Bible Strands
Matthew 24:48
But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples during the Olivet Discourse, presenting a hypothetical scenario about a household manager who has just been given authority over his master’s possessions.
The words — The phrase κακὸς δοῦλος (kakos doulos) literally renders “evil servant,” identifying the manager’s moral condition before his internal reasoning begins. The demonstrative ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos) specifies “that one,” isolating the individual for judgment.
The thread — The designation “wicked servant” reappears in Matthew 18:32 when a master condemns a servant for refusing to show mercy. The danger of assuming delayed judgment echoes the warning in 2 Peter 3:3 about scoffers, while the internal plotting mirrors the description of a fool in Isaiah 32:6.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate recognition that delayed return does not grant moral license to abuse others or indulge in excess. A reader must treat the master’s authority as present and binding, not suspended by silence.
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
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Cross-references
- Matthew 18:32 Then the master summoned him and said, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me.
- 2 Peter 3:3 Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
- Isaiah 32:6 For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink.
- Luke 12:45 But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk.
- Deuteronomy 9:4 When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness.
- Mark 7:21 For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
- John 13:2 The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
- Acts 5:3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?
- Deuteronomy 15:9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
- 2 Kings 5:26 But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?