Luke 12:36
New International Version
like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

New Living Translation
as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks.

English Standard Version
and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.

Berean Standard Bible
Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.

Berean Literal Bible
And you, like to men waiting for their master, whenever he shall return from the wedding feasts, that having come and having knocked, they might open to him immediately.

King James Bible
And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

New King James Version
and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately.

New American Standard Bible
You are also to be like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door for him when he comes and knocks.

NASB 1995
“Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.

NASB 1977
“And be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.

Legacy Standard Bible
And be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.

Amplified Bible
Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that when he comes and knocks they may immediately open the door for him.

Christian Standard Bible
You are to be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.

American Standard Version
and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.

Contemporary English Version
just like those servants who wait up for their master to return from a wedding feast. As soon as he comes and knocks, they open the door for him.

English Revised Version
and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Be like servants waiting to open the door at their master's knock when he returns from a wedding.

Good News Translation
like servants who are waiting for their master to come back from a wedding feast. When he comes and knocks, they will open the door for him at once.

International Standard Version
Be like people who are waiting for their master to return from a wedding. As soon as he arrives and knocks, they will open the door for him.

Majority Standard Bible
Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.

NET Bible
be like people waiting for their master to come back from the wedding celebration, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

New Heart English Bible
Be like people watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And ye yourselves like men that wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.

Weymouth New Testament
and be yourselves like men waiting for their master--on the look-out till he shall return from the wedding feast--that, when he comes and knocks, they may open the door instantly.

World English Bible
Be like men watching for their lord when he returns from the wedding feast, that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you [be] like to men waiting for their lord when he will return out of the wedding feasts, that he having come and knocked, immediately they may open to him.

Berean Literal Bible
And you, like to men waiting for their master, whenever he shall return from the wedding feasts, that having come and having knocked, they might open to him immediately.

Young's Literal Translation
and ye like to men waiting for their lord, when he shall return out of the wedding feasts, that he having come and knocked, immediately they may open to him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye like men expecting their Lord, when he shall loose from the nuptials; that having come and knocked, they might quickly open to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you yourselves like to men who wait for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open to him immediately.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And let you yourselves be like men awaiting their lord, when he will return from the wedding; so that, when he arrives and knocks, they may open to him promptly.

New American Bible
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.

New Revised Standard Version
be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And be like men who expect their master, when he will return from the wedding house; so that when he comes and knocks, they will immediately open the door for him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Be like people waiting for their Lord when he will return from the wedding chamber, so that whenever he comes and knocks, they may open to him at once.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and be like men that are waiting for their lord, when he shall return from the wedding; that, when he comes and knocks, they may open for him immediately.

Godbey New Testament
and be you like unto men waiting for their lord, when he may rise up from the marriage feast; in order that, coming and knocking, they may open unto him immediately.

Haweis New Testament
and ye like men, expecting their master, when he shall return from the marriage; that when he comes and knocks, they may instantly open the door for him.

Mace New Testament
imitate those servants who stand waiting for their master's return from the wedding, to let him in as soon as he comes to the door.

Weymouth New Testament
and be yourselves like men waiting for their master--on the look-out till he shall return from the wedding feast--that, when he comes and knocks, they may open the door instantly.

Worrell New Testament
and yourselves like men waiting for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may straightway open to him.

Worsley New Testament
ye yourselves like men waiting for their lord's return from a wedding, that they may immediately open the door to him, when he comes and knocks.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Be Ready for Service
35Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. 36Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. 37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them.…

Cross References
Matthew 24:42-44
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. / But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. / For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.

Mark 13:34-37
It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch. / Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. / Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping. ...

Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

Matthew 25:1-13
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6
For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. / While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. / But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. ...

James 5:7-9
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains. / You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. / Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:13
as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20-21
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, / who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

2 Peter 3:10-12
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. / Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness / as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.

Romans 13:11-12
And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. / The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Hebrews 9:28
so also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him.

Isaiah 62:5
For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

Song of Solomon 5:2
I sleep, but my heart is awake. A sound! My beloved is knocking: “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. My head is drenched with dew, my hair with the dampness of the night.”

Malachi 3:1
“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.


Treasury of Scripture

And you yourselves like to men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.

men.

Luke 2:25-30
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him…

Genesis 49:18
I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

Isaiah 64:4
For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

return.

Matthew 22:1
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

Matthew 25:1
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

when.

Song of Solomon 5:5,6
I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock…

Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Jump to Previous
Banquet Bride-Feast Door Feast Feasts Home Immediately Instantly Knocked Knocketh Knocks Marriage Master Once Open Quickly Returns Straightway Wait Waiting Watching Wedding Whenever Yourselves
Jump to Next
Banquet Bride-Feast Door Feast Feasts Home Immediately Instantly Knocked Knocketh Knocks Marriage Master Once Open Quickly Returns Straightway Wait Waiting Watching Wedding Whenever Yourselves
Luke 12
1. Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy
13. and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns.
22. We must not worry about earthly things,
31. but seek the kingdom of God;
33. give alms;
35. be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes.
41. Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges,
49. and look for persecution.
54. The people must take this time of grace;
57. because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation.














like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet
like servants
The Greek word for "servants" here is "δοῦλοι" (douloi), which implies a bond-servant or slave. In the cultural and historical context of the New Testament, a servant was someone who was wholly devoted to their master's service. This imagery is used to convey the idea of believers being wholly devoted to Christ, living in anticipation of His return. The term "like" suggests a simile, indicating that believers should emulate the readiness and dedication of these servants.

waiting for their master
The Greek word for "waiting" is "προσδεχόμενοι" (prosdechomenoi), which means to look forward to or expect eagerly. This conveys an active, hopeful anticipation rather than passive idleness. The "master" (κύριος, kyrios) is a term often used for Jesus, emphasizing His authority and the relationship of believers as His followers. Historically, a servant's duty was to be vigilant and prepared for the master's needs, reflecting the Christian call to be spiritually alert and ready for Christ's return.

to return from the wedding banquet
The "wedding banquet" (γάμων, gamon) is a significant biblical motif representing joy, celebration, and the consummation of a covenant relationship. In Jewish culture, a wedding was a major event, often lasting several days, and the return of the master from such an event would be unpredictable. This unpredictability underscores the need for constant readiness. Scripturally, the wedding banquet can also symbolize the future Messianic banquet, where Christ, the bridegroom, will be united with His bride, the Church. This imagery encourages believers to live in a state of preparedness and joy, anticipating the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

you
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

[ will be ] like
ὅμοιοι (homoioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3664: Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.

[servants]
ἀνθρώποις (anthrōpois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

waiting for
προσδεχομένοις (prosdechomenois)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4327: From pros and dechomai; to admit (figuratively) endurance); by implication, to await.

their
ἑαυτῶν (heautōn)
Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

master
κύριον (kyrion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

to return
ἀναλύσῃ (analysē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 360: To unloose, unloose for departure, depart, return. From ana and luo; to break up, i.e. Depart.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wedding banquet,
γάμων (gamōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1062: A marriage, wedding, wedding-ceremony; plur: a wedding-feast. Of uncertain affinity; nuptials.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

when he comes
ἐλθόντος (elthontos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

knocks,
κρούσαντος (krousantos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2925: To knock, beat a door with a stick, to gain admittance. Apparently a primary verb; to rap.

they can open [the door]
ἀνοίξωσιν (anoixōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 455: To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.

for him
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

at once.
εὐθέως (eutheōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2112: Immediately, soon, at once. Adverb from euthus; directly, i.e. At once or soon.


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NT Gospels: Luke 12:36 Be like men watching for their lord (Luke Lu Lk)
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