Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
41 Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” 42 And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute [the] food allowance at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. 44 Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. 45 But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 47 That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; 48 and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.
Jesus continues teaching His disciples about the importance of remaining prepared for His return. In the preceding verses, He compares them to servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding celebration. Now He uses the image of a homeowner who would remain watchful if he knew when a thief intended to enter his house. Since the time is unknown, constant readiness is necessary.
The title “Son of Man” has a rich meaning in Sacred Scripture. It can refer simply to a human being, but the prophet Daniel describes “one like a son of man” who comes with the clouds of heaven and receives from God an everlasting kingdom and authority over all peoples (Daniel 7:13–14). The Book of Revelation presents a vision of the risen and glorified Jesus Christ, described as “one like a son of man,” who declares that He lives forever and holds the keys to death and the netherworld (Revelation 1:12–18). These passages help explain the divine authority and everlasting kingship associated with the title.
Jesus uses the title “Son of Man” throughout the Gospels to speak of different aspects of His mission: His authority during His earthly ministry (Luke 5:24), His suffering, death, and Resurrection (Luke 9:22), and His future coming in glory (Luke 21:27). In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks specifically of His promised return, when He will come in glory to judge humanity. Because His coming will occur at an unexpected hour (v. 40), the disciples' readiness depends on how faithfully they live while awaiting Him, rather than on knowing when He will return (Matthew 24:42–44).
Peter then asks whether Jesus is speaking only to the disciples or to everyone. Jesus responds with another parable, describing a steward entrusted with responsibility for his master's household. A steward is someone appointed to manage another person's property and oversee the care of those belonging to the household. The master entrusts him with the responsibility of ensuring that the servants receive what they need and are treated with fairness and respect.
Jesus declares that the servant who is found carrying out his duties when the master returns is blessed and will be entrusted with even greater responsibility (vv. 43–44). His faithfulness is demonstrated through his care for others. The authority he has received is intended to serve the household rather than advance his own interests.
Although Jesus' response particularly concerns Peter and the other apostles, who would be entrusted with guiding His Church, the teaching extends to everyone given responsibility for others. Those who lead Christian communities are entrusted with caring for the faithful and nourishing them through God's Word and the Eucharist. The same principle applies to the responsibilities people receive within their families, workplaces, and communities. Whatever the responsibility, faithful stewardship means using what has been entrusted to us for the good of others (1 Corinthians 4:1–2).
Jesus then describes a servant who takes advantage of his master's apparent delay. Instead of caring for the household, he begins mistreating the other servants and indulging himself. His conduct reveals that he has treated his entrusted authority as an opportunity for personal benefit. When the master returns unexpectedly, the servant faces severe punishment and is assigned a place with the unfaithful (vv. 45–46). This means that he will share the judgment of those who have been unfaithful to God, with the possibility of being excluded from His kingdom (Matthew 24:45–51).
The warning makes clear that the passage of time does not lessen a person's responsibility to remain faithful. Jesus' promised return is certain, even though its hour remains unknown. Those entrusted with authority are especially accountable for how they treat the people who depend upon them.
Jesus concludes by distinguishing between servants who know their master's will and those who act wrongly without the same knowledge. The servant who knowingly disregards his master's instructions receives a more severe punishment than the one who acts wrongly through ignorance (vv. 47–48). The beatings are part of the parable's severe imagery of judgment, emphasizing the seriousness of deliberately neglecting known responsibilities.
The distinction shows that God judges each person with justice, considering both what the person knew was right and how freely that person chose to act. Someone who understands what God expects but deliberately disregards it bears greater responsibility than someone who acts wrongly without fully understanding what is required. Jesus teaches this same principle when He explains that those who claim to see the truth bear responsibility for rejecting it (John 9:39–41). James likewise teaches that knowing the right thing to do and failing to do it is sinful (James 4:17). Although a lack of knowledge does not necessarily excuse wrongdoing, God takes account of each person's understanding, intentions, and freedom in judging their actions.
Jesus brings these teachings together in His concluding words: “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more” (v. 48). The gifts, knowledge, opportunities, and responsibilities God entrusts to us carry an obligation to use them faithfully in His service and for the good of others. Readiness for the Lord's return is therefore expressed through a life of faithful service, especially in the care we provide to those entrusted to us.
Lord Jesus, help us remain faithful to You in the responsibilities You have entrusted to us. Give us wisdom to recognize Your will and generosity to care for others with patience, justice, and love. May our daily service prepare us to welcome You when You come. Amen.
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Sources and References
- The New American Bible, Revised Edition. Washington, DC: Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, 2011. Luke 12:39–48 and notes.
- Hahn, Scott, and Curtis Mitch. The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: New Testament. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2010. 133.
- Casciaro, Jose Maria, general editor. The Navarre Bible: New Testament, Expanded Edition. Dublin: Four Courts Press; New York: Scepter Publishers, 2008. 304–305.
- Brown, Raymond E., Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and Roland E. Murphy, editors. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1990. 704–705, paragraph 136.
- Gadenz, Pablo T. The Gospel of Luke. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018. 243–246.
- Aguilar Chiu, José Enrique, et al., editors. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. New York: Paulist Press, 2018. 1070–1071.
- Collins, John J., Gina Hens-Piazza, Barbara Reid, OP, and Donald Senior, CP, editors. The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century. 3rd fully revised edition. London: T&T Clark, 2022. 1330–1331.
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