Luke 12:44

What does Luke 12:44 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 12:44 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 12:44 means

Jesus promises that the faithful servant will be set over all the master has. Faithfulness with present duties leads to enlarged trust and responsibility. This is not about ambition but about the master’s generosity and wisdom in rewarding proven character. The principle encourages perseverance: daily obedience in small things is not wasted. The Lord’s rewards are real and gracious, far beyond the servant’s due, and they align with His delight to entrust more to those who serve well.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Of a truth I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Of a truth I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Truly I say to you, he will put him in control of all his goods.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

truly I say to you, that over all his goods he will set him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Verily I say to you, he will set him over all that he possesseth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he has.

Context

The promise of promotion crowns the picture of faithful stewardship and prepares a stark contrast. Jesus will now describe the servant who presumes on the master’s delay, abuses fellow servants, and indulges himself. The consequences will be severe and sudden, underscoring the moral gravity of leadership and the peril of using authority for self.

v.43Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

v.44This passage

v.45But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 22:29

    and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me,

  • Revelation 3:18

    I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.

  • Daniel 12:2

    And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

  • Matthew 24:47

    Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.

  • Luke 19:17

    And he said unto him, Well done, thou good servant: because thou wast found faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

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