Readiness at Any Hour

(Matthew 24:36–51, Mark 13:32–37)

35 Be dressed for service and {keep} [your] lamps burning. 36 Then you [ will be ] like [servants] 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 Blessed [are] those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he [himself] will come [and] wait on them. 38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night[fn] and finds [them] alert, those [servants] will be blessed.

39 But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming,[fn] he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.”

41 “Lord,” said Peter, “are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?”

42 And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful [and] wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his [servants] to give [them] [their] portion at the proper time? 43 Blessed [is] that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

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. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47 That servant who knows his master’s will [but] does not get ready [or] follow his instructions will be beaten with many [blows]. 48 But the [one who] unknowingly does [things] worthy of punishment will be beaten with few [blows]. [From] everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded