Luke 12:37
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοῦλοι
servants
G1401
δοῦλοι
servants
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
3 of 22
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
ἐκεῖνοι
are those
G1565
ἐκεῖνοι
are those
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
4 of 22
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
οὓς
whom
G3739
οὓς
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐλθὼν
when he cometh
G2064
ἐλθὼν
when he cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
6 of 22
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
the lord
G2962
κύριος
the lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
8 of 22
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
γρηγοροῦντας·
watching
G1127
γρηγοροῦντας·
watching
Strong's:
G1127
Word #:
10 of 22
to keep awake, i.e., watch (literally or figuratively)
ἀμὴν
verily
G281
ἀμὴν
verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
14 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
περιζώσεται
he shall gird himself
G4024
περιζώσεται
he shall gird himself
Strong's:
G4024
Word #:
15 of 22
to gird all around, i.e., (middle voice or passive) to fasten on one's belt (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παρελθὼν
will come forth
G3928
παρελθὼν
will come forth
Strong's:
G3928
Word #:
20 of 22
to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert
Cross References
2 Peter 3:14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.Matthew 24:42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.1 Corinthians 2:9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.Philippians 1:23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:Revelation 14:13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.Isaiah 62:5For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.2 Peter 1:11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.John 12:26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.Luke 21:36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Historical Context
This radical role reversal would astonish Jesus' hearers. Ancient Mediterranean culture was rigidly hierarchical—masters never served slaves; such an inversion was unthinkable. Yet Jesus consistently modeled servant leadership, declaring "I am among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27) and teaching that "the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister" (Mark 10:45). This parable foreshadows the Messianic banquet (Isaiah 25:6, Luke 22:30, Revelation 19:9) where faithful servants feast with their Lord, served by grace rather than merit.
Questions for Reflection
- What does finding servants watching at Christ's return reveal about the nature of saving faith and true discipleship?
- How does the Master girding Himself to serve watchful servants demonstrate the radical grace of Christ's reward?
- In what ways does this promise of role reversal motivate present vigilance and faithful service despite difficulty?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching (μακάριοι οἱ δοῦλοι ἐκεῖνοι, οὓς ἐλθὼν ὁ κύριος εὑρήσει γρηγοροῦντας, makarioi hoi douloi ekeinoi, hous elthōn ho kyrios heurēsei grēgorountas)—The beatitude makarioi (μακάριοι, blessed, happy, favored) pronounces divine favor on watchful servants. The verb grēgoreō (γρηγορέω) means to watch, stay awake, be vigilant—used frequently in eschatological contexts (Matthew 24:42, 25:13, Mark 13:35). The future tense heurēsei (εὑρήσει, will find) points to Christ's return and evaluation of His servants' faithfulness.
Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them (ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι περιζώσεται καὶ ἀνακλινεῖ αὐτοὺς καὶ παρελθὼν διακονήσει αὐτοῖς, amēn legō hymin hoti perizōsetai kai anaklinei autous kai parelthōn diakonēsei autois)—This stunning reversal defies all social expectations. The master girds himself (perizōsetai, περιζώσεται, will gird, the same verb as verse 35), seats the servants at table (anaklinei, ἀνακλινεῖ, recline/sit), and serves them (diakonēsei, διακονήσει, from diakoneō, to serve or minister). This pictures Christ's humility and grace: He who is Master becomes servant, echoing John 13:4-5 where Jesus girded Himself and washed the disciples' feet. The eschatological banquet becomes the servant's reward, but shockingly, the Master serves them.