Luk 12:35-48 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Luke 12:35-48: 12:35-48 Jesus compared his faithful followers to servants in a master’s household who were always prepared for his return and faithfully managed the resources he had left with them. 12:35 keep your lamps burning: This is a picture of readiness and vigilance (Exod 27:20-21 ; Lev 24:2 ; Ps 18:28 ; Matt 25:1-13 ).

Summary for Luke 12:35-48: 12:35-48 ^a Jesus compared his faithful followers to servants in a master’s household who were always prepared for his return and faithfully managed the resources he had left with them. 12:35 ^b keep your lamps burning: This is a picture of readiness and vigilance (Exod 27:20-21 ^c; Lev 24:2 ^d; Ps 18:28 ^e; Matt 25:1-13 ^f).
12:36 ^g The master could return from the wedding feast at any time of day or night. Jesus’ followers must always be faithful and prepared for his return.
12:37 ^h he himself will seat them: In Middle Eastern culture, the master would never serve his servants! Jesus redefined the role of the master by serving his disciples, giving himself for them, and meeting all their needs (see 22:24-27 ⁱ).

• An apron was typical garb for a servant.
12:40 ^j the Son of Man will come: See thematic note for The Son of Man at end of chapter.
12:42 ^k The faithful, sensible servant was a household manager. Wealthy homeowners appointed gifted and educated slaves as chief executive officers over their affairs.
12:44 ^l in charge of all he owns: Although servants in the Roman world were slaves (the master’s property), they could rise to very high social status, owning property, managing the entire household, and acting with the master’s authority.
12:46 ^m he will cut the servant in pieces: Such brutal judgment was common in the ancient world. It is uncertain whether Jesus was talking about temporal punishment or eternal damnation.

• and banish him with the unfaithful: This could either mean “treat him as an unbeliever” (a temporal judgment) or “send him to hell” (an eternal judgment), depending on whether Jesus was referring to discipline for a believer or condemnation of an unbeliever. The point is that an unfaithful servant faces stringent judgment.
Summary for Luke 12:47-48: 12:47-48 ⁿ who knows ... who does not know: Sins of ignorance receive less punishment than intentional sins (Num 15:22-26 ^o; Ps 19:13 ^p; cp. Luke 23:34 ^q).

• When someone has been given much: Believers will be held responsible for the knowledge and resources they have been given (see Jas 3:1 ^r). A sin in ignorance is still a sin.