Matthew 24:46

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(46) Blessed is that servant.—The words, taken in their letter, seem to refer only to those who shall thus be found at the time of the final Advent. Christian insight has, however, rightly given them a wider application. As there are “days of the Lord” in the history of churches and nations, so the Lord comes to men in the crises of their individual lives; and one such coming is that day of death which closes the trial-time of their earthly life, and brings them into the presence of the Judge.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

24:42-51 To watch for Christ's coming, is to maintain that temper of mind which we would be willing that our Lord should find us in. We know we have but a little time to live, we cannot know that we have a long time to live; much less do we know the time fixed for the judgment. Our Lord's coming will be happy to those that shall be found ready, but very dreadful to those that are not. If a man, professing to be the servant of Christ, be an unbeliever, covetous, ambitious, or a lover of pleasure, he will be cut off. Those who choose the world for their portion in this life, will have hell for their portion in the other life. May our Lord, when he cometh, pronounce us blessed, and present us to the Father, washed in his blood, purified by his Spirit, and fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

This passage is, in fact, "a parable," though it is not expressly so called. The design is to show that his disciples should act as if they were each moment expecting his return. This he illustrates by the conduct of a servant who did not expect his master soon to return, who acted with great impropriety, and who was accordingly punished.

Matthew 24:45

Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant ... - By the conduct of a faithful and wise servant Jesus intends to denote a faithful Christian, a servant of God, or a teacher of religion.

Whom his lord - His master.

The word here has no reference to God. It means the "lord" or master of the servant. Applied to Christian teachers, in the spiritual meaning of the parable, it refers to "Christ," who has appointed them as teachers, and who is their Lord and Master, John 13:13-14.

Over his household - His family. Christian ministers are the servants of God appointed over the church, the family of Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Corinthians 3:5; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12:28.

Meat in due season - The word "meat" here means food of all kinds. When the Bible was translated into English, the word included, as the original does, all kinds of provisions requisite to support and nourish life.

In due season - As they need it, or in the accustomed times. This was the office of a steward. Among the ancients this office was often filled by a "slave" - one who had shown himself trusty and faithful. The duty was to have a general superintendence over the affairs of the family. Applied to Christian ministers, it means that they are to feed the flock of God, to "minister" to their needs, and to do it as they need it, John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 24

Mt 24:1-51. Christ's Prophecy of the Destruction of Jerusalem, and Warnings Suggested by It to Prepare for His Second Coming. ( = Mr 13:1-37; Lu 21:5-36).

For the exposition, see on [1355]Mr 13:1-37.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Ver. 45,46. We have much the same, Luke 12:42-44, whether spake at the same time, and upon the same occasion, or no, I know not. It is said there, Luke 12:41, that Peter gave occasion to this discourse, by saying, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? Our Saviour replies as here, only Luke saith, Who is that faithful and wise steward? The question intimates that there are but a few such. This discourse plainly refers to the ministers of the gospel, whom Christ leaveth in trust with his church,

to give them their meat in due season. He declareth the blessedness of those ministers that shall be found faithfully discharging their trust, and that the Lord in the day of judgment will exalt them to a much greater honour, according to that of Daniel 12:3, They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh,.... Whether in a way of judgment, as against Jerusalem; or at death, when he comes to remove him out of time, into eternity; or at the day of judgment, when he, the righteous judge, will give the crown of righteousness to him:

shall find so doing; acting the faithful and wise part, ruling the household of God well; giving to all wholesome food, a proper portion of it, and that in the right time.

Geneva Study Bible

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Matthew 24:46 answers the question by felicitation.—μακάριος, mplying that the virtue described is rare (vide on chap. Matthew 5:3): a rare servant, who is not demoralised by delay, but keeps steadfastly doing his duty.—ἐπὶ π. τ. ὑπάρχουσι, this one among a thousand is fit to be put in charge of the whole of his master’s estate.

Bengel's Gnomen

Matthew 24:46. Εὑρήσει, shall find) Therefore we are not under compulsion.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 46. - Blessed is that servant. The Lord had asked - Who is the faithful and wise servant? he virtually answers - It is the one whom his lord when he cometh shall find duly performing the duties of his office. Such a one he pronounces "blessed;" and what happier lot can befall a man in a responsible position, than to be taken while diligently and rightly performing his appointed work (see Matthew 25:21)? Matthew 24:46