Luke 12:36
What does Luke 12:36 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:36 means
Disciples are to be like servants awaiting their lord’s return from a marriage feast, ready to open immediately when he knocks. The posture is eager responsiveness, not sleepy indifference. The point is relational and practical: love watches, and faithfulness keeps duties current so that nothing delays welcome. The image assumes delay and uncertainty but insists on preparedness. Such waiting respects the lord’s authority and desires his joy upon arrival. It pictures the church poised for Christ’s return, living in expectation that shapes daily conduct.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And be like men who are looking for their lord, when he comes back from the bride-feast; so that when he comes to the door, it will be open to him quickly.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and ye like to men waiting for their lord, when he shall return out of the wedding feasts, that he having come and knocked, immediately they may open to him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and ye like men who wait their own lord whenever he may leave the wedding, that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.
Context
This expands the readiness command with a specific scenario. The wedding setting implies celebration and unpredictability of timing. The next verse will pronounce a blessing on servants found watching and will unveil a remarkable promise—that the lord will seat them at table and serve them—highlighting the gracious reward awaiting faithful readiness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 64:4
For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen a God besides thee, who worketh for him that waiteth for him.
- Lamentations 3:25
Jehovah is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
- Genesis 49:18
I have waited for thy salvation, O Jehovah.
- Jude 1:20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
- Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.
- James 5:7
Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain.
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