A long section about "the end of the world" or, more precisely, "the culmination of an era." This section on remaining watchful.
Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Matthew 24:48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’
When, however, he says, that worthless slave there, in that heart of his, "He lingers, mine, this master."
We must honor our commitments whether anyone else knows or not.
The NIV leaves out the phrase, "in that heart of his," but this phrase is important in terms of how Jesus see the motivations from actions coming from the heart, that is, the feelings we have. See this article of a discussion if "the heart."
However, notice how the topic has changed here
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "if" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "evil" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heart" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "lord" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "his coming" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "suppose" should be something more like "when."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "servant" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "is" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "to himself" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "in" not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heart" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "heart" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "of his" after "heart" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heart" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "master" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "a long time" doesn't exist in the source.
But - The Greek word translated as "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. When used in writing, it creates complex sentences, but when spoken, it makes a good pausing point so that an important or humorous word can follow.
and - (IW) There is no "and" in the Greek sources.
if - (CW) The Greek word meaning "when" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when."
that - The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." It comes after "servant."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
evil - The word translated as "evil" is an adjective which means many different forms of "bad," including "ugly," "low born," "craven," and "ill." In the NT, it is often translated as "evil." More about it in this article.
servant - The noun translated as "servant" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible. Interesting, usually the adjective follows the noun, but here and in Matthew 24:45, the adjective precedes it.
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but is assumed in an "if/when/whoever/except" clause. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
say - "Say" is from means "to say" and "to speak" also. It is in a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
heart, - "Heart" is from the Greek word that means "heart" both the physical organ and as the seat of emotions. However, this phrase can be read as defining the "heart" and both the "soul" and "the mind." The sense here is closer to our idea of saying something to yourself.
My -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
lord - The Greek word translated as "lord," means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."
delayeth - "Delayeth" is from a verb that means "to spend time," "last," "continue," "to take time," and "to linger." It is very close to how we say, "talking his time." It is an uncommon word, used only here and later in Matthew 25:5.
his coming; - (IP) There is no Greek words for "his coming." We do see such a word in the version in Luke 12:45.
But - The Greek word translated as "but" joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. When used in writing, it creates complex sentences, but when spoken, it makes a good pausing point so that an important or humorous word can follow.
suppose - (WW) The Greek word meaning "suppose t" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when."
that - The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there." It comes after "servant."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
servant - The noun translated as "servant" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible. Interesting, usually the adjective follows the noun, but here and in Matthew 24:45, the adjective precedes it.
is -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "it" in the Greek source.
wicked - The word translated as "wicked " is an adjective that means many different forms of "bad," including "ugly," "low born," "craven," and "ill." In the NT, it is often translated as "evil." More about it in this article.
and -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "it" in the Greek source.
says - "Say" is from means "to say" and "to speak" also. It is in a form that indicates something that might happen at some time.
to himself, - (IP) There is no Greek words for "to myself." We do see such a word in the version in Luke 12:45.
missing "in" -- (MW) The untranslated word "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
heart, - "Heart" is from the Greek word that means "heart" both the physical organ and as the seat of emotions. However, this phrase can be read as defining the "heart" and both the "soul" and "the mind." The sense here is closer to our idea of saying something to yourself.
missing "of his" -- (MW) The untranslated word "of his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."
My -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun. This pronoun follows the noun so "of mine."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
master - The Greek word translated as "master ," means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."
staying away- "Delayeth" is from a verb that means "to spend time," "last," "continue," "to take time," and "to linger." It is very close to how we say, "talking his time." It is an uncommon word, used only here and later in Matthew 25:5.
a long time,’ - (IP) There is no Greek words for "a long time." We do see such a word in the version in Luke 12:45.
ἐὰν [162 verses](conj)"If" is from ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if)and an (might)) which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event.
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so").
εἴπῃ [162 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor subj act) "Shall say" is from eipon, which means "to speak," "to say," "to recite," "to address," "to mention," "to name," "to proclaim," "to plead," "to promise," and "to offer."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κακὸς [7 verses](adj sg masc nom) "Evil" is kakos, which means "bad," "mean," "base," "ugly," "ill-born," "evil," "worthless," "sorry," "pernicious," and "ill."
δοῦλος [56 verses](noun/adj sg masc nom) "Servant" is from doulos, which means a "slave," a "born bondsman," or "one made a slave."
ἐκεῖνος [107 verses](adj sg masc nom) "He" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner." --
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with." -- The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among."
τῇ [821 verses](article sg neut dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
καρδίᾳ [37 verses](noun sg fem dat) "Heart" is from kardia, which means "heart (the physical organ)," "the seat of emotions (especially passion, rage, and anger)," "inclination," "desire," "purpose," "mind," "the pith (in wood), and "the deep (of the sea)."
αὐτοῦ [720 verses](adj sg masc gen) "His" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
Χρονίζει [3 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Delayeth" is from chronizo, which means "to spend time," "last," "continue," "to take time," and "to linger."
μου [132 verses](pron 1st sg masc gen) "My" is from mou, which mean "my," or "mine."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
κύριος, [92 verses]](noun sg masc nom) "Lord" is from kyrios (kurios), which means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family." --
"More likely, however," he said loudly, interrupting the applause. "He could say, the worthless servant there."
He indicated the follower still taking his bows. The follower pretended offense, putting his hand to his chest as if to say, "Who, me?"
The crowd laughed.
"He could say to himself, 'Hmmm, my master is taking his time," the teacher continued, posed as if he was thinking and mimicked the voice of the follower playing the servant.
The other followers laughed harder.