Matthew 24:50

King James Version

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know.

King James Version (1611)
The Lord of that seruant shall come in a day when hee looketh not for him, and in an houre that hee is not ware of:

English Standard Version
the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know

New American Standard Bible
then the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know,

New Century Version
The master will come when that servant is not ready and is not expecting him.

Amplified Bible
the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour of which he is not aware,

New American Standard Bible (1995)
the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know,

Legacy Standard Bible
the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know,

Berean Standard Bible
The master of that servant will come on a day he does not anticipate and at an hour he does not expect.

Contemporary English Version
If that happens, the master will surely come on a day and at a time when the servant least expects him.

Complete Jewish Bible
then his master will come on a day the servant does not expect, at a time he doesn't know;

Darby Translation
the lord of that bondman shall come in a day when he does not expect it, and in an hour he knows not of,

Easy-to-Read Version
Then the master will come when the servant is not ready, at a time when the servant is not expecting him.

Geneva Bible (1587)
That seruaunts master will come in a day, when he looketh not for him, and in an houre that he is not ware of,

George Lamsa Translation
The Lord of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know.

Good News Translation
Then that servant's master will come back one day when the servant does not expect him and at a time he does not know.

Lexham English Bible
the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know,

Literal Translation
the Lord of that slave will come in a day in which he does not expect and in an hour which he does not know,

American Standard Version
the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not,

Bible in Basic English
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he is not looking for him, and in an hour of which he has no knowledge,

Hebrew Names Version
the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn't expect it, and in an hour when he doesn't know it,

International Standard Version
the master of that servant will come on a day when he doesn't expect him and at an hour that he doesn't know.

Etheridge Translation
the lord of that servant shall come in a day that he computeth not, and in an hour which he doth not know,

Murdock Translation
the lord of that servant will come in a day he will not expect, and in an hour he knoweth not,

Bishop's Bible (1568)
The same seruauntes Lorde shall come in a day, when he loketh not for hym, and in an houre that he is not ware of:

English Revised Version
the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not,

World English Bible
the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn't expect it, and in an hour when he doesn't know it,

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
The Lord of that servant shall come in a day that he expecteth him not, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Weymouth's New Testament
the master of that servant will arrive on a day when he is not expecting him and at an hour of which he has not been informed;

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
the lord of that seruaunt schal come in the dai which he hopith not, and in the our that he knowith not,

Update Bible Version
the lord of that slave shall come in a day when he does not expect, and in an hour when he does not know,

Webster's Bible Translation
The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of,

New English Translation
then the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not foresee,

New King James Version
the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,

New Living Translation
The master will return unannounced and unexpected,

New Life Bible
The owner will come on a day and at an hour when the servant is not looking for him.

New Revised Standard
the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
The master of that servant, will have come, on a day when he is not expecting, and in an hour when he is not observing, -

Douay-Rheims Bible
The lord of that servant shall come in a day that he hopeth not and at an hour that he knoweth not:

Revised Standard Version
the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know,

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
that servauntes master wyll come in adaye when he loketh not for him and in an houre yt he is not ware of

Young's Literal Translation
the lord of that servant will arrive in a day when he doth not expect, and in an hour of which he doth not know,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The same seruautes lorde shal come in a daye, wha he loketh not for him, and in an houre that he is not ware of,

Mace New Testament (1729)
the master of that servant will come in a day when he least expects it, and at an hour he is not aware of;

Simplified Cowboy Version
You can bet that one day the cattle foreman will ride up to the camp without givin' any notice.

Contextual Overview

³² Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: ³³ So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. ³⁴ Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. ³⁵ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. ³⁶ But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. ³⁷ But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ³⁸ For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, ³⁹ And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. ⁴⁰ Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

come: Matthew 24:42-44, Proverbs 29:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:3, Revelation 3:3

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:3 - by night Joshua 8:14 - he wist not Psalms 64:7 - suddenly Proverbs 23:29 - Who hath woe Ecclesiastes 8:7 - he knoweth Ecclesiastes 8:11 - sentence Zechariah 11:8 - in Matthew 13:50 - wailing

Cross-References

Genesis 24:15
And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.

