‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ (Mark 13: 32-37)

Keep alert is a better translation than keep awake. The Greek is gregoreuo. This is to watch, be attentive, or to be vigilent.

A watch was often assigned to guard a camp or a town. The watchman would awaken others if a threat was seen.

Gregoreuo is derived from egeiro which means to arouse. The verb could be used to awaken people or erect buildings.

To be alert requires sleep. To keep a good watch we must work with others so some will keep watch while others sleep.

And rather than watch for threats, we are to keep watch for our kurios (master), the one to whom we belong.

Above is the Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn.

This week controversy once again brewed around the site of the ancient temple, and violence is increasing according to news reports.