Mat 24:43-51 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 43. But know this , etc. If a man knew the hour, or about the hour , when a robber would come, he would be ready for him. So you know not the exact hour, but you know it is near, when the Son of man will come. He will come suddenly, as a thief comes, without giving previous warning, . Goodman . . Thief . A robber. A thief, with us, means one who takes goods without doing violence --secretly, silently. The original word means one who does it by housebreaking, or by highway violence, . Broken up . Broken into--either by the doors or windows. In what watch . In which of the four quarters of the night. .

‏ Matthew 24:43-51

Verse 43. But know this, etc. If a man knew the hour, or about the hour, when a robber would come, he would be ready for him. So you know not the exact hour, but you know it is near, when the Son of man will come. He will come suddenly, as a thief comes, without giving previous warning, 1Thes 5:2, 2Pet 3:10, Rev 3:3, 16:15.

Goodman. Mt 20:11.

Thief. A robber. A thief, with us, means one who takes goods without doing violence --secretly, silently. The original word means one who does it by housebreaking, or by highway violence, Lk 10:30.

Broken up. Broken into--either by the doors or windows.

In what watch. In which of the four quarters of the night. Mt 14:25. Verse 44. Be ye also ready. Lk 21:36 says, that he charged them to pray always, that they might be accounted worthy to escape those things--the judgments coming upon the wicked--and to stand before the Son of man--i. e. to stand there approved by him, or admitted to his favour. He also charged them Lk 21:34 to take heed, and not to suffer their hearts to be overcharged with surfeiting, or too much eating, or drunkenness, or the cares of this life, lest that day should come upon them unawares; things improper if there were no judgment-- peculiarly mad and wicked when the judgment is near. Verses 45--51. This passage is in fact a parable, though it is not expressly so called. The design is to show that his disciples should act as if they were each moment expecting his return. This he illustrates by the conduct of a servant who did not expect his master soon to return, who acted with great impropriety, and who was accordingly punished.

Verse 45. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, etc. By the conduct of a faithful and wise servant he intends to denote a faithful Christian, a servant of God, or a teacher of religion.

Whom his lord. His master. It has no reference to God. It means the lord or master of the servant. Applied to Christian teachers, in the spiritual meaning of the parable, it refers to Christ, who has appointed them as teachers, and who is their Lord and Master, Jn 13:13,14.

Over his household. His family. Christian ministers are the servants of God appointed over the church, the family of Christ, 1Thes 5:12,13, 1Cor 3:5, 4:1,2, 12:28.

Meat in due season. The word meat here means food of all kinds. When the Bible was translated into English, it included, as the original does, all kinds of provisions requisite to support and nourish life.

In due season. At the proper time. As they need it, or in the accustomed times. This was the office of a steward. Among the ancients this office was often filled by a slave--one who had shown himself trusty and faithful. The duty was to have a general superintendence over the affairs of the family. Applied to Christian ministers, it means that they are to feed the flock of God, to minister to their wants, and to do it as they need it, Jn 21:15-17, Acts 20:28, 1Cor 4:1,2.

(n) "meat" Jer 3:15 (o) "due season" Mt 13:52 Verse 46. Mt 25:45 Verse 47. Shall make him ruler, etc. Shall confirm his appointment over his household, and, as a reward, shall place him over all his property. This does not mean that ministers shall have a higher rank or office, but is a circumstance of the parable or story, designed to show the effect of faithfulness. Faithful servants of Christ shall be rewarded. This will be done by his approbation, and by the rewards of the heavenly world.

(p) "ruler over all his goods" Mt 25:21 Verse 48. That evil servant. If that servant so appointed, having this office, should be evil or wicked.

Say in his heart. Secretly suppose.

Delayeth his coming. Will not return in a long time; or does not return as soon as was expected, and perhaps may not at all. Verse 49. Smite his fellowservants, etc. This is the conduct of a wicked servant, who, supposing he would not be called to account, and abusing his authority, gave himself up to oppression, carousing, and debauchery. It is designed to represent the conduct of ministers who are unfaithful, overbearing, and who abuse their trust in the church. Verse 50. Mt 24:45

(q) "in a day" 1Thes 5:3, Rev 3:3 Verse 51. Shall cut him asunder. This kind of punishment was anciently practised. Sometimes it was done by the sword, sometimes by saws. It was practised among the Chaldeans, Dan 2:5, 3:29 and among the Hebrews, 2Sam 12:31, 1Sam 15:33, 1Kgs 3:25, Heb 11:37. It was also practised by the Egyptians and Romans. It is not, perhaps, here to be taken literally, but signifies that the wicked servant should be severely punished.

Hypocrites. Mt 6:2. They are spoken of here as the worst of men.

Weeping and gnashing of teeth. Mt 8:12,13. The unfaithful and wicked minister of God, who lives without expectation or fear of judgment, shall suffer the severest punishment inflicted on sinners in the world of woe.

(r) "There shall" Mt 25.30