Luke 12:37

Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples during a discourse on readiness, using the scenario of servants awaiting their master’s return from a wedding banquet. He frames the instruction around the moment of his unexpected arrival.

The words — μακάριοι (makarioi) describes a state of recognized divine favor, while κύριος (kurios) identifies the returning figure as the master or lord.

The thread — The motif of vigilant expectation recurs in Matthew 24:42 regarding unknown timing, and 2 Peter 3:14 urges believers to maintain peace while anticipating the event.

Why it lands — The text commands constant alertness and active waiting for the master’s return. It reverses expected social roles by depicting the master preparing to serve those who remain watchful.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Cross-references

2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
Matthew 24:42 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.
John 13:4 So He got up from the supper, laid aside His outer garments, and wrapped a towel around His waist.
Matthew 24:45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time?
John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
Philippians 1:23 I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
2 Peter 1:11 and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 62:5 For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.