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Luke 12:43

in Luke 12

Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

KJV

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

This verse in Luke 12

Commentary

11 notes on this verse

A commentator

Cyril of Alexandria

Catena Aurea by Aquinas · Written before 444.

Thus the faithful and wise servant prudently giving out in due season the servants' food, that is, their spiritual meat, will be blessed according to the Saviour's word, in that he will obtain still greater things, and will be thought worthy of the rewards which are duo to friends. Hence it follows, Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers2 voices

A commentator

Basil of Caesarea

Catena Aurea by Aquinas · Written before 379.

proposed

(in Proœm. in reg. fus.) He says not, 'doing,' as if by chance, but so doing. For not only conquest is honourable, but to contend lawfully, which is to perform each thing as we have been commanded.

A commentator

Isidore of Pelusium

Catena Aurea by Aquinas · Written before 450.

proposed

(l. 3. Ep. 170.) It was added also in their due season, because a benefit not conferred at its proper time is rendered vain, and loses the name of a benefit. The same bread is not equally coveted by the hungry man, and him that is satisfied. But with respect to this servant's reward for his stewardship, He adds, Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

The Medieval Church3 voices

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Catena Aurea by Aquinas · Written before 1107.

proposed

Or, he will make him ruler over all that he hath, not only over His own household, but that earthly things as well as heavenly shall obey him. As it was with Joshua the son of Nun, and Elias, the one commanding the sun, the other the clouds; and all the Saints as God's friends use the things of God. Whosoever also passes his life virtuously, and has kept in due submission his servants, that is, anger and desire, supplies to them their portion of food in due season; to anger indeed that he may feel it against those who hate God, but to desire that he may exercise the necessary provision for the flesh, ordering it unto God. Such an one, I say, will be set over all things which the Lord hath, being thought worthy to look into all things by the light of contemplation.

A commentator

Bonaventure

Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12 · Written in the 13th century.

proposed

Second, with regard to the excellence of the reward, he adds: Blessed is that servant whom, when his lord comes, he shall find so doing: Matthew chapter twenty-five: "Well done, good and faithful servant," etc. So doing, that is, faithfully, prudently, and watchfully, according to …

A commentator

Bede

On the Gospel of Luke · Written before 735.

proposed

Blessed is that servant whom, when the Lord comes, He finds so doing. Truly I say to you that He will set him over all His possessions. Just as there is a great difference in merits between good listeners and good teachers, so too is …
5 more voices on this verse

The Medieval Church2 voices

A commentator

Bede

Catena Aurea by Aquinas · Written before 735.

proposed

For whatever difference there is in the merits of good hearers and good teachers, such also there is in their rewards; for the one whom when He cometh He finds watching, He will make to sit down; but the others whom He finds faithful and wise stewards, He will place over all that He hath, that is, over all the joys of the kingdom of heaven, not certainly that they alone shall have power over them, but that they shall more abundantly than the other saints enjoy eternal possession of them.

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on Luke · Written before 1107.

proposed

If he is found acting in this way, then he is blessed, and the Lord "will set him over all his possessions," not only over servants, but will set him over everything, deeming him worthy of the highest degree, so that earthly and heavenly things …

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Blessed is that servant,.... Who is faithful and wise, rules well, and discharges his trust with integrity, and disposes of the provisions of the house, in his hands, with great discretion and prudence: whom his Lord, when he cometh; to take vengeance on the wicked Jews, or by death, or at judgment: shall find so doing; behaving as a good ruler, and as a wise and faithful steward.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

We learn firstly from these verses—the importance of doing , in our Christianity. Our Lord is speaking of His own second coming. He is comparing His disciples to servants waiting for their master's return, who have each their own work to do during His absence. "Blessed," He says, "is that servant, whom his master, when he comes, shall find so doing ." The warning has doubtless a primary reference to ministers of the Gospel. They are the stewards of God's mysteries, who are specially bound to be found "doing" when Christ comes again.
We learn firstly from these verses—the importance of doing , in our Christianity. Our Lord is speaking of His own second coming. He is comparing His disciples to servants waiting for their master's return, who have each their own work to do during His absence. "Blessed," He says, "is that servant, whom his master, when he comes, shall find so doing ." The warning has doubtless a primary reference to ministers of the Gospel. They are the stewards of God's mysteries, who are specially bound to be found "doing" when Christ comes again. But the words contain a further lesson—which all Christians would do well to consider. That lesson is—the immense importance of a working, practical, diligent, useful religion. The lesson is one which is greatly needed in the churches of Christ. We hear a great deal about people's intentions , and hopes , and wishes , and feelings , and professions . It would be better if we could hear more about people's practice . It is not the servant who is found wishing and professing —but the servant who is found "doing" whom Jesus calls "blessed." The lesson is one which many, unhappily, shrink from giving—and many more shrink from receiving. We are gravely told that to talk of "working," and "doing," is 'legalistic', and brings Christians into bondage! Remarks of this kind should never move us. They savor of ignorance or rebellion . The lesson before us is not about justification—but about sanctification; not about saving faith—but about holiness of life. The point is not what a man should do to be saved—but what a saved man ought to do! The teaching of Scripture is clear and express upon this subject, A saved man ought to be "careful to maintain good works." (Titus 3:8.) The desire of a true Christian ought to be—to be found "doing." If we love life—then let us resolve by God's help, to be "doing" Christians.

The words behind it

12 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Where this verse is studied

About Luke

The Return of the Prodigal Son, Rembrandt, about 1668. Public domain.
The Return of the Prodigal Son, Rembrandt, about 1668. Public domain.
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Basil of Caesarea, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Bede, On the Gospel of Luke; Bede, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Bonaventure, Commentary on Luke, Chapter 12; Cyril of Alexandria, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Isidore of Pelusium, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Theophylact of Ohrid, Catena Aurea by Aquinas and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Luke.