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King James Bible - Luke 12:37

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SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:37

Bienaventurados aquellos siervos, a los cuales cuando el Se�or viniere, hallare velando; de cierto os digo, que �l se ce�ir�, y har� que se sienten a la mesa, y pasando les servir�.

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Clarke's Bible Commentary - Luke 12:37

Verse 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, Sat. b. vi. l. c7: Veluti SUCCINCTUS cursitat HOSPES, He runs about like a girded waiter. The host himself often performed this office. And ibid. viii. 10: Puer alle cinctus: and that the game custom prevailed among the Jews appears from John xiii. 4, 5, and chap. xvii. 8. From this verse we may gather likewise, that it was the custom of those days, as it was, not long since, among us, for the bridegroom, at the wedding supper, to wait as a servant upon the company. See Bishop PEARCE.

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John Gill's Bible Commentary

Ver. 37. Blessed are those servants whom the Lord , etc.] The Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read, �their Lord�, the master of them, or the Lord Jesus Christ: when he cometh shall find watching : for him, and not asleep. The Ethiopic version reads, �so doing, and watching�; girding up their loins, trimming their lamps, and waiting for their Lord's coming: such servants are happy, they will appear to be in the favour of their master, who will take notice of them and show some marks of respect to them; as Christ will to all his good and faithful servants, whenever he comes, whether at death, or at judgment; and who will be happy then, being found so doing, and found in him: verily I say unto you that he shall gird himself ; not that Christ shall really do this, or appear in the form of a servant; but that he shall readily, cheerfully, and at once introduce his servants into his joy, and make them partakers of all the glories of the other world: and make them to sit down to meat ; at his table in his kingdom; (see Matthew 8:11, Luke 22:30) and will come forth and serve them ; with food, yea, will feed them himself, and lead them to fountains of living water, ( Revelation 7:17) The Arabic version renders it, �he shall stand to minister unto them�: the phrase is expressive of the posture of a servant; who, as Dr. Lightfoot observes, is �lwh , �walking�, and who goes round about the table, whilst others sit f404 : some think there is allusion in the words to a custom used at some feasts, particularly at the feasts in honour of Saturn, in which servants changed clothes with their masters, and sat at their tables, and their masters served them f405 Ver. 38. And if he shall come in the second watch , etc.] Of the night, that is, after nine o'clock, or any time between nine or twelve; for the second watch was from nine o'clock till twelve; and this was coming early from an entertainment, or a wedding, which were commonly kept in the night, and late; or come in the third watch , or after twelve o'clock, or any time between twelve and three; for the third watch was from twelve o'clock to three, which was late; (see Gill on � Matthew 14:25�) The Persic version reads, �in the second, or third part of the night�; and the Ethiopic version, �in the second or third hour of the night�; and find them so . The Arabic version adds, �doing�; as above described, with their loins girt, lights burning, and they watching for their Lord's coming: blessed are those servants ; since they shall be used and treated as before related.

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Matthew Henry Commentary

Verses 22-40 - Christ largely insisted upon this caution not to give way to disquieting, perplexing cares, Mt 6:25-34. The arguments here used ar for our encouragement to cast our care upon God, which is the right wa to get ease. As in our stature, so in our state, it is our wisdom to take it as it is. An eager, anxious pursuit of the things of thi world, even necessary things, ill becomes the disciples of Christ Fears must not prevail; when we frighten ourselves with thoughts of evil to come, and put ourselves upon needless cares how to avoid it. I we value the beauty of holiness, we shall not crave the luxuries of life. Let us then examine whether we belong to this little flock Christ is our Master, and we are his servants; not only workin servants, but waiting servants. We must be as men that wait for their lord, that sit up while he stays out late, to be ready to receive him In this Christ alluded to his own ascension to heaven, his coming to call his people to him by death, and his return to judge the world. We are uncertain as to the time of his coming to us, we should therefor be always ready. If men thus take care of their houses, let us be thu wise for our souls. Be ye therefore ready also; as ready as the goo man of the house would be, if he knew at what hour the thief woul come.

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Greek Textus Receptus

μακαριοι 3107 A-NPM οι 3588 T-NPM δουλοι 1401 N-NPM εκεινοι 1565 D-NPM ους 3739 R-APM ελθων 2064 5631 V-2AAP-NSM ο 3588 T-NSM κυριος 2962 N-NSM ευρησει 2147 5692 V-FAI-3S γρηγορουντας 1127 5723 V-PAP-APM αμην 281 HEB λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S υμιν 5213 P-2DP οτι 3754 CONJ περιζωσεται 4024 5698 V-FMI-3S και 2532 CONJ ανακλινει 347 5692 V-FAI-3S αυτους 846 P-APM και 2532 CONJ παρελθων 3928 5631 V-2AAP-NSM διακονησει 1247 5692 V-FAI-3S αυτοις 846 P-DPM

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Vincent's NT Word Studies

37. Watching. See on Mark xiii. 35.

Gird himself. As a servant girding up his loose garments to wait on the table.

Serve. See on minister, Matt. xx. 26.

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Robertson's NT Word Studies

12:37 {He shall gird himself} (perizwsetai). Direct future middle. Jesus did this (#Joh 13:4), not out of gratitude, but to give the apostles an object lesson in humility. See the usual course in #Lu 17:7-10 with also the direct middle (verse #8) of periswnnuw.