Luke 12:38
What does Luke 12:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:38 means
Whether the lord comes in the second or third watch—late hours when fatigue tempts—servants found watching are blessed. Faithfulness accounts for delay without relaxing devotion. The timing is hidden; the duty is clear. Jesus commends endurance in readiness, not brief enthusiasm. This teaches believers to sustain hope and holiness over time, trusting the Lord’s promise even when His coming seems postponed. Such perseverance distinguishes true watchfulness from momentary zeal.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And if he comes in the second division of the night or in the third, and they are watching for him, happy are those servants.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if he may come in the second watch, and in the third watch he may come, and may find <FI>it<Fi> so, happy are those servants.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if he shall come in the second watch or come in the third watch and find them so, blessed are those servants.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And if he come in the second watch, and come in the third watch, and find [them] thus, blessed are those [bondmen].
Context
This line reinforces the call to enduring alertness, no matter how long the wait. It sets up a contrasting image in the next verse: a homeowner thwarting a thief by watching at the known hour, illustrating the need to stay vigilant because the timing of the Lord’s coming is unknown. The following verse will apply it directly to the Son of man’s unexpected arrival.
v.37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them.
v.38This passage
v.39But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 25:6
But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief:
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