Devine Scripture

Matthew 24:48

What does Matthew 24:48 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 24:48 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 24:48 means

Jesus introduces the antithesis of the faithful servant: "But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth;" This reveals the root of the evil servant's behavior—a cynical belief that the master's return is delayed and therefore not imminent. This internal thought leads to a relaxation of vigilance and a justification for careless living. It highlights the spiritual danger of losing sight of Christ's future coming, which can breed presumption and disregard for one's entrusted responsibilities.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But if that evil servant says in his heart, My lord is a long time in coming;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And, if that evil servant may say in his heart, My Lord doth delay to come,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But if that evil servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a coming:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But if that evil bondman should say in his heart, My lord delays to come,

Context

This verse introduces the negative example of the "evil servant," forming a direct contrast to the faithful servant previously described. It exposes the dangerous heart attitude of complacency regarding the master's return, serving as the crucial internal motivation that drives the servant's subsequent unrighteous actions and sets the stage for his severe judgment.

v.47Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.

v.48This passage

v.49and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken;

Cross references

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

  • Deuteronomy 9:4

    Speak not thou in thy heart, after that Jehovah thy God hath thrust them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness Jehovah hath brought me in to possess this land; whereas for the wickedness of these nations Jehovah doth drive them out from before thee.

  • Ezekiel 12:22

    Son of man, what is this proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?

  • 2 Peter 3:3

    knowing this first, that in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking after their own lusts,

  • Ecclesiastes 8:11

    Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

  • Matthew 25:26

    But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter;

  • Luke 12:45

    But 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;

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