Luke 12:38

38 If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn, ^[a] and finds them alert, those slaves are 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 You must be like people 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 Those slaves the master will find alert when he comes will be blessed. I assure you: He will get ready, have them recline at the table, then come and serve them.

38 If he comes in the middle of the night, or even near dawn, and finds them alert, those slaves are blessed.

39 But know 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 be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit even in the second or third watch