Home/Topics/Watchfulness

What the Bible Says About Watchfulness

Overview

The Bible addresses watchfulness across 167 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Luke, Mark and Matthew. Closely related themes include Temptation, Second Coming of Christ, the, Parables and Earth. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Moses, David and Peter.

Key Bible verses about watchfulness

Old Testament

Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 4:9

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;

Deuteronomy 4:23

Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.

Deuteronomy 6:17

Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.

Deuteronomy 11:16

Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

Deuteronomy 12:13

Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest:

Deuteronomy 27:9

And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy God.

1 Kings

1 Kings 2:3

And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: prosper: or, do wisely

1 Kings 2:4

That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel. fail: Heb. be cut off from thee from the throne

1 Kings 8:25

Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me. fail: Heb. be cut off unto thee a man from my sight so that: Heb. only if

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 6:1

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. alms: or, righteousness of your: or, with your

Matthew 16:6

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Matthew 18:10

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 24:4

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Matthew 24:42

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matthew 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.

Matthew 24:44

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 24:45

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

Matthew 24:46

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Matthew 24:47

Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Matthew 24:48

But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

Matthew 24:49

And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

Matthew 24:50

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Matthew 24:51

And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. cut: or, cut him off

Matthew 25:5

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Matthew 25:8

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. gone out: or, going out

Matthew 25:12

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Matthew 25:13

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 26:38

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

Matthew 26:40

And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mark

Mark 4:24

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Mark 13:9

But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Mark 13:10

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

Mark 13:11

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Mark 13:12

Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Mark 13:13

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Mark 13:14

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

Mark 13:15

And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

Mark 13:16

And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.

Mark 13:17

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Mark 13:18

And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

Mark 13:19

For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

Mark 13:20

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Mark 13:21

And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

Mark 13:22

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

Mark 13:23

But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

Mark 13:32

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Mark 13:33

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Mark 13:34

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Mark 13:35

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Mark 13:36

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

Mark 13:37

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Luke

Luke 2:37

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

Luke 6:12

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Luke 8:18

Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. seemeth: or, thinketh that he hath

Luke 11:35

Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

Luke 12:15

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Luke 12:35

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

Luke 12:36

And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Luke 12:37

Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Luke 12:38

And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

Luke 12:39

And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

Luke 12:40

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

Luke 12:41

Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

Luke 12:42

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

Luke 12:43

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Luke 12:44

Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

Luke 21:8

And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. and the time: or, and, The time

Luke 21:9

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Luke 21:10

Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

Luke 21:11

And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Luke 21:12

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

Luke 21:13

And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

Luke 21:14

Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

Luke 21:15

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

Luke 21:16

And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

Luke 21:17

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

Luke 21:18

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

Luke 21:19

In your patience possess ye your souls.

Luke 21:20

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

Luke 21:21

Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

Luke 21:22

For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

Luke 21:23

But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

Luke 21:24

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Luke 21:25

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Luke 21:26

Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Luke 21:27

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:28

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Luke 21:29

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

Luke 21:30

When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

Luke 21:31

So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

Luke 21:32

Verily I say unto you This generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled.

Luke 21:33

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Luke 21:34

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

Luke 21:35

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Luke 21:36

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 7:29

But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

1 Corinthians 7:30

And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

1 Corinthians 7:31

And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 10:12

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

1 Corinthians 11:28

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

1 Corinthians 16:13

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

People in the Bible and watchfulness

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying watchfulness for yourself

  • Begin with Exodus 23:13, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Luke, Mark and Matthew each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus, Moses and David and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Temptation, Second Coming of Christ, the, Parables and Earth.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about watchfulness?

The Bible addresses watchfulness across 167 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Luke, Mark and Matthew. Closely related themes include Temptation, Second Coming of Christ, the, Parables and Earth. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Moses, David and Peter.

How many Bible verses are about watchfulness?

The Bible references watchfulness in 167 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention watchfulness?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 23:13: “And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with watchfulness?

Jesus, Moses, David, Peter and Daniel.

Preach & teach

Outline a sermon or build a study series on watchfulness.

Preach a series on Watchfulness