King James Version

What Does Matthew 24:48 Mean?

Matthew 24:48 in the King James Version says “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;”

Matthew 24:48 · KJV

Context

46

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

47

Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48

But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49

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

50

The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Read Matthew 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming—The Greek chronizei (χρονίζει = delays/takes time) reveals the servant's fatal assumption: the master's absence means abandonment or indifference. This isn't mere calendar observation but heart rebellion—en tē kardia autou (ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ = in his heart) he concludes delay equals permission to abandon duty.

The 'evil servant' (kakos doulos, κακὸς δοῦλος) is not a different person but the same servant corrupted by the master's absence. The delay tests character. Peter later warns that scoffers will say 'Where is the promise of His coming?' (2 Peter 3:4)—exactly this heart attitude. The danger isn't the master's delay but the servant's response to it: using freedom for license rather than faithful stewardship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

By the time Matthew wrote (AD 60s-80s?), some believers were struggling with Christ's 'delay' (2 Peter 3:8-9). Jesus predicted this precise temptation. The 'delay' becomes a test: will we serve faithfully for decades, centuries, millennia without visible Master presence? The evil servant represents apostates and false teachers who use Christ's 'delay' to justify worldliness and abuse of authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How has Christ's 2,000-year 'delay' affected your urgency about His return and daily faithfulness?
  2. What heart attitudes or behaviors in your life might indicate you're treating Christ's absence as permission for compromise?
  3. How can you guard against the insidious 'in the heart' dialogue that leads to spiritual complacency?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
ἐὰν1 of 16

“if”

G1437

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

δὲ2 of 16

“But and”

G1161

but, and, etc

εἴπῃ3 of 16

“shall say”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ὁ4 of 16
G3588

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

κακὸς5 of 16

“evil”

G2556

worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious

δοῦλος6 of 16

“servant”

G1401

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

ἐκεῖνος7 of 16

“that”

G1565

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

ἐν8 of 16

“in”

G1722

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

τῇ9 of 16
G3588

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

καρδίᾳ10 of 16

“heart”

G2588

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

αὐτοῦ11 of 16
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

Χρονίζει12 of 16

“delayeth”

G5549

to take time, i.e., linger

ὁ13 of 16
G3588

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

κύριος14 of 16

“lord”

G2962

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

μου15 of 16

“My”

G3450

of me

ἐλθεῖν,16 of 16

“his coming”

G2064

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

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 24:48 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 Matthew 24:48 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 18:322 Peter 3:3-5Luke 12:45Isaiah 32:6John 13:2Mark 7:21

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