Genesis 24:28
And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.

Genesis 24:53
And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.

Genesis 24:55
And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.

Genesis 24:60
And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.

Genesis 31:24
And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Genesis 31:29
It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

2 Samuel 13:22
And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.

Psalms 118:23
This is the Lord 's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

Matthew 21:42
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Gill's Notes on the Bible

The lord of that servant,.... Not by redemption and grace, but by creation and profession;

shall come in a day when he looked not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of: suddenly and unexpectedly: such was his coming in wrath and vengeance on the Jewish nation; and such is his coming oftentimes by death; and such will be his coming at the day of judgment.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

This passage is, in fact, “a parable,” though it is not expressly so called. The design is to show that his disciples should act as if they were each moment expecting his return. This he illustrates by the conduct of a servant who did not expect his master soon to return, who acted with great impropriety, and who was accordingly punished.

Matthew 24:45

Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant ... - By the conduct of a faithful and wise servant Jesus intends to denote a faithful Christian, a servant of God, or a teacher of religion.

Whom his lord - His master.

The word here has no reference to God. It means the “lord” or master of the servant. Applied to Christian teachers, in the spiritual meaning of the parable, it refers to “Christ,” who has appointed them as teachers, and who is their Lord and Master, John 13:13-14.

Over his household - His family. Christian ministers are the servants of God appointed over the church, the family of Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 1Co 4:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:28.

Meat in due season - The word “meat” here means food of all kinds. When the Bible was translated into English, the word included, as the original does, all kinds of provisions requisite to support and nourish life.

In due season - As they need it, or in the accustomed times. This was the office of a steward. Among the ancients this office was often filled by a “slave” - one who had shown himself trusty and faithful. The duty was to have a general superintendence over the affairs of the family. Applied to Christian ministers, it means that they are to feed the flock of God, to “minister” to their needs, and to do it as they need it, John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2.

Matthew 24:47

Shall make him ruler ... - Shall confirm his appointment over his household, and, as a reward, shall place him over all his property.

This does not mean that ministers will have a higher rank or office, but is a circumstance of “the parable” or story, designed to show the effect of faithfulness. Faithful servants of Christ shall be rewarded. This will be done by His approbation, and by the rewards of the heavenly world.

Matthew 24:48

That evil servant - If that servant, so appointed, having this office, should be evil or wicked.

Say in his heart - Secretly suppose.

Delayeth his coming - Will not return in a long time; or does not return as soon as was expected, and perhaps may not at all.

Matthew 24:49

Smite his fellow-servants ... - This is the conduct of a wicked servant, who, supposing he would not be called to account, and abusing his authority, gave himself up to oppression, carousing, and debauchery.

It is designed to represent the conduct of ministers who are unfaithful and overbearing, and who abuse their trust in the church.

Matthew 24:51

Shall cut him asunder - This kind of punishment was anciently practiced.

Sometimes it was done by the sword. sometimes by saws. It was practiced among the Chaldeans Daniel 2:5; Daniel 3:29, and among the Hebrews, 2 Samuel 12:31; 1Sa 15:33; 1 Kings 3:25; Hebrews 11:37. It was also practiced by the Egyptians and Romans. It is not, perhaps, here to be taken literally, but signifies that the wicked servant should be severely punished.

Hypocrites - See the notes at Matthew 6:2. They are spoken of here as the worst of people.

Weeping and gnashing of teeth - See the notes at Matthew 8:12-13. The unfaithful and wicked minister of God, who lives without expectation or fear of judgment, shall suffer the severest punishment inflicted on sinners in the world of woe.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 24:50. The lord of that servant — Here are three punishments which answer to the three characteristics of the bad minister.

1. A sudden death, and the weight of God's judgments falling upon him, without a moment to avert it: this answers to his infidelity and forgetfulness. He shall come in a day in which he looked not for him.

2. A separation from the communion of saints, and from all the gifts which he has abused: this answers to the abuse of his authority in the Church of Christ.

3. He shall have tears and eternal pains, in company with all such hypocrites as himself: and this answers to his voluptuous life, pampering the flesh at the expense of his soul.