Luke 12:38 kjv
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
Luke 12:38 nkjv
And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
Luke 12:38 niv
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.
Luke 12:38 esv
If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
Luke 12:38 nlt
He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.
Luke 12 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 12:37 | Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake... | Master serving vigilant servants |
| Lk 21:36 | But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength... | Exhortation to constant prayerful watchfulness |
| Mk 13:33-37 | Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come... | Imperative to watch, as timing is unknown |
| Mt 24:42-44 | Therefore stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. | General command to vigilance, readiness |
| Mt 25:1-13 | Parable of the Ten Virgins... 'Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.' | Readiness through wise preparation and watchfulness |
| Rev 16:15 | "Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake..." | Blessing for those awake for Christ's sudden return |
| 1 Thess 5:2-6 | For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief... so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. | Day of Lord's sudden arrival necessitates alertness |
| Rom 13:11-14 | Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. | Waking from spiritual slumber, putting on Christ |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion... | Vigilance against spiritual dangers |
| Col 4:2 | Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. | Call to consistent, watchful prayer |
| Tit 2:13 | waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus | Hope in the glorious appearing of Christ |
| Heb 9:28 | ...Christ will appear a second time... to those who eagerly await Him for salvation. | Second coming for those eagerly expecting Him |
| Jas 5:7-8 | Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord... strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. | Patience and heart-strengthening for the Lord's coming |
| Prov 8:34 | Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. | Blessing on those who seek wisdom daily |
| Prov 16:20 | ...whoever trusts in the Lord is blessed. | General blessing for trust in the Lord |
| Jer 17:7 | Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. | Trust in Lord bringing blessing |
| Rev 14:13 | "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." | Blessing related to faithfulness in death |
| Ps 121:3-4 | He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber... He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. | God's unwavering watchfulness as a parallel |
| Ps 104:20-23 | You bring darkness, and it is night... Man goes out to his work... | Contrast with man's daily rhythm vs. eternal watch |
| Is 21:8 | Then he who saw cried out: "Upon a watchtower I stand continually by day, and at my post I am stationed whole nights." | Image of a vigilant watchman |
| Is 62:6-7 | On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never be silent. | Appointed watchmen for continuous prayer |
| Ps 130:5-6 | I wait for the Lord, my soul waits... more than watchmen for the morning. | Eager expectation and waiting |
| Mt 5:3-12 | Blessed are the poor in spirit... blessed are those who mourn... | Jesus' pronouncements of blessedness |
| Jn 14:3 | If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again... | Jesus' promise to return |
| Acts 1:11 | "This Jesus... will come in the same way..." | Apostolic confirmation of Christ's return |
Luke 12 verses
Luke 12 38 Meaning
This verse pronounces profound spiritual blessedness upon those servants, symbolizing believers, who are found actively vigilant, spiritually alert, and ready whenever their Master, representing the Lord Jesus Christ, returns. It emphasizes that this blessed state is independent of the specific, unknown hour of His return, whether it is in the deeper watches of the night or any unexpected moment. The core message is continuous readiness and faithful expectation.
Luke 12 38 Context
Luke 12:38 is embedded within Jesus's discourse on spiritual preparedness and stewardship (Luke 12:35-48). Preceding this passage, Jesus warns against anxiety over material possessions and instead calls for seeking God's Kingdom (Luke 12:22-34). The imagery shifts from an individual's readiness to an anticipated master's return. Immediately before this verse, Luke 12:37 sets the scene: faithful servants waiting with ready loins and burning lamps are served by their master upon his unexpected arrival. Verse 38 extends this by specifically mentioning the second or third watch, emphasizing that the timing is entirely uncertain, deep into the night when least expected, yet the expectation for readiness remains constant. This entire section serves as a warning against spiritual complacency and a call for constant vigilance for Christ's Second Coming, which Jesus consistently taught would be sudden and unpredictable. Culturally, Roman night watches were segments of time: the second watch was 9 PM-midnight, and the third watch was midnight-3 AM. These are times when most people are asleep, underscoring the necessity of unwavering attentiveness rather than circumstantial watchfulness.
