Luke 12:45

KJV

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

KJV (with Strong's)

But and {G1161} if {G1437} that {G1565} servant {G1401} say {G2036} in {G1722} his {G846} heart {G2588}, My {G3450} lord {G2962} delayeth {G5549} his coming {G2064}; and {G2532} shall begin {G756} to beat {G5180} the menservants {G3816} and {G2532} maidens {G3814}, and {G5037} to eat {G2068} and {G2532} drink {G4095}, and {G2532} to be drunken {G3182};

Complete Jewish Bible

But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking his time coming,’ and starts bullying the men- and women-servants, and eating and drinking, getting drunk,

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:45 presents the negative example of a servant in Jesus' parable who, convinced that his master's return is distant, abandons his entrusted duties. This internal presumption leads him to severe misconduct, specifically abusing his authority by physically assaulting his fellow servants and indulging in excessive eating, drinking, and drunkenness. The verse vividly illustrates the consequences of spiritual complacency and a profound failure of stewardship when the expectation of accountability diminishes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' extended discourse on watchfulness and readiness for the Son of Man's coming, found in [Luke 12](/luke/12 "Luke 12 - Parables and Warnings"). It immediately follows Peter's question in [Luke 12:41](/luke/12-41 "Luke 12:41 - Peter's Question") about whether the preceding parable of the watchful servants ([Luke 12:35-40](/luke/12-35-40 "Luke 12:35-40 - Be Ready for the Lord's Return")) applies to the disciples or to everyone. Jesus responds by introducing the parable of the faithful and unfaithful steward, beginning in [Luke 12:42](/luke/12-42 "Luke 12:42 - The Faithful and Wise Steward"). While [Luke 12:42-44](/luke/12-42-44 "Luke 12:42-44 - The Faithful Steward") describes the diligent and blessed steward, verse 45 sharply contrasts this by detailing the actions of the unfaithful servant. This stark juxtaposition serves to highlight the severe consequences of neglecting one's duties due to a perceived delay in the master's return, providing a cautionary example for all who are entrusted with responsibility.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, large estates and households were commonly managed by trusted slaves or stewards (οἰκονόμος, *oikonomos*). These individuals held significant authority and responsibility in their master's absence, overseeing other servants, managing resources, and ensuring the smooth operation of the household. The master's return, often unpredictable, would involve an audit of the steward's performance. While discipline, including physical punishment, was a recognized aspect of ancient servitude, excessive or unjustified violence against fellow servants would have been a clear abuse of power. Similarly, excessive feasting and drunkenness, though part of social life, indicated a lack of self-control and often moral decay, especially for someone in a position of responsibility. Jesus leverages these familiar societal structures and expectations to teach spiritual truths about accountability, the proper exercise of authority, and the importance of living responsibly in anticipation of a divine reckoning.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 12:45 contributes significantly to several key themes within Jesus' teaching. Foremost is the theme of **watchfulness and readiness** for the Lord's return, a consistent emphasis throughout Luke's Gospel, as seen in passages like [Luke 21:34-36](/luke/21-34-36 "Luke 21:34-36 - Watchfulness and Prayer"). The servant's internal conviction, "My lord delayeth his coming," directly addresses the danger of **spiritual complacency** and a diminished sense of urgency regarding divine accountability, a warning echoed in [2 Peter 3:3-4](/2_peter/3-3-4 "2 Peter 3:3-4 - Scoffers Regarding the Lord's Coming"). The servant's actions also powerfully illustrate the **abuse of authority and stewardship**, contrasting sharply with the faithful steward's diligent care. This highlights the corruption that can arise when power is not exercised with integrity and love, a concept Jesus frequently addressed concerning leadership (e.g., [Luke 22:24-27](/luke/22-24-27 "Luke 22:24-27 - True Greatness")). Finally, the servant's descent into self-indulgence and drunkenness underscores the theme of **worldliness versus spiritual discipline**, emphasizing the importance of sober living and self-control while awaiting the Master's return ([Titus 2:11-12](/titus/2-11-12 "Titus 2:11-12 - Living Godly Lives")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **servant (Greek, _doûlos'_):** From G1401, this term signifies "a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)." In this context, it emphasizes the individual's complete allegiance and responsibility to their master. The unfaithful *doûlos* here represents anyone entrusted with a task or authority, highlighting the profound betrayal of trust when such a person acts contrary to their master's will, forgetting their inherent state of subservience.
