Luke 12:35

33 ^aSell what you have and give ^balms; ^cprovide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant

35 ^a“Let your waist be girded and ^byour lamps burning;

36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.

37 ^aBlessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.

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

39 ^aBut know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would¹ have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

40 ^aTherefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”

42 And the Lord said, ^a“Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food¹ in due season?

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

44 ^aTruly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.

45 ^aBut if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,

46 the master of that servant will come on a ^aday when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And ^athat servant who ^bknew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 ^aBut he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Christ Brings Division

49 ^a“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?

<< Luke 12:34

Luke 12:36 >>

What Does Luke 12:35 Mean?

In relation to Luke 12:35, "Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning," readiness and vigilance are essential for disciples awaiting Jesus Christ, the Son of Man. Servants must remain alert, as depicted in parables where they wait for their master's return, even late at night or early morning. Expectant watchfulness defines the posture of believers, who cannot predict the moment of His arrival but must be prepared to welcome Him instantly. If found worthy through constant vigilance, the master will care for them. This state of readiness reflects the unique blessing of being called and valued by God, emphasizing the importance of always being prepared for His return.

Luke 12:35-40

From this, we can see that expectant watchfulness is the normal posture of a Christian. Jesus wants us to be ready for His return at any time, and as servants, we are in no position to determine when to expect Him. He will come when He will come, and we must be prepared to welcome Him whenever that happens to be.

Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Where Is the Promise of His Coming?

Luke 12:35-38

"Watching" points directly to the necessity of being ready for Jesus Christ, the Son of Man (Luke 21:36). It also includes patiently waiting, as is seen in Matthew 25:1-13, where the virgins must wait for the bridegroom. If the master's return is late at night or very early in the morning, the alertness of the servants is even more commendable. Jesus teaches that His disciples should always be ready because He would come at a time when they would not be expecting Him. The parable pictures several servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet. They must remain constantly vigilant so that the master could enter the house immediately upon arriving at home. If they prove worthy by being watchful and ready, their master will care for them.

Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants

Luke 12:35-40

These strong warnings and encouragements apply only to one small and unique group of very special people who are blessed and valuable to God above all on earth (Malachi 3:16-17). They are special and valuable not because they are great, talented, and accomplished in this world, but because God has called them, covered them with the priceless blood of Jesus Christ, and made them His regenerated children.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Elements of Motivation (Part Five): Who We Are

Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Luke 12:35:

Revelation 3:20

<< Luke 12:34

Luke 12:36 >>

Join 137,262+ readers

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning

Consistent Bible study is hard to start.

The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.

Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.

The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant

Christ Brings Division

What Does Luke 12:35 Mean?

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning