Chapter

Matthew 24:50

ESV the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know
NIV The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.
NASB then the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect, and at an hour that he does not know,
CSB that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know.
NLT The master will return unannounced and unexpected,
KJV 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,
NKJV the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,

What does Matthew 24:50 mean?

The point of Jesus' parable is highlighted in this statement. He has said repeatedly He will return as Judge and King (Hebrews 9:28) at a time that nobody can know or anticipate (Matthew 24:36). Now He has used a parable to show how His followers should live, as faithful servants, in readiness for His return (Matthew 24:42). The first servant in the parable honored His master's instructions and was rewarded (Matthew 24:45–47).

On the other hand, a wicked servant left in charge of his master's household makes a different choice. The servant wrongfully concluded that since the master has not yet returned, he must not be coming back soon, or at all (2 Peter 3:3–7). The servant has used this illusion of no accountability to abuse the other servants under his care and to party with the town drunkards (Matthew 24:48–49).

Connecting the parable to His earlier predictions, Jesus assures His listeners that the master will return without warning and to the surprise of that servant. Then, too late, it will become clear to the servant that he has been accountable all along (Matthew 24:38–39).
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