Luke 12 38 Word analysis
- And (καὶ - kai): A conjunction that connects this verse directly to the preceding thought in Luke 12:37. It indicates a continuation of the previous blessed pronouncement, broadening the scope of the master's arrival time without changing the condition of the servants.
- if he shall come (ἐὰν ἔλθῃ - ean elthē): The Greek uses a conditional particle with the aorist subjunctive, denoting a hypothetical but anticipated event. "He" refers to the master, representing Jesus Christ. It subtly emphasizes the certainty of His coming ("if he shall come," implying "when he comes") combined with the uncertainty of the precise moment, urging perpetual readiness.
- in the second watch (ἐν τῇ δευτέρᾳ φυλακῇ - en tē deutera phylakē): This refers to the second of the four Roman night watches, from approximately 9 PM to midnight. It's a time when people would normally be settling down for the night, not actively waiting. The choice of watches highlights unexpectedness.
- or come in the third watch (ἢ ἐν τῇ τρίτῃ φυλακῇ - ē en tē tritē phylakē): Refers to the third watch, from midnight to 3 AM, the deepest part of the night. This further accentuates the unlikelihood of someone still being awake and vigilant. It underscores that readiness is required even at the most inconvenient and unlikely moments. The omission of the fourth watch (3 AM to 6 AM) reinforces that the timing isn't the point, but the constant state of preparedness regardless of the hour.
- and find them so (καὶ εὕρῃ οὕτως - kai heurē houtōs): "Find" implies discovery, a state of being when the master arrives. "So" (οὕτως - houtōs) is crucial. It points back to the "watching" (γρηγοροῦντας - grēgorountas) state described in Luke 12:37—girded loins and burning lamps, signifying readiness for immediate action and clear sight. It's not just about being awake, but being actively vigilant, prepared, and faithful in one's responsibilities.
- blessed (μακάριοι - makarioi): More than merely "happy," this word denotes a state of profound divine favor, spiritual well-being, and an enviable spiritual prosperity. It is a term Jesus often used in His Beatitudes, implying that these servants receive divine approval and eternal reward for their faithful vigilance.
- are those servants (ἐκεῖνοι οἱ δοῦλοι - ekeinoi hoi douloi): Refers to the believing followers of Jesus who live in constant expectation of His return, performing their duties faithfully until then. The term douloi (servants/slaves) denotes absolute devotion and responsibility to their master.
- If he shall come...and find them so: This phrase forms a conditional statement, where the consequence (blessedness) hinges entirely on the condition (the master finding them in a state of watchful readiness) irrespective of the hour. This powerfully communicates the importance of persistent spiritual diligence rather than situational awareness.
- In the second watch, or... in the third watch: This specific mention of night watches (the deepest parts of the night when most are asleep) symbolizes the unexpected and inconvenient timing of the Lord's return. It emphasizes that believers must be ready at all times, not just when they anticipate.
Luke 12 38 Bonus section
The concept of the master "coming in" (ἔλθῃ - elthē) suggests an arrival to a specific location where the servants are. This paints a picture of Christ's return not merely as an abstract concept, but as a personal, physical advent where He actively encounters His followers. The "blessed" (μακάριοι - makarioi) nature of these servants indicates a beatific state that transcends mere happiness, implying a divine joy and an elevated status granted by the Master, potentially reflecting the unimaginable honor of Luke 12:37 where the master girds himself and serves the servants. This signifies an ultimate reversal of roles and an unparalleled reward for faithful waiting.
Luke 12 38 Commentary
Luke 12:38 extends the blessing promised in the preceding verse, asserting that true spiritual blessedness belongs to those who maintain active vigilance and preparedness for the Lord's return, regardless of how unexpected or inconvenient the time of His arrival may be. The imagery of the "second" or "third watch" emphasizes the Lord's coming in the deep hours of night when slumber is heaviest, reinforcing that true faith means living in a constant state of ready expectation. It's not enough to believe He will come; one must be "found so"—living diligently, actively awaiting, and ready for immediate service. This blessedness implies divine commendation and a unique, intimate reward from the Master Himself, highlighting the profound value God places on faithfulness and readiness in His children. This verse calls believers to transcend worldly preoccupations and embrace a lifestyle of sustained spiritual alertness, ever watchful for their returning Lord.