* **delayeth (Greek, _chronízō'_):** Derived from G5549, meaning "to take time, i.e. linger:--delay, tarry." This word describes the servant's internal, subjective perception that the master's return is not imminent. It is this *belief* in a prolonged absence that provides the psychological justification for his negligence and misconduct, rather than an objective fact of the master's actual delay. It warns against the spiritual danger of presuming upon God's patience.
* **to beat (Greek, _týptō'_):** From G5180, this verb means "to 'thump', i.e. cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows." It denotes a sustained and violent physical assault, distinguishing it from a single strike. This choice of word vividly portrays the servant's tyrannical and abusive exercise of power over those under his charge, transforming his stewardship into cruel oppression.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But and if that servant say in his heart":** This opening clause introduces the hypothetical scenario of the unfaithful steward. The phrase "in his heart" is crucial, indicating that the servant's failure originates not from an external command but from an internal conviction or self-deception. It highlights the dangerous power of one's inner thoughts and beliefs in shaping behavior.
* **"My lord delayeth his coming;":** This is the core presumption that drives the servant's subsequent actions. He convinces himself that his master will not return soon, thereby removing the immediate pressure of accountability. This belief serves as a rationalization for abandoning his duties and indulging his desires, demonstrating how a distorted perception of the Lord's timing can lead to spiritual negligence.
* **"and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens,":** This clause describes the servant's immediate and severe abuse of his entrusted authority. Instead of caring for and managing his fellow servants, he exploits his position by inflicting physical violence upon them, both male and female. This action reveals a heart devoid of compassion and a complete disregard for the master's presumed will to care for his household.
* **"and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;":** This final part of the verse details the servant's descent into self-indulgence and moral decay. His focus shifts entirely from dutiful service to personal gratification, characterized by excessive feasting and intoxication. This behavior signifies a complete abandonment of self-control, responsibility, and sober living, showcasing the worldly pursuits that distract from spiritual readiness and duty.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:45 masterfully employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its cautionary message. **Contrast** is implicitly central, setting the unfaithful servant's dereliction of duty against the faithful steward's diligence described just prior in the parable. The servant's internal thought, "My lord delayeth his coming," functions as a powerful **rationalization**, a self-deceptive justification that enables his subsequent immoral behavior. The progression of his actions—from an internal presumption to external abuse and then self-indulgence—illustrates a dangerous **slippery slope**, demonstrating how one spiritual failing (lack of watchfulness) can rapidly lead to a cascade of others (tyranny, debauchery, and moral decay). The vivid and stark imagery of "beating the menservants and maidens" and "to eat and drink, and to be drunken" uses **concrete actions** to symbolize spiritual negligence, the corruption of power, and worldly dissipation. This **symbolism** extends to the "servant" himself, who represents any believer or leader entrusted with responsibilities in the Lord's absence, making the parable universally applicable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:45 offers a profound theological warning about the dangers of spiritual complacency and the abuse of entrusted authority, particularly in the context of Christ's anticipated return. The servant's internal conviction that his master "delayeth his coming" is a critical insight into the human tendency to grow lax when immediate accountability seems distant. This presumption leads to a tragic twofold failure: a horizontal failure to care for fellow servants, manifesting as oppression, and a vertical failure to remain faithful to the master's trust, culminating in self-indulgent worldliness. The passage underscores that true faithfulness is not contingent on perceived imminence but on an abiding commitment to the master's will, regardless of the timing of his return. It challenges believers to live with a constant sense of stewardship, recognizing that all authority and resources are ultimately God's, and we are merely managers.

