But
if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards, the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it, and in an hour when he doesn’t know it, and will cut him in pieces, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.
Matthew 24:48-51
Matthew 24 [37.] “As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and they didn’t know until the flood came, and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left; two women grinding at the mill, one will be taken and one will be left. Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
Matthew 24 [45.] “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has. But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards, the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it, and in an hour when he doesn’t know it, and will cut him in pieces, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. There is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.
Matthew 25 [1.] “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Meaning:
Jesus had asked, “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season?” and described the reward of the servant found doing his work when his master returns (Matthew 24:45-47). Now he describes the opposite: a servant in the same position who abuses it. Luke records the same parable, followed by the warning, “To whomever much is given, of him will much be required” (Luke 12:45-46; Luke 12:48).
- “But if that evil servant should say in his heart”
In the ancient world a wealthy household was often run by a trusted slave or steward. His character was tested most when no one was watching. The trouble begins in the heart. Jesus had already taught that evil thoughts come from the heart (Matthew 15:19).
- “My lord is delaying his coming”
This is the attitude Peter warned about, when people say, “Where is the promise of his coming?” (2 Peter 3:4). The apparent delay is not forgetfulness but mercy: “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us” (2 Peter 3:9). The evil servant mistakes patience for absence and uses it as an excuse.
- “and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards”
Once he no longer expects to give account, he mistreats the people he was meant to care for and indulges himself. Through Ezekiel God condemned Israel’s shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed the sheep?” (Ezekiel 34:2). Peter urged church elders, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you” (1 Peter 5:2).
- “the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it”
The master’s return is sudden. Jesus repeats what he has said throughout this chapter: no one knows the hour, so his followers must be ready at all times (Matthew 24:42; Matthew 24:43-44).
- “and will cut him in pieces, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites”
The punishment is severe. “Cut him in pieces” was a terrible form of execution in the ancient world and expresses total judgement. He will share the fate of the hypocrites, the very people Jesus had condemned in Matthew 23. “There is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be”, a phrase Jesus uses for the final loss and regret of those shut out of God’s kingdom (Matthew 8:12; Matthew 25:30).
The Significance of Matthew 24:48-51
- Faithfulness when no one is watching
The faithful servant and the evil servant had the same position and the same opportunity. Our true character shows in what we do when we think no one will hold us to account.
- A warning for leaders
Anyone entrusted with the care of others, whether in church, family or work, holds a responsibility from God. Using that position to exploit or neglect people is a serious sin that Christ will judge.
Cross-References:
Luke 12:45: "But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’" Luke’s version of the parable.
2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness;" The meaning of the delay.
Ezekiel 34:2: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves!" God’s judgement on selfish leaders.
1 Peter 5:2: "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you," The calling of faithful leaders.
Conclusion: In Matthew 24:48-51 Jesus describes a servant who tells himself that his master is delayed, then mistreats his fellow servants and lives for pleasure. The master returns unexpectedly and punishes him severely, placing him with the hypocrites. The parable warns all who are entrusted with responsibility to stay faithful, to care for others, and never to take the Lord’s patience as an excuse for sin.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible