Jesus concludes the parable with the admonition to watch, for the day and hour of the Son of Man's coming are unknown. The Greek word translated as "watch," gregoreuo (Strong's 1127), focuses on being vigilant about our own spiritual state and remaining circumspect and spiritually awake throughout life. The danger lies in failing to watch ourselves, becoming distracted by self-indulgence and material concerns, and finding ourselves spiritually unprepared when the end arrives. Without this vigilance, we risk being without the spiritual oil that symbolizes readiness, and it will be too late to acquire it from God when the time comes.

In Mark 13:37, Jesus Christ commands all to watch, emphasizing the urgency and authority of this directive. The Greek word used here, gregoreuo, translated as watch, is in the imperative mood, signifying a direct order from our authority, Jesus Christ, demanding strict attention and obedience. Christ uses this word fourteen times in the Gospels, underscoring two key ideas: we do not know when He will return, and we must be vigilant to be ready whenever that moment arrives. Watching is serious business, essential for being prepared for His immediate return in our lives, whether through death or His coming. Christ not only commands us to watch but also demonstrates what it means through His own actions. In critical moments, He watched intensely, engaging in spiritual preparation through fervent prayer, especially in His final hours. Unlike His disciples, who failed to watch and instead slept, resulting in their unpreparedness and failure, Jesus spent His life vigilantly guarding against sin. Watching, as shown by His example, involves deep spiritual focus and readiness, far outweighing mere attention to external events or prophecy. The command in Mark 13:37 to watch is a call to prioritize this spiritual preparation above all else, ensuring we are ready for His return in our lives at any moment.

The term "watch," as used in the context of spiritual vigilance, means to be on alert. It includes being aware of what is happening in the world, but more importantly, it signifies being keenly aware of our spiritual standing and responsibilities to God and His purpose. No one can fulfill this duty for us; we must do it ourselves by being alert and watchful. This involves being attentive to our condition and applying God's way of life. It requires ensuring that our attention and efforts are focused on the right things pertaining to our spiritual responsibilities to our Father, our Savior, and our fellow believers. Watching means paying attention to prayer, study, overcoming, self-examination, repenting of sins, and glorifying God through our lives. It entails following Jesus Christ's teaching to keep our eye single, directing our life deliberately toward the goal to which God has called us.

The Greek word *gregoreuo* (G1127), meaning to be watchful or vigilant, is crucial for Christians in resisting the schemes of Satan, the adversary of God, His Son, and His true church. As physical human beings, we often underestimate Satan, which is precisely what he desires, hoping we will let our guard down so he can strike. We must remain spiritually sober and vigilant, embodying the essence of *gregoreuo*, to avoid falling into distraction and allowing our spiritual armor to slip. Satan would relish the opportunity to create division among God's people or church groups, using distraction to shift our focus from our true purpose. As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to be watchful, ensuring that our thoughts, speech, and actions advocate for God and His way, letting our light shine before others to point them to our heavenly Father.