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Matthew 24:48

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But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 48

PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS. (Mat 25:1-13) Then--at the time referred to at the close of the preceding chapter, the time of the Lord's Second Coming to reward His faithful servants and take vengeance on the faithless. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom--This supplies a key to the parable, whose object is, in the main, the same as that of the last parable--to illustrate the vigilant and expectant attitude of faith, in respect of which believers are described as "they that look for Him" (Heb 9:28), and "love His appearing" (Ti2 4:8). In the last parable it was that of servants waiting for their absent Lord; in this it is that of virgin attendants on a Bride, whose duty it was to go forth at night with lamps, and be ready on the appearance of the Bridegroom to conduct the Bride to his house, and go in with him to the marriage. This entire and beautiful change of figure brings out the lesson of the former parable in quite a new light. But let it be observed that, just as in the parable of the Marriage Supper, so in this--the Bride does not come into view at all in this parable; the Virgins and the Bridegroom holding forth all the intended instruction: nor could believers be represented both as Bride and Bridal Attendants without incongruity.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 48

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed κακός (kakós, G2556) — worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas G4190 (πονηρός) properly refers to effects), i.e.… δοῦλος (doûlos, G1401) — a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καρδία (kardía, G2588) — the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… χρονίζω (chronízō, G5549) — to take time, i.e. linger ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Matthew 18:32rank 6

Then the master summoned him and declared, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave all your debt because you begged me.

Luke 12:45rank 5

But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk.

Isaiah 32:6rank 5

For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink.

Mark 7:21rank 3

For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,

John 13:2rank 3

The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

Deuteronomy 9:4rank 3

When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness.

Acts 5:3rank 3

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?

II Kings 5:26rank 2

But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants?

Matthew 25:26rank 2

‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed.

Ezekiel 12:22rank 2

“Son of man, what is this proverb that you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by, and every vision fails’?

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