King James Version

What Does Luke 12:45 Mean?

Luke 12:45 in the King James Version says “But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maide... — study this verse from Luke chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

Luke 12:45 · KJV


Context

43

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

44

Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46

The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. cut: or, cut him off

47

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming (ἐὰν δὲ εἴπῃ ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, Χρονίζει ὁ κύριός μου ἔρχεσθαι, ean de eipē ho doulos ekeinos en tē kardia autou, Chronizei ho kyrios mou erchesthai)—The conditional ean (ἐὰν, if) with subjunctive introduces a real possibility. The evil servant's thinking occurs en tē kardia (ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ, in his heart)—internal attitude precedes external action. The verb chronizō (χρονίζω, delay, take time) indicates the servant's assumption that the master's return is distant, not imminent. This false security breeds carelessness and sin.

And shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken (καὶ ἄρξηται τύπτειν τοὺς παῖδας καὶ τὰς παιδίσκας, ἐσθίειν τε καὶ πίνειν καὶ μεθύσκεσθαι, kai arxētai typtein tous paidas kai tas paidiskas, esthiein te kai pinein kai methyskesthai)—The wicked servant's behavior reveals his heart. The verb typtō (τύπτω, beat, strike) indicates abuse of those under his authority—oppressing rather than serving fellow servants. The threefold description esthiein... pinein... methyskesthai (ἐσθίειν... πίνειν... μεθύσκεσθαι, eating... drinking... getting drunk) portrays selfish indulgence and dissipation. Both tyranny over others and self-indulgent excess characterize those who abandon watchfulness. Eschatological forgetfulness produces ethical collapse.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This scenario wasn't hypothetical—abusive, self-serving leaders plagued both ancient Israel (Ezekiel 34:1-10, Jeremiah 23:1-2) and the early church (Acts 20:29-30, 3 John 9-10). Peter warned that false teachers would exploit believers (2 Peter 2:1-3). Paul described end-times apostasy (2 Timothy 3:1-5). The assumption that Christ's return is delayed leads to moral compromise and abuse of position. Church history confirms this pattern: whenever leaders forget accountability to the returning Master, corruption follows—authoritarian abuse of power and hedonistic self-indulgence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the assumption that Christ's return is delayed lead to spiritual complacency and moral compromise?
  2. What does abuse of fellow servants reveal about a leader's heart attitude toward Christ and His coming judgment?
  3. In what ways might contemporary Christian leaders exhibit the evil servant's behaviors of tyranny or self-indulgence?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ἐὰν1 of 29

if

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

δὲ2 of 29

But and

G1161

but, and, etc

εἴπῃ3 of 29

say

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

4 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δοῦλος5 of 29

servant

G1401

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

ἐκεῖνος6 of 29

that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

ἐν7 of 29

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ8 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίᾳ9 of 29

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

αὐτοῦ10 of 29
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Χρονίζει11 of 29

delayeth

G5549

to take time, i.e., linger

12 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριός13 of 29

lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

μου14 of 29

My

G3450

of me

ἔρχεσθαι15 of 29

his coming

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

καὶ16 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἄρξηται17 of 29

shall begin

G756

to commence (in order of time)

τύπτειν18 of 29

to beat

G5180

to "thump", i.e., cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from g3817 and g3960, whic

τοὺς19 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παῖδας20 of 29

the menservants

G3816

a boy (as often beaten with impunity), or (by analogy), a girl, and (genitive case) a child; specially, a slave or servant (especially a minister to a

καὶ21 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰς22 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παιδίσκας23 of 29

maidens

G3814

a girl, i.e., (specially), a female slave or servant

ἐσθίειν24 of 29

to eat

G2068

used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)

τε25 of 29

and

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

καὶ26 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πίνειν27 of 29

drink

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

καὶ28 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μεθύσκεσθαι29 of 29

to be drunken

G3182

to intoxicate


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 12:45 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 12:45 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study