Luke 12:38

38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night ^[a] and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed.

Luke 12:38 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:38

And if he shall come in the second watch
Of the night, that is, after nine o'clock, or any time between nine or twelve; for the second watch was from nine o'clock till twelve; and this was coming early from an entertainment, or a wedding, which were commonly kept in the night, and late;

or come in the third watch,
or after twelve o'clock, or any time between twelve and three; for the third watch was from twelve o'clock to three, which was late; (See Gill on Matthew 14:25) The Persic version reads, "in the second, or third part of the night"; and the Ethiopic version, "in the second or third hour of the night";

and find them so.
The Arabic version adds, "doing"; as above described, with their loins girt, lights burning, and they watching for their Lord's coming:

blessed are those servants;
since they shall be used and treated as before related.

Luke 12:38 In-Context

36 Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.

37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them.

38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed.

39 But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”

Footnotes

• [a]. That is, between nine at night and three in the morning