The Parable of the Watchful Servants is found only in Luke 12:35-38. Barclay places it in a group with The Householder and the Thief (Luke 12:39-40/Matthew 24:42-44; The Faithful and the Unfaithful Servant (Luke 12:41-46/ Matthew 24:45-51); and The Servants' Responsibility. (Barclay, DAILY STUDY BIBLE SERIES, LUKE pp. 170 ff.).
The Story
"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men 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. It will be good for those servants
whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them
recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready,
even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. (Luke 12:35-38, New International Version).
The word translated servant is DOULOS, "a bond-slave." (Morgan, THE PARABLES AND METAPHORS OF OUR LORD, p. 193). Paul referred to himself as a bond-slave of Christ:
In calling himself, however, a `bondslave of Jesus Christ,' e.g., Rom. 1:1, the Apostle Paul intimates
(1) that he had been formerly a bondslave of Satan, and
(2) that, having been bought by Christ, he was now a willing slave, bound to his new Master.
(Vine, VINE'S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF NEW TESTAMENT WORDS, s.v., "Bondman, Bondmaid").
The night watches, as they correspond to our time, were:
First watch 6-9 p.m.
Second watch 9-12 (Midnight)
Third watch 12-3 a.m.
Fourth watch 3-6 a.m.
(BEACON BIBLE COMMENTARY, LUKE, By Charles
Childers, pp. 527 ff.).
The Interpretation
The characters and symbols of the story, and the persons and things that they represent in reality are:
1. [Bond]-Servants Believers
2. The Master Jesus
3. The Master's return Jesus' Second Coming
Barclay suggests how the Lord should find us when he comes the second time:
1. With our work completed
2. At peace with our fellow-men
3. At peace with oneself.
(Barclay, DAILY STUDY BIBLE SERIES, LUKE pp. 170
ff.).
The phrase in Luke 12:37, "he [Jesus] will dress himself to serve" is literally, "he will gird himself," the translation of one Greek word, PERIDZOSETAI. Clarke explains this custom in Jesus' day:
37. HE SHALL GIRD HIMSELF. Alluding to the long garments which were worn in the Eastern countries; and which, in travelling and serving, were tucked up in their belts. That those among the Romans who waited on the company at table were
GIRDED, and had their clothes tucked up, appears from what Horace says, "He runs about like a girded waiter." (Clarke, COMMENTARY ON THE HOLY BIBLE, Abridged by Ralph Earle, p. 875).
It is interesting to note that Jesus will serve his followers when he returns. This is a role-reversal of Master-Servant. The Christian willfully accepts the Lordship of Christ in this life and seeks to serve him. When Christ returns, he will serve his followers. NOTE: This is nothing new on Jesus' part: he served his disciples while on earth by a life of dedication and finally, by dying for them. He makes intercession for his disciples while he is away: ...because Jesus lives forever, he has a
permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives
to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:24-25, New International Version).
Central Truth
GOD CHARGES US TO BE PREPARED FOR JESUS' SECOND COMING.
Conclusion
We must be constantly "tuned in" to God, listening for his direction. As we constantly seek to do his will, we will
be watching for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and we will be prepared when he arrives.
END