Matthew 24:36-44
The King's return is certain, the hour is unknown, and readiness is commanded.
36 But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37 “As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
38 For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship,
39 and they didn’t know until the flood came, and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left.
41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left.
42 Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
44 Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
The King's return is certain, the hour is unknown, and readiness is commanded.
Matthew records Jesus restraining speculative knowledge of the day and hour while commanding his disciples to live in constant readiness for the coming of the Son of Man.
The disciples have asked about the temple's destruction, Jesus' coming, and the end of the age. Jesus' answer has already warned them about deception, tribulation, false messiahs, and the visible coming of the Son of Man. In this unit he forbids presumptuous calculation and grounds readiness in the pattern of Noah's generation, where divine warning stood against human complacency until judgment came.
The Olivet Discourse: Temple Desolation, Coming Judgment, the Son of Man, and Watchful Readiness
Because Jesus’ words are certain, his coming is sure, and his timing is unknown, disciples must reject deception, endure persecution, continue gospel mission, discern judgment rightly, and live as watchful, faithful servants until the Son of Man comes.