Luke Chapter 12 · Verse 38
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
2 of 21
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ἔλθῃ
come
G2064
ἔλθῃ
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
3 of 21
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δευτέρᾳ
the second
G1208
δευτέρᾳ
the second
Strong's:
G1208
Word #:
6 of 21
(ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb)
φυλακῇ,
watch
G5438
φυλακῇ,
watch
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
7 of 21
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τρίτῃ
the third
G5154
τρίτῃ
the third
Strong's:
G5154
Word #:
11 of 21
third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly
φυλακῇ,
watch
G5438
φυλακῇ,
watch
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
12 of 21
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
ἔλθῃ
come
G2064
ἔλθῃ
come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
13 of 21
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μακάριοί
blessed
G3107
μακάριοί
blessed
Strong's:
G3107
Word #:
17 of 21
supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Night watches were crucial in ancient warfare and household security. Guards who fell asleep on duty faced severe punishment, even death, because their negligence endangered the entire community. Jesus' hearers would immediately grasp the seriousness of maintaining vigilance through the difficult late-night hours. Early Christians expected Christ's imminent return (Romans 13:11-12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), but as time passed, some grew complacent (2 Peter 3:3-4). This parable addresses the danger of abandoning watchfulness due to apparent delay.
Questions for Reflection
- What does sustained watchfulness through the second and third watches teach about enduring faithfulness despite apparent delay?
- How should the uncertainty of Christ's return timing affect daily Christian living and long-term perseverance?
- What spiritual disciplines and practices help maintain vigilance during the 'deep night' seasons of waiting?
Analysis & Commentary
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants (κἂν ἐν τῇ δευτέρᾳ κἂν ἐν τῇ τῇ τρίτῃ φυλακῇ ἔλθῃ καὶ εὕρῃ οὕτως, μακάριοί εἰσιν οἱ δοῦλοι ἐκεῖνοι, kan en tē deutera kan en tē tritē phylakē elthē kai heurē houtōs, makarioi eisin hoi douloi ekeinoi)—Jesus extends the timing scenario to emphasize sustained watchfulness. The phylakē (φυλακή, watch) divided the night into periods for guard duty. The Romans used four watches (evening, midnight, cock-crowing, morning), while Jews traditionally used three.
The second watch (roughly 10 PM - 2 AM) and third watch (2 AM - 6 AM) represent the deepest, most difficult hours of the night when fatigue tempts servants to sleep. The conditional clause kan (κἂν, even if) with subjunctive verbs (elthē, ἔλθῃ, he comes; heurē, εὕρῃ, he finds) acknowledges uncertainty about timing. The adverb houtōs (οὕτως, so, in this manner) refers back to verse 37—still watching, still ready. Repeated blessing (makarioi, μακάριοι) emphasizes God's favor toward those who maintain vigilance regardless of delay. The parable warns against presuming Christ's return will align with our expectations or convenience.