Matthew 24:47
Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Original Language Analysis
ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
1 of 11
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 #:
2 of 11
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 #:
4 of 11
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐπὶ
over
G1909
ἐπὶ
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπάρχουσιν
goods
G5224
ὑπάρχουσιν
goods
Strong's:
G5224
Word #:
8 of 11
things extant or in hand, i.e., property or possessions
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 11
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
Cross References
Matthew 25:23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.Matthew 25:21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.Luke 12:37Blessed 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.Luke 12:44Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.Revelation 21:7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.Revelation 3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.Luke 19:17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.2 Timothy 2:12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Historical Context
Joseph experienced this pattern—faithful slave became Egypt's prime minister (Genesis 41). Daniel—faithful captive became Babylon's chief governor (Daniel 2:48). Mordecai—faithful servant became Persia's second-in-command (Esther 10:3). These types foreshadow believers' exaltation at Christ's return. Paul promises that present suffering produces future glory (Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17)—faithful stewardship now results in reigning later.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise of future reward and responsibility motivate your present faithfulness in small things?
- What 'small' earthly stewardships might God be using to test your readiness for kingdom responsibilities?
- How do you balance serving for love of the Master versus serving for hope of reward?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods—The emphatic amēn legō hymin (ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν = truly I say to you) introduces a solemn promise of reward. The faithful steward receives promotion: from managing the household to ruling over panta ta hyparchonta autou (πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ = all his possessions).
This pictures the eschatological reward of the saints—reigning with Christ (2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 20:4-6), given authority over cities (Luke 19:17-19), judging angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). Faithful stewardship in small earthly tasks proves character for cosmic responsibilities in the kingdom. God tests with little before entrusting with much (Luke 16:10). The reward isn't rest but greater, glorified service in the new creation.