King James Version

What Does Matthew 24:50 Mean?

Matthew 24:50 in the King James Version says “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,” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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,”

Matthew 24:50 · KJV

Context

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,

51

And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. cut: or, cut him off

Read Matthew 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Unprepared Servant and Christ's Return

This verse forms the climax of Jesus's parable about the faithful and evil servant, emphasizing the certainty and unexpectedness of His return. The Greek phrase hēxei ho kyrios (ἥξει ὁ κύριος, "the lord will come") uses the future indicative, stressing absolute certainty—not "might come" but "will come." The timing is described with deliberate ambiguity: "in a day when he looketh not" (hē ou prosdoka) and "in an hour that he is not aware of" (hē ou ginōskei).

This double emphasis on unexpected timing addresses the evil servant's presumption in verse 48: "My lord delayeth his coming." The unfaithful servant's problem wasn't theological ignorance but practical unbelief—he knew the master would return but acted as though he wouldn't. The phrase "looketh not" implies active expectation, while "is not aware of" suggests knowledge; together they indicate the servant's willful negligence.

The verse applies to Christ's second coming, warning against presumption based on delayed fulfillment. Two thousand years after Jesus spoke these words, the warning remains urgent: Christ's return will be sudden, unexpected, and certain. The passage calls believers to constant readiness, faithful stewardship, and watchful anticipation—living each day as though it might be the day of His appearing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Olivet Discourse and Early Church Expectation

Jesus delivered this teaching on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24:3) during Passion Week, just days before His crucifixion (AD 30 or 33). The disciples had asked about the destruction of the temple and the signs of His coming—questions prompted by Jesus's prediction that the magnificent Herodian temple would be utterly destroyed (Matthew 24:2). Christ's response blended near fulfillment (Jerusalem's destruction in AD 70) with far fulfillment (His second coming).

The early church lived in constant expectation of Christ's imminent return. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about those who had died before the Lord's coming (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), indicating believers expected it within their lifetime. Yet Jesus's parable warned against both presumption ("my lord delays") and complacency. The evil servant represents false professors who begin well but, presuming on Christ's patience, gradually abandon faithfulness. This parable shaped early Christian ethics: believers were to live as perpetual stewards, always ready to give account, whether Christ returned in their lifetime or generations later.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can believers maintain genuine readiness for Christ's return without falling into date-setting or fearful speculation?
  2. What practical difference should the certainty of Christ's unexpected return make in our daily decision-making?
  3. In what ways might modern Christians be guilty of living as though 'the Lord delays His coming'?
  4. How does this warning about Christ's timing relate to Peter's teaching that God's patience provides opportunity for repentance (2 Peter 3:9)?
  5. What characteristics distinguish the faithful servant from the evil servant in Jesus's parable?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
ἥξει1 of 17

“shall come”

G2240

to arrive, i.e., be present (literally or figuratively)

ὁ2 of 17
G3588

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

κύριος3 of 17

“The lord”

G2962

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

τοῦ4 of 17
G3588

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

δούλου5 of 17

“servant”

G1401

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

ἐκείνου6 of 17

“of that”

G1565

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

ἐν7 of 17

“in”

G1722

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

ἡμέρᾳ8 of 17

“a day”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ᾗ9 of 17

“that”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐ10 of 17

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

προσδοκᾷ11 of 17

“he looketh”

G4328

to anticipate (in thought, hope or fear); by implication, to await

καὶ12 of 17

“for him and”

G2532

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

ἐν13 of 17

“in”

G1722

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

ὥρᾳ14 of 17

“an hour”

G5610

an "hour" (literally or figuratively)

ᾗ15 of 17

“that”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐ16 of 17

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

γινώσκει17 of 17

“aware of”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

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 24:50 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 24:50 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 3:31 Thessalonians 5:2-3Matthew 24:42-44Proverbs 29:1

Test Your Knowledge

Matthew 24 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterMatthew Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Matthew 24 with CommentaryAll Matthew ChaptersComplete Matthew QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes