Matthew 24:49
New International Version
and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.

New Living Translation
and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk?

English Standard Version
and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards,

Berean Standard Bible
And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.

Berean Literal Bible
and should begin to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and to drink with those being drunkards,

King James Bible
And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

New King James Version
and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,

New American Standard Bible
and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and he eats and drinks with those habitually drunk;

NASB 1995
and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards;

NASB 1977
and shall begin to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards;

Legacy Standard Bible
and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards;

Amplified Bible
and begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards;

Christian Standard Bible
and starts to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with drunkards,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and starts to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards,

American Standard Version
and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken;

Contemporary English Version
Suppose this evil servant starts beating the other servants and eats and drinks with people who are drunk.

English Revised Version
and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The servant may begin to beat the other servants and eat and drink with the drunks.

Good News Translation
and he will begin to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.

International Standard Version
and begins to beat his fellow servants and eat and drink with the drunks,

Majority Standard Bible
And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.

NET Bible
and he begins to beat his fellow slaves and to eat and drink with drunkards,

New Heart English Bible
and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards,

Webster's Bible Translation
And shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

Weymouth New Testament
and should begin to beat his fellow servants, while he eats and drinks with drunkards;

World English Bible
and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and may begin to beat the fellow-servants, and to eat and to drink with the drunken,

Berean Literal Bible
and should begin to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and to drink with those being drunkards,

Young's Literal Translation
and may begin to beat the fellow-servants, and to eat and to drink with the drunken,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he should begin to strike the fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with those intoxicated;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And shall begin to strike his fellow servants, and shall eat and drink with drunkards:

Catholic Public Domain Version
and so, he begins to strike his fellow servants, and he eats and drinks with the inebriated:

New American Bible
and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards,

New Revised Standard Version
and he begins to beat his fellow slaves, and eats and drinks with drunkards,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with drunkards,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And will start to beat his associates and eat and drink with drunkards,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and shall begin to strike his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken;

Godbey New Testament
My lord delayeth; and may begin to smite his fellow-servants, and eat and drink with the drunken;

Haweis New Testament
and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

Mace New Testament
and shall pretend to assault his fellow-servants, and spend his time with sots:

Weymouth New Testament
and should begin to beat his fellow servants, while he eats and drinks with drunkards;

Worrell New Testament
and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken;

Worsley New Testament
and begin to beat his fellow-servants, and to revel with drunkards:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Readiness at Any Hour
48But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ 49And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate.…

Cross References
Luke 12:45
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.

Matthew 25:26-30
‘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. / Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest. / Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. ...

1 Thessalonians 5:3
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.

2 Peter 3:3-4
Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. / “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”

James 5:5
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.

1 Timothy 5:6
But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.

Romans 13:13
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Isaiah 56:12
“Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”

Proverbs 23:20-21
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. / For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.

Jeremiah 12:10
Many shepherds have destroyed My vineyard; they have trampled My plot of ground. They have turned My pleasant field into a desolate wasteland.

Ezekiel 34:2-10
“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who only feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed their flock? / You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened sheep, but you do not feed the flock. / You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. ...

Isaiah 5:11-12
Woe to those who rise early in the morning in pursuit of strong drink, who linger into the evening, to be inflamed by wine. / At their feasts are the lyre and harp, tambourines and flutes and wine. They disregard the actions of the LORD and fail to see the work of His hands.


Treasury of Scripture

And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

to smite.

Isaiah 66:5
Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

2 Corinthians 11:20
For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.

1 Peter 5:3
Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

and to.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

1 Samuel 2:13-16,29
And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; …

Isaiah 56:12
Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

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Beat Begin Begins Cruel Drink Drinks Drunkards Drunken Eat Eats Fellow Fellow-Bondmen Fellowservants Fellow-Servants Overcome Pleasure Servants Slaves Smite Wine
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Beat Begin Begins Cruel Drink Drinks Drunkards Drunken Eat Eats Fellow Fellow-Bondmen Fellowservants Fellow-Servants Overcome Pleasure Servants Slaves Smite Wine
Matthew 24
1. Jesus foretells the destruction of the temple;
3. what and how great calamities shall be before it;
29. the signs of his coming to judgment.
36. And because that day and hour are unknown,
42. we ought to watch like good servants, expecting our Master's coming.














and he begins
The phrase "and he begins" indicates a deliberate action initiated by the servant. The Greek word used here is "archomai," which means to commence or to start. This suggests a conscious decision to engage in behavior contrary to his master's expectations. In the broader context of Matthew 24, Jesus is warning about the importance of vigilance and faithfulness. The beginning of such negative actions marks a departure from the servant's duty, highlighting the dangers of complacency and moral decline.

to beat his fellow servants
The act of beating "his fellow servants" is a grave abuse of power and responsibility. The Greek word "typto" means to strike or smite, indicating physical violence. This behavior is a stark contrast to the servant's role, which should be one of stewardship and care. Historically, this reflects the societal hierarchies of the time, where servants were often at the mercy of those in authority. Spiritually, it serves as a metaphor for the mistreatment of others when one is not aligned with God's will, emphasizing the call to love and serve one another.

and to eat and drink
The phrase "and to eat and drink" signifies indulgence and self-gratification. In the biblical context, eating and drinking are often associated with fellowship and celebration, but here it is portrayed negatively. The Greek words "esthio" (to eat) and "pino" (to drink) suggest a focus on earthly pleasures. This behavior reflects a disregard for the servant's responsibilities and a prioritization of personal desires over duty. It serves as a warning against the temptations of excess and the neglect of spiritual vigilance.

with drunkards
The term "with drunkards" further emphasizes the servant's moral decline. The Greek word "methuo" refers to intoxication, often symbolizing a loss of self-control and moral clarity. Associating with drunkards implies a choice to align with those who live recklessly and without regard for righteousness. In the historical and scriptural context, drunkenness is frequently condemned as it leads to a lack of discernment and spiritual awareness. This phrase serves as a caution against the company we keep and the influence it can have on our spiritual journey.

Verse 49. - Shall begin. As soon as he conceives the idea of the delay in his lord's arrival, he changes his conduct, plays the master, and uses his power for oppression and injustice. But he has only time to commence these unrighteous acts, when he is arrested by the very occurrence which he had willfully ignored. To smite his fellow servants; i.e. those who are faithful to their master. Applied to Christian ministers, such conduct would appertain to those who use their authority for oppression or self-aggrandizement, "lording it over the charge allotted to them" (1 Peter 5:3). And to eat (ἐσθίῃ, and shall eat) and drink with the drunken. He indulges in luxury and intemperance, choosing as his companions men of dissolute habits. A self-indulgent minister, or one who is not discreet in choosing his friends and acquaintance, has little influence in checking the excesses of his flock, and is far from being, as he ought to be, "a pattern of good works" (Titus 2:7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

he begins
ἄρξηται (arxētai)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 756: To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.

to beat
τύπτειν (typtein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 5180: To beat, strike, wound, inflict punishment.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 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.

fellow servants
συνδούλους (syndoulous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4889: From sun and doulos; a co-slave, i.e. Servitor or ministrant of the same master.

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

to eat
ἐσθίῃ (esthiē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2068: Strengthened for a primary edo; used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by phago; to eat.

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

drink
πίνῃ (pinē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4095: To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

drunkards.
μεθυόντων (methyontōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3184: To be intoxicated with wine, be drunk. From another form of methe; to drink to intoxication, i.e. Get drunk.


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Matthew 24:48
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