* [Matthew 24:48-51](/matthew/24-48-51 "Matthew 24:48-51 - The Unfaithful Servant")
* [2 Peter 3:3-4](/2_peter/3-3-4 "2 Peter 3:3-4 - Scoffers Regarding the Lord's Coming")
* [1 Corinthians 4:2](/1_corinthians/4-2 "1 Corinthians 4:2 - Required of Stewards")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a sober and direct challenge to every believer, especially those in positions of leadership or influence, to deeply examine their hearts and motivations as they live in anticipation of the Lord's return. Do we, perhaps subtly or unconsciously, harbor a presumption that Christ's coming is distant, thereby allowing ourselves to grow complacent in our spiritual disciplines, neglect our responsibilities within the church or community, or become less vigilant against worldly temptations? The passage forcefully reminds us that our stewardship—whether of our time, talents, financial resources, or relationships—is a sacred trust from God, given to us for His purposes, not our own. It warns against the insidious temptation to abuse any form of authority, even over those seemingly "lesser" than ourselves, by treating them with harshness, neglect, or exploitation. Instead, we are called to exercise love, humility, and diligent service, recognizing that every interaction and every task is ultimately an act of service to our true Master. Furthermore, the servant's descent into self-indulgence highlights the constant battle against worldliness and the critical need for self-control and sobriety in anticipation of Christ's certain return. Our lives should consistently reflect a state of readiness and faithful obedience, not reckless abandon or self-gratification.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "delay" might I be presuming regarding Christ's return, and how might that presumption be impacting my daily choices and spiritual diligence?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to abuse authority or neglect those entrusted to my care, whether in family, church, or work contexts?**
* **How does the unfaithful servant's self-indulgence challenge my own pursuit of pleasure and my commitment to spiritual discipline and sobriety?**

### FAQ
**What is the primary sin of the unfaithful servant in Luke 12:45?**

Answer: The primary sin of the unfaithful servant in Luke 12:45 is not merely his outward actions, but the internal presumption that drives them: "My lord delayeth his coming." This belief leads to a profound failure of watchfulness and accountability. From this root of spiritual complacency springs his abuse of authority ("begin to beat the menservants and maidens") and his descent into self-indulgence ("to eat and drink, and to be drunken"). His sin is a comprehensive failure of stewardship, stemming from a distorted view of his master's timing and a disregard for his master's will, as seen in the parallel account in [Matthew 24:48-49](/matthew/24-48-49 "Matthew 24:48-49 - The Evil Servant's Actions").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:45, through its stark negative example, powerfully illuminates the perfect faithfulness and ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. Unlike the unfaithful servant who presumed delay and indulged in self-gratification, Jesus lived a life of absolute and unwavering obedience to the Father's will, always ready to accomplish His divine mission, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Obedience to Death")). His "coming" was not delayed, but precisely timed according to God's redemptive plan, culminating in His first advent as the suffering servant ([Isaiah 53:3-7](/isaiah/53-3-7 "Isaiah 53:3-7 - The Suffering Servant")) and His promised second advent as the returning King. The unfaithful servant's tyrannical abuse of others stands in stark contrast to Christ's compassionate and sacrificial leadership, who "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Furthermore, while the servant sought personal pleasure, Christ endured suffering for the joy set before Him, perfectly fulfilling His mission ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith")). Ultimately, this parable, by detailing the consequences of unfaithfulness, underscores the urgency and importance of living in light of Christ's certain return, motivating believers to faithful service and sober living, empowered by the Spirit of the One who is coming quickly ([Revelation 22:20](/revelation/22-20 "Revelation 22:20 - Come, Lord Jesus!")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 24:48

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

Matthew 24:50

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Revelation 18:7

How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

Revelation 18:8

Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong [is] the Lord God who judgeth her.

Romans 16:18

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Revelation 13:15

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Revelation 13:17

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.