Matthew 24:48
New International Version
But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’

New Living Translation
But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’

English Standard Version
But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’

Berean Standard Bible
But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’

Berean Literal Bible
But if that evil servant should say in his heart, 'My master delays,'

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

New King James Version
But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’

New American Standard Bible
But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’

NASB 1995
“But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’

NASB 1977
“But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’

Legacy Standard Bible
But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’

Amplified Bible
But if that servant is evil and says in his heart, ‘My master is taking his time [he will not return for a long while],’

Christian Standard Bible
But if that wicked servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delayed,’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if that wicked slave says in his heart, My master is delayed,’

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

Contemporary English Version
But suppose one of the servants thinks the master won't return until late.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
On the other hand, that servant, if he is wicked, may think that it will be a long time before his master comes.

Good News Translation
But if he is a bad servant, he will tell himself that his master will not come back for a long time,

International Standard Version
"But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master has been delayed,'

Majority Standard Bible
But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’

NET Bible
But if that evil slave should say to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,'

New Heart English Bible
But if that evil servant should say in his heart, 'My lord is delayed,'

Webster's Bible Translation
But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming;

Weymouth New Testament
But if the man, being a bad servant, should say in his heart, 'My master is a long time in coming,'

World English Bible
But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And if that evil servant may say in his heart, My lord delays to come,

Berean Literal Bible
But if that evil servant should say in his heart, 'My master delays,'

Young's Literal Translation
'And, if that evil servant may say in his heart, My Lord doth delay to come,

Smith's Literal Translation
But if that servant say in his heart, My lord delays to come;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if that evil servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a coming:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if that evil servant has said in his heart, ‘My lord has been delayed in returning,’

New American Bible
But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is long delayed,’

New Revised Standard Version
But if that wicked slave says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if a bad servant should say in his heart, My lord will delay his coming,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But if an evil servant will say in his heart, “My Lord delays to come”,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But if that wicked servant shall say in his heart, My master delays his coming;

Godbey New Testament
But if the wicked servant may say in his heart,

Haweis New Testament
But if that wicked servant say in his heart, My master will be a long while ere he comes;

Mace New Testament
but if he be dishonest, and says to himself, my Lord delays coming,

Weymouth New Testament
But if the man, being a bad servant, should say in his heart, 'My master is a long time in coming,'

Worrell New Testament
But, if that evil servant shall say in his heart, 'My lord is delaying,'

Worsley New Testament
But if that servant be wicked and say in his heart, my master delayeth his coming,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Readiness at Any Hour
47Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ 49And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.…

Cross References
Luke 12:45
But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk.

2 Peter 3:3-4
Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. / “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”

Matthew 25:5
When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

Matthew 25:24-26
Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ / ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed.

Luke 19:20-22
Then another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth. / For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ / His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow?

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Revelation 3:3
Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.

1 Timothy 6:15
which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time.

James 5:7-8
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. / You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.

Hebrews 10:37
For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.

Isaiah 5:19
to those who say, “Let Him hurry and hasten His work so that we may see it! Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come so that we may know it!”

Ezekiel 12:22-23
“Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by, and every vision fails’? / Therefore tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will put an end to this proverb, and in Israel they will no longer recite it.’ But say to them: ‘The days are at hand when every vision will be fulfilled.

Malachi 2:17
You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”

Ecclesiastes 8:11
When the sentence for a crime is not speedily executed, the hearts of men become fully set on doing evil.

Jeremiah 17:15
Behold, they keep saying to me, “Where is the word of the LORD? Let it come now!”


Treasury of Scripture

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

if.

Matthew 18:32
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Matthew 25:26
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 have not strawed:

Luke 19:22
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

say.

Deuteronomy 9:4
Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee.

Deuteronomy 15:9
Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.

2 Kings 5:26
And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

My.

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.

Ezekiel 12:22,27
Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth? …

2 Peter 3:3-5
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, …

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Matthew 24
1. Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple;
3. what and how great calamities shall be before it;
29. the signs of his coming to judgment.
36. And because that day and hour are unknown,
42. we ought to watch like good servants, expecting our Master's coming.














But suppose that servant
The phrase introduces a hypothetical scenario, inviting the reader to consider the potential actions of a servant. The Greek word for "servant" here is "δοῦλος" (doulos), which can mean a bond-servant or slave. In the context of the New Testament, it often refers to someone who is in a position of service to a master, symbolizing the believer's relationship to Christ. This servant is entrusted with responsibilities, highlighting the theme of stewardship and accountability that runs throughout the Bible.

is wicked
The term "wicked" translates from the Greek word "κακός" (kakos), which denotes something that is morally bad or evil. In the biblical context, wickedness is often associated with disobedience to God's commands and a heart that is turned away from righteousness. This description sets the stage for understanding the servant's internal disposition and foreshadows the consequences of his actions.

and says in his heart
This phrase indicates an internal dialogue or belief, emphasizing that the servant's wickedness begins with his thoughts and attitudes. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. Proverbs 4:23 (BSB) states, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life," underscoring the importance of one's inner life in determining outward actions.

My master will be away a long time
The servant's assumption reflects a misunderstanding or disregard for the master's return. The Greek word for "master" is "κύριος" (kyrios), often used to denote authority and lordship, and in the New Testament, it frequently refers to Jesus Christ. The servant's presumption of a delayed return leads to complacency and neglect of duty. This mirrors the warnings throughout Scripture about the unexpected nature of Christ's second coming, urging believers to remain vigilant and faithful. The phrase serves as a caution against spiritual lethargy and the dangers of assuming there is ample time to amend one's ways.

(48) But and if that evil servant.--Better, but if that evil servant, the "and" being in modern English usage superfluous, and representing originally a different conjunction.

My lord delayeth his coming.--The temper described is identical with that portrayed in 2Peter 3:3-4. The words are memorable as implying the prescience, even in the immediate context of words that indicate nearness, that there would be what to men would seem delay. Those who looked on that delay as St. Peter looked on it would continue watchful, but the selfish and ungodly would be tempted by it to forget that Christ comes to men in more senses and more ways than one. The tyranny and sensuality which have at times stained the annals of the Church of Christ have had their origin in this forgetfulness, that though the final coming may be delayed, the Judge is ever near, even at the doors (James 5:9).

Verse 48. - But and if (ἐὰν δὲ). "And" is a remnant of an old use of the word, meaning "it'," so that it is here redundant, and the translation should he simply, but if; si autem. That evil servant (ὁ κακὸς δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος) is in a sense the same as he who, in ver. 45, was regarded as faithful and prudent. The opposite case is here put; he is supposed to be wicked and untrustworthy; he no longer is always watching for his lord's coming and endeavouring to be always ready, because he knows that he may at any moment be called to account. My lord delayeth [his coming]. B, א, and other good manuscripts omit ἐλθεῖν as unnecessary. Revised Version, my lord tarrieth, he brings himself to believe that the day of reckoning is still distant, and that he will have plenty of time to prepare his accounts before the settlement is called for. So men put off the day of repentance, saying, "Tomorrow, tomorrow," when they ought to feel that the present alone is theirs in which to prepare for judgment.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

suppose
Ἐὰν (Ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

that
ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

servant
δοῦλος (doulos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.

[is] wicked
κακὸς (kakos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2556: Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.

[and] says
εἴπῃ (eipē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

heart,
καρδίᾳ (kardia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2588: Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.

‘My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

master
κύριος (kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

will be away a long time.’
Χρονίζει (Chronizei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5549: To delay, tarry, linger, spend time. From chronos; to take time, i.e. Linger.


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Matthew 24:47
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