Matthew 24:50 kjv
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,
Matthew 24:50 nkjv
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,
Matthew 24:50 niv
The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.
Matthew 24:50 esv
the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know
Matthew 24:50 nlt
The master will return unannounced and unexpected,
Matthew 24 50 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 24:36 | "But concerning that day and hour no one knows..." | Only Father knows timing. |
| Matt 24:42 | "Therefore stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." | Exhortation to watchfulness. |
| Matt 24:44 | "Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming..." | Be prepared for His unexpected arrival. |
| Matt 25:13 | "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour..." | Theme of vigilance in virgins parable. |
| Mk 13:32 | "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows..." | Jesus repeats timing secrecy. |
| Lk 12:39-40 | "...be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." | Theft analogy for unexpectedness. |
| Lk 12:46 | "the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect..." | Parallel parable in Luke. |
| Rev 3:3 | "...I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come." | Warning to Sardis about readiness. |
| Rev 16:15 | ("Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake...") | Encourages spiritual wakefulness. |
| 1 Thes 5:2 | "...the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." | The suddenness of God's judgment. |
| 2 Pet 3:10 | "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief..." | Destruction and new creation. |
| Acts 1:7 | "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed..." | Divine control over timing. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | "...it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." | Accountability in service. |
| Lk 16:1-8 | (Parable of Unjust Steward) | Steward responsibility. |
| Lk 19:11-27 | (Parable of Minnas/Talents) | Accounting for entrusted resources. |
| Matt 25:14-30 | (Parable of Talents) | Faithfulness in delegated duties. |
| Rom 14:12 | "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." | Individual accountability. |
| Heb 4:13 | "And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed..." | All actions are visible to God. |
| Deut 28:15-68 | (Curses for disobedience) | Consequences of rebellion/unfaithfulness. |
| Mal 3:1-2 | "...who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?" | Purifying judgment. |
| Matt 10:24 | "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master." | Subordination in servant role. |
| Titus 2:11-13 | "...waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God..." | Living with anticipation. |
| James 5:7-8 | "Be patient... for the coming of the Lord is at hand." | Enduring expectation. |
| Eph 6:5-8 | (Servant instructions) | Servants to work sincerely, as for the Lord. |
| Col 3:24-25 | "knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance... do wrong..." | Recompense for both good and bad actions. |
Matthew 24 verses
Matthew 24 50 Meaning
Matthew 24:50 declares the certain yet unannounced return of the Lord of a servant, emphasizing the absolute unpredictability of His arrival. It functions as a stark warning to those who are unfaithful, lazy, or abusive in their delegated responsibilities, highlighting that the master's coming will be at a moment neither anticipated nor known by the servant. This verse serves as the immediate precursor to the judgment and fate of the wicked servant, underscoring the necessity of perpetual readiness and diligent service in light of the Lord's return.
Matthew 24 50 Context
Matthew 24:50 concludes the parable of the faithful and wicked servant, which is a key part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25). This discourse was given in response to the disciples' questions about the destruction of the temple and the sign of His coming and the end of the age. Following signs of the times and warnings against deception, Jesus emphasizes the need for constant readiness due to the unpredictable timing of His return. The parable itself (Matthew 24:45-51) illustrates the consequences for those entrusted with spiritual authority or responsibility within the household of faith. The faithful servant is rewarded for wise and timely provision, while the wicked servant, presuming the master's delay, becomes neglectful, abusive, and self-serving. Verse 50 specifically depicts the master's decisive, unforeseen return, setting the stage for the wicked servant's severe judgment in the following verse.
Matthew 24 50 Word analysis
- The lord (ο κυριος - ho kyrios): Refers to Jesus Christ, the sovereign Master and owner. In a patriarchal household or master-slave relationship, the _kyrios_ held ultimate authority, providing for and expecting loyalty from his servants. Spiritually, this designates Christ as the absolute authority over His people, who are His bondservants.
- of that servant (εκεινου του δουλου - ekeinou tou doulou): "That servant" specifically refers to the wicked servant introduced in verse 48, implying one who has been entrusted with significant responsibility but has failed. A _doulos_ (slave or bondservant) was entirely owned by their master, their life and service dedicated. This represents any believer, particularly those in positions of leadership or stewardship within God's kingdom.
- will come (ηξει - hēxei): A definite future tense verb, indicating absolute certainty of the master's return. There is no doubt that the Lord will come, only the timing remains unknown to humanity. It denotes an imminent and unavoidable event.
- on a day (εν ημερα - en hēmera): Refers to the specific point in time, emphasizing its unknowability. It underscores the general nature of the unpredictability, not limited to a precise moment but an entire day unknown to the servant.
- when he does not expect him (ου προσδοκα - ou prosdoka): _Prosdokạ_ means to anticipate, look for, or expect. The negation _ou_ highlights the complete absence of expectation on the part of the servant, signifying his spiritual complacency, idleness, or miscalculation of the Lord's return. The wicked servant assumes a prolonged absence, leading to carelessness.
- and at an hour (και εν ωρα - kai en hōra): A further specification of the time, reinforcing the precision of the unpredictability. "Hour" (hōra) points to a minute, exact moment, stressing that the precise time will be a surprise.
- he does not know (ου γινωσκει - ou ginōskei): _Ginōskei_ means to know, understand, or perceive. The double negative, coupled with "not expect," confirms the servant's absolute ignorance and lack of foreknowledge regarding the Lord's specific return time. This total unawareness will be the basis for judgment.
- "The lord of that servant will come": This phrase asserts divine sovereignty and the inevitable return of Christ. It dispels any notion that the Master's absence implies permanent non-intervention or delay. His coming is not merely possible; it is a sure event.
- "on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know": This comprehensive phrase encapsulates the core teaching on the unpredictable nature of Christ's second coming. The repetition of "day" and "hour," alongside "not expect" and "not know," underscores the human inability to predict the timing and thus the need for continuous readiness. It directly counters the wicked servant's fatal presumption of a long delay and emphasizes that true preparedness isn't based on an estimation of timing but on a state of constant readiness and faithfulness. This divine prerogative of timing is reserved for God alone.
Matthew 24 50 Bonus section
The concept of the Lord's unexpected return pervades New Testament teaching about Christ's second coming. It is a divine design meant to inspire continuous faithfulness and holy living rather than procrastination or mere outward conformity when an arrival is thought to be near. This truth necessitates a life lived in readiness, impacting believers' stewardship of time, resources, gifts, and relationships. It implies that true fidelity is tested in the master's perceived absence, making a state of "always ready" the only truly secure posture. The consequence for not living in this constant state of expectation, as seen in the next verse, is a severe judgment, underscoring that accountability for how one has lived and served God is certain.
Matthew 24 50 Commentary
Matthew 24:50 concludes the portrayal of the wicked servant by detailing the unexpected manner of the Lord's return, setting the stage for His swift judgment. This verse stresses that Christ's coming will be entirely unpredicted by those who are unfaithful, caught unaware in their neglect and misbehavior. The deliberate phrasing, "on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know," highlights God's sovereignty over time and our human ignorance of it. It serves as a stern warning that assuming a prolonged absence or delaying righteous action based on one's own estimation of time is perilous. Instead, it underscores the need for constant spiritual vigilance, diligent stewardship, and integrity in living, knowing that accountability will come suddenly and irrevocably. The unexpected return ensures that the judgment rendered will be just, as the servant had no prior warning of the exact moment to adjust his behavior.