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Mark 13:35
ESV Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—
NIV Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.
NASB Therefore, stay alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—
CSB Therefore be alert, since you don't know when the master of the house is coming--whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning.
NLT You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return — in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak.
KJV 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:

What does Mark 13:35 mean?

Jesus' words here are mainly to Jewish and Gentile believers during the tribulation. Jesus has given them what they need to know to be able to roughly predict when He will return. Starting from the moment the Antichrist arranges a treaty between Israel and its enemies, they have seven years. When the Antichrist defiles the Jewish temple, they have three and a half (Daniel 9:27).

Throughout those years, life on earth will get very hard. In addition to the catastrophic impact of God's wrath on the world, the Antichrist will persecute Christ-followers. They will not be able to buy or sell on the open market (Revelation 13:16–18). Countless believers will be killed for their faith (Revelation 13:7; 17:6).

The time periods match the way the Romans divide the night watches. "Evening" is 6 pm to 9 pm. "Midnight" is 9 pm to midnight. "When the rooster crows" is midnight to 3 am. Dawn is 3 am to 6 am. Neither Matthew nor Luke record Jesus being so specific.

This verse does not mean believers will lose their salvation if they are not paying attention and actively anticipating Jesus' return. Once we are saved, our salvation is assured for eternity (Ephesians 1:13–14). And salvation is never earned or kept by works (Ephesians 2:8–9).
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