Chapter

Matthew 24:49

ESV and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards,
NIV and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.
NASB and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and he eats and drinks with those habitually drunk;
CSB and starts to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards,
NLT and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk?
KJV And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

What does Matthew 24:49 mean?

In a parable, Jesus compares two servants left in positions of responsibility over their masters' households. One servant has been loyal and responsible in fulfilling the work left for him to do, including seeing that other servants under his care are fed and taken care of. That servant is blessed by his master (Matthew 24:45–47).

The other servant in this parable is wicked. He has assumed that if his master has not returned by now, he will not be coming back any time soon (2 Peter 3:3–7). Believing this, the wicked servant abandons the job he was given to do. Instead of caring for the other servants, he uses his position of authority to beat and abuse them. Instead of exercising self-control so that he can wisely carry out his duties, he starts partying with the town drunkards. His leadership over the household is characterized by the pursuit of his own pleasure and arrogant cruelty towards others.

When the master returns, this servant will face harsh consequences (Matthew 24:50–51).
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