lord will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart. In days to come you will understand it clearly.
- Matthew 24:42“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
- Matthew 25:13“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
- Mark 13:34It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
- Luke 12:39But 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.
- 2 Peter 3:10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
- Revelation 3:3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
- Revelation 16:15“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 5:2
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2For yourselves know perfectly - That is, they had been fully taught this. There could be no doubt in their minds respecting it. The day of the Lord so cometh - Of the Lord Jesus - for so the word “Lord” in the New Testament commonly means; see the notes, Acts 1:24. The “day of the Lord” means that day in which he will be manifested, or in which he will be the prominent object in view of the assembled universe. As a thief in the night - Suddenly and…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2Paul reminds them of the teachings they already received (3:3–4). the Day of the Lord: The day when God will judge humanity and save his people (Isaiah 13:6, 9; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 2:21–32; 3:18; Zechariah 14). like a thief in the night: Compare Matthew 24:43–44; Luke 12:39–40; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; 16:15.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. as a thief in the night--The apostles in this image follow the parable of their Lord, expressing how the Lord's coming shall take men by surprise (Mt 24:43; 2Pe 3:10). "The night is wherever there is quiet unconcern" [Bengel]. "At midnight" (perhaps figurative: to some parts of the earth it will be literal night), Mt 25:6. The thief not only gives no notice of his approach but takes all precaution to prevent the household knowing of it. So the Lord (Re…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Thessalonians 5:2
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Thessalonians 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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