Luk 12:37 | NETfull | STEP | Blessed are those slaves whom their master finds alert when he returns! I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, have them take their place at the table, and will come and wait on them!

Luke 12:37

37 Blessed are those slaves ^{▼▼ See the note on the word “slave” in 7:2.} whom their master finds alert ^{▼▼ Or “watching”; Grk “awake,” but in context this is not just being awake but alert and looking out.} when he returns! I tell you the truth, ^{▼▼ Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”} he will dress himself to serve, ^{▼▼ See v. 35 (same verb).} have them take their place at the table, ^{▼▼ Grk “have them recline at table,” as 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.} and will come ^{▼▼ The participle παρελθών (parelqōn) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.} and wait on them! ^{▼▼ He…will come and wait on them is a reversal of expectation, but shows that what Jesus asks for he is willing to do as well; see John 13:5 and 15:18–27, although those instances merely foreshadow what is in view here.}