Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 12:40

Be ye therefore ready also, for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

The Duty which Christ is here pressing upon his hearers, is a Watchfulness, which signifyeth, 1. A Negation of Sleep, 2. An Industrious keeping our selves awake with reference to some particular end. The end here expressed, to be the happy receiving of Christ, coming to judgment from whence is evident, that the Watching he[illegible: 1 letter]e intended, is a Spiritual Watching, which is a denial of our selves as to our Lusts, and the Sleep of Sin, which is compared to Sleep, Rom. 13.11. Eph. 5.14. and an Industrious keeping our selves from such Sleep in order to the coming of our Lord. Who will come, at an Hour when we think not, v. 40. His coming is to us incertain, and will be to many Surprizing. This Watchfulness he presseth upon his Hearers, 1. From the reward the Lord will give to such Persons. He shall Gird himself, and make them sit down to Meat, and will come forth and serve them. Very high Metaphorical Expressions, signifying no more, than that he will put upon them a very high Honour and Dignity, and satisfy them with a fulness of Happiness and Glory, and they shall be at Rest for ever. The State of Glory is elsewhere set out under the notion of drinking new Wine in the Kingdom of God, and Eating and Drinking in his Kingdom. 2. From the Benefit which they will have by Watching in this. That let the Lord come when he will, whether in the Second or Third Watch, they will be ready, and they shall be Blessed. 3. He presseth it also from the ordinary Prudence of Men, who if they have an intimation, that a Thief is coming, will Watch, and prevent the mischief that might ensue by the breaking open of their Houses. But concerning those Words, see the Notes on Matth. 24.43. where we met with them before used upon the same occasion.

Marginal references: Mat. 24.44. & 25.13, Mark 13.33. Chap. 21.34. 1 Thess. 5.6.