| Geneva Study Bible For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. People's New Testament 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly. They had been fully taught that the time of the Lord's coming was unrevealed, and that it would be unexpected. Compare Mt 24:43 2Th 2:2 2Pe 3:10 Joe 1:15. The day of the Lord. Not alone, the day of each individual's death, nor the destruction of Jerusalem, not of the final coming of the Lord at the end of the world, but rather it may be applied to all of these. As a thief in the night. Without warning. Compare Lu 12:39 Re 3:3. Wesley's Notes 5:2 For this in general ye do know; and ye can and need know no more. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 2. 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 16:15). Signs will precede the coming, to confirm the patient hope of the watchful believer; but the coming itself shall be sudden at last (Mt 24:32-36; Lu 21:25-32, 35). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 5:1-5 It is needless or useless to ask about the particular time of Christ's coming. Christ did not reveal this to the apostles. There are times and seasons for us to work in, and these are our duty and interest to know and observe; but as to the time when we must give up our account, we know it not, nor is it needful that we should. The coming of Christ will be a great surprise to men. Our Lord himself said so. As the hour of death is the same to each person that the judgment will be to mankind in general, so the same remarks answer for both. Christ's coming will be terrible to the ungodly. Their destruction will overtake them while they dream of happiness, and please themselves with vain amusements. There will be no means to escape the terror or the punishment of that day. This day will be a happy day to the righteous. They are not in darkness; they are the children of the light. It is the happy condition of all true Christians. But how many are speaking peace and safety to themselves, over whose heads utter destruction is hovering! Let us endeavour to awaken ourselves and each other, and guard against our spiritual enemies. | 
