Bible Strands
Luke 12:38
Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples through a parable about household servants, positioned between a promise of reversed roles and a warning about unexpected theft. He speaks during a teaching moment on readiness for his return.
The words — κἂν (kan) translates literally as "and if," introducing a conditional scenario, while δευτέρᾳ (deutera) means "second," specifying the late-night timing.
The thread — The motif of nocturnal readiness appears in Matthew 25:6 with the midnight cry for the bridegroom, and in 1 Thessalonians 5:4 where believers are warned against being caught like a thief in darkness.
Why it lands — The text commands unbroken vigilance for the master's return, regardless of the hour, and promises blessing to those who maintain that alertness.
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
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.
- Matthew 25:6 At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’