Luke 12:35-59

Christian Standard Bible

Ready for the Master’s Return

³⁵ “Be ready for service^[a] and have your lamps lit.^{(A) 36} You are to be like people waiting for their master^(B) to return from the wedding banquet^(C) so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.^{(D) 37} Blessed will be those servants the master finds alert^(E) when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will get ready,^[b] have them recline at the table, then come and serve them.^{(F) 38} If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn,^[c] and finds them alert, blessed are those servants. ³⁹ But know this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming,^(G) he would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁰ You also be ready,^(H) because the Son of Man^(I) is coming at an hour you do not expect.”^(J)

Rewards and Punishment

⁴¹ “Lord,” Peter asked, “are you telling this parable to us or to everyone?”

⁴² The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible manager^(K) his master will put in charge of his household servants to give them their allotted food^(L) at the proper time? ⁴³ Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes. ⁴⁴ Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. ⁴⁵ But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’^(M) and starts to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, ⁴⁶ that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces^[d] and assign him a place with the unfaithful.^{[e] 47} And that servant who knew his master’s will and didn’t prepare himself or do it^[f] will be severely beaten.^{(N) 48} But the one who did not know and did what deserved^(O) punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected.^[g](P)

Not Peace but Division

⁴⁹ “I came^(Q) to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze! ⁵⁰ But I have a baptism to undergo,^(R) and how it consumes^(S) me until it is finished!^{(T) 51} Do you think that I came here to bring peace on the earth?^(U) No, I tell you, but rather division. ⁵² From now on, five in one household will be divided: three against two, and two against three.

Interpreting the Time

⁵⁴ He also said to the crowds,^(W) “When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does.^{(X) 55} And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. ⁵⁶ Hypocrites!^(Y) You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this present time?^(Z)

Settling Accounts

⁵⁷ “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right?^{(AA) 58} As you are going with your adversary^(AB) to the ruler, make an effort to settle with him on the way. Then he won’t drag you before the judge,^(AC) the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff throw you into prison.^{(AD) 59} I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.”^[i](AE)