Luke 12:43 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes.

BSB

Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

KJV

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

ASV

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

BBE

Happy is that servant who, when his lord comes, is doing so.

YLT

Happy that servant, whom his lord, having come, shall find doing so;

DARBY

Blessed is that bondman whom his lord [on] coming shall find doing thus;

Original Greek

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μακάριος makarios Blessed [is] adjective · nominative G3107 ὁ ho the definite article · nominative G3588 δοῦλος doulos servant noun · nominative G1401 ἐκεῖνος ekeinos that [one] demonstrative pronoun · nominative G1565 ὃν hon whom relative pronoun · accusative G3739 ἐλθὼν elthōn having come verb · 2nd aorist · participle G2064 ὁ ho the definite article · nominative G3588 κύριος kurios master noun · nominative G2962 αὐτοῦ autou of him personal pronoun · genitive G846 εὑρήσει heurēsei will find verb · future · indicative G2147 ποιοῦντα poiounta doing verb · present · participle G4160 οὕτως houtōs thus adverb G3779

Study notes

Whole chapter

On Luke 12:35–48

Jesus compared his faithful followers to servants in a master's house. These servants were always ready for his return and did a good job managing the resources he left with them.

On this section Luke 12:35–59

Jesus talked about his journey to Jerusalem. It was like being on his way to court with the people of Israel. He wanted them to turn away from their sins, believe in him and obey God. He wanted them to accept him as their King and Messiah. Then they could avoid judgement and punishment.

But he knew that they would kill him. Jesus would suffer. He described it as a baptism of suffering. So judgement would come to Israel for not accepting Jesus as God’s Son. That happened when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70.

Yet Jesus promised to return to earth. He would rule for ever as the Son of Man. He taught his followers to be prepared to receive him. They can be sure that he will return. No one knows when that will happen. Those who follow Jesus must keep serving him faithfully while he is gone. They must stay faithful to Jesus even when they are treated badly for following him. It will be so wonderful for Jesus’ followers when their Master returns.

Tyndale Open Study Notes (adapted by Mission Mutual) and Biblica Study Notes, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The early church

(in Proœm. in reg. fus.) He says not, 'doing,' as if by chance, but so doing. For not only conquest is honourable, but to contend lawfully, which is to perform each thing as we have been commanded.

Basil of Caesarea · d. 379Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Thus the faithful and wise servant prudently giving out in due season the servants' food, that is, their spiritual meat, will be blessed according to the Saviour's word, in that he will obtain still greater things, and will be thought worthy of the rewards which are duo to friends. Hence it follows, Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

Cyril of Alexandria · d. 444Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

(l. 3. Ep. 170.) It was added also in their due season, because a benefit not conferred at its proper time is rendered vain, and loses the name of a benefit. The same bread is not equally coveted by the hungry man, and him that is satisfied. But with respect to this servant's reward for his stewardship, He adds, Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

Isidore of Pelusium · d. 450Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

For whatever difference there is in the merits of good hearers and good teachers, such also there is in their rewards; for the one whom when He cometh He finds watching, He will make to sit down; but the others whom He finds faithful and wise stewards, He will place over all that He hath, that is, over all the joys of the kingdom of heaven, not certainly that they alone shall have power over them, but that they shall more abundantly than the other saints enjoy eternal possession of them.

Bede · d. 735Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Or, he will make him ruler over all that he hath, not only over His own household, but that earthly things as well as heavenly shall obey him. As it was with Joshua the son of Nun, and Elias, the one commanding the sun, the other the clouds; and all the Saints as God's friends use the things of God. Whosoever also passes his life virtuously, and has kept in due submission his servants, that is, anger and desire, supplies to them their portion of food in due season; to anger indeed that he may feel it against those who hate God, but to desire that he may exercise the necessary provision for the flesh, ordering it unto God. Such an one, I say, will be set over all things which the Lord hath, being thought worthy to look into all things by the light of contemplation.

Theophylact of Ohrid · d. 1107Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Henry (concise) · Verses 41–53

All are to take to themselves what Christ says in his word, and to inquire concerning it. No one is left so ignorant as not to know many things to be wrong which he does, and many things to be right which he neglects; therefore all are without excuse in their sin. The bringing in the gospel dispensation would occasion desolations. Not that this would be the tendency of Christ's religion, which is pure, peaceable, and loving; but the effect of its being contrary to men's pride and lusts. There was to be a wide publication of the gospel. But before that took place, Christ had a baptism to be baptized with, far different from that of water and the Holy Spirit. He must endure sufferings and death. It agreed not with his plan to preach the gospel more widely, till this baptism was completed. We should be zealous in making known the truth, for though divisions will be stirred up, and a man's own household may be his foes, yet sinners will be converted, and God will be glorified.

Read Henry (concise) on Luke 12 →

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