Bible Strands
Matthew 24:49
And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples while narrating the parable of a steward who assumes his master's delayed return. The statement describes the servant's conduct during that period of prolonged absence.
The words — The Greek ἄρξηται (arxētai) means "may begin" and τὺπτειν (tuptein) translates literally as "to beat." These verbs mark the servant's transition from assumed authority to violent abuse.
The thread — The text aligns with Micah 3:5, where leaders exploit the people while claiming divine favor, and Revelation 17:6, where intoxication symbolizes moral corruption. Matthew 7:15 also identifies inwardly destructive figures who appear harmless.
Why it lands — The passage demands immediate vigilance by showing that delayed accountability breeds arrogance and abuse. It requires the reader to reject complacency and maintain faithful service regardless of perceived delays in judgment.
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 shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Cross-references
- Micah 3:5 This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:
- Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
- Revelation 17:6 I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.
- 1 Samuel 2:13 or for the custom of the priests with the people. When any man offered a sacrifice, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling
- 1 Samuel 2:29 Why then do you kick at My sacrifice and offering that I have prescribed for My dwelling place? You have honored your sons more than Me by fattening yourselves with the best of all the offerings of My people Israel.’
- Isaiah 56:12 “Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”
- Isaiah 66:5 You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate you and exclude you because of My name have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified that we may see your joy!’ But they will be put to shame.”
- Ezekiel 34:3 You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock.
- Romans 16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
- 2 Corinthians 11:20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face.