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Luke 12:45

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 12:45 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
Luke 12:45 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
42And the Lord said, Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall set over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?
43Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44Of a truth I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.
45But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the unfaithful.
47And that servant, who knew his lord`s will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes];
48but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But and if that servant say in his heart, etc.] Not the same servant before spoken of as a wise and faithful steward, that gives to all in the family the portion of meat in due season, and shall be found doing, and be made ruler over his master's goods but another, who also, as he, is made by his Lord ruler over his household, and is in a like post, and in the same office, but is an “evil servant”, as Matthew calls him, to distinguish him from the other; and so the Arabic and Ethiopic versions read here: my Lord delayeth his coming; though a wicked servant, he calls Christ his Lord; but it is not saying Lord, Lord, that will be of any avail, but doing the will of God, by believing in Christ,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“begin to beat, &c.--In the confidence that his Lord's return will not be speedy, he throws off the role of servant and plays the master, maltreating those faithful servants who refuse to join him, seizing on and revelling in the fulness of his master's board; intending, when he has got his fill, to resume the mask of fidelity ere his master appear.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 24:42-51. Second watch - See the notes at Matthew 14:25. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and if: Eze 12:22, Eze 12:27, Eze 12:28; Mat 24:48-50; Pe2 2:3, Pe2 2:4 to beat: Isa 65:6; Jer 20:2; Eze 34:3, Eze 34:4; Mat 22:6; Co2 11:20; Jo3 1:9, Jo3 1:10; Rev 13:7-10, Rev 13:15-17, Rev 16:6, Rev 17:5, Rev 17:6, Rev 18:24 to eat: Isa 56:10-12; Eze 34:8; Rom 16:18; Phi 3:18, Phi 3:19; Pe2 2:13, Pe2 2:19; Jde 1:12, Jde 1:13; Rev 18:7, Rev 18:8 Luke 12:46”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification