Luke 12:45
But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
Original Language Analysis
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
1 of 29
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοῦλος
servant
G1401
δοῦλος
servant
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
5 of 29
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
ἐκεῖνος
that
G1565
ἐκεῖνος
that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
6 of 29
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίᾳ
heart
G2588
καρδίᾳ
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
9 of 29
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 29
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριός
lord
G2962
κύριός
lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
13 of 29
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἔρχεσθαι
his coming
G2064
ἔρχεσθαι
his coming
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
15 of 29
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τύπτειν
to beat
G5180
τύπτειν
to beat
Strong's:
G5180
Word #:
18 of 29
to "thump", i.e., cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from g3817 and g3960, whic
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παῖδας
the menservants
G3816
παῖδας
the menservants
Strong's:
G3816
Word #:
20 of 29
a boy (as often beaten with impunity), or (by analogy), a girl, and (genitive case) a child; specially, a slave or servant (especially a minister to a
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδίσκας
maidens
G3814
παιδίσκας
maidens
Strong's:
G3814
Word #:
23 of 29
a girl, i.e., (specially), a female slave or servant
ἐσθίειν
to eat
G2068
ἐσθίειν
to eat
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
24 of 29
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
This scenario wasn't hypothetical—abusive, self-serving leaders plagued both ancient Israel (Ezekiel 34:1-10, Jeremiah 23:1-2) and the early church (Acts 20:29-30, 3 John 9-10). Peter warned that false teachers would exploit believers (2 Peter 2:1-3). Paul described end-times apostasy (2 Timothy 3:1-5). The assumption that Christ's return is delayed leads to moral compromise and abuse of position. Church history confirms this pattern: whenever leaders forget accountability to the returning Master, corruption follows—authoritarian abuse of power and hedonistic self-indulgence.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the assumption that Christ's return is delayed lead to spiritual complacency and moral compromise?
- What does abuse of fellow servants reveal about a leader's heart attitude toward Christ and His coming judgment?
- In what ways might contemporary Christian leaders exhibit the evil servant's behaviors of tyranny or self-indulgence?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming (ἐὰν δὲ εἴπῃ ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, Χρονίζει ὁ κύριός μου ἔρχεσθαι, ean de eipē ho doulos ekeinos en tē kardia autou, Chronizei ho kyrios mou erchesthai)—The conditional ean (ἐὰν, if) with subjunctive introduces a real possibility. The evil servant's thinking occurs en tē kardia (ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ, in his heart)—internal attitude precedes external action. The verb chronizō (χρονίζω, delay, take time) indicates the servant's assumption that the master's return is distant, not imminent. This false security breeds carelessness and sin.
And shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken (καὶ ἄρξηται τύπτειν τοὺς παῖδας καὶ τὰς παιδίσκας, ἐσθίειν τε καὶ πίνειν καὶ μεθύσκεσθαι, kai arxētai typtein tous paidas kai tas paidiskas, esthiein te kai pinein kai methyskesthai)—The wicked servant's behavior reveals his heart. The verb typtō (τύπτω, beat, strike) indicates abuse of those under his authority—oppressing rather than serving fellow servants. The threefold description esthiein... pinein... methyskesthai (ἐσθίειν... πίνειν... μεθύσκεσθαι, eating... drinking... getting drunk) portrays selfish indulgence and dissipation. Both tyranny over others and self-indulgent excess characterize those who abandon watchfulness. Eschatological forgetfulness produces ethical collapse.