44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

The Unfaithful Servant

45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

Other Translations of Matthew 24:44-46

King James Version

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

The Unfaithful Servant

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

English Standard Version

44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

The Unfaithful Servant

45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant,Greek bondservant; also verses 46, 48, 50 whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

The Message

44 Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.

The Unfaithful Servant

45 "Who here qualifies for the job of overseeing the kitchen? A person the Master can depend on to feed the workers on time each day. 46 Someone the Master can drop in on unannounced and always find him doing his job. A God-blessed man or woman, I tell you.

New King James Version

44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

The Unfaithful Servant

45 "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.

New Living Translation

44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

The Unfaithful Servant

45 "A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 24:44-46

Commentary on Matthew 24:42-51

(Read Matthew 24:42-51)

To watch for Christ's coming, is to maintain that temper of mind which we would be willing that our Lord should find us in. We know we have but a little time to live, we cannot know that we have a long time to live; much less do we know the time fixed for the judgment. Our Lord's coming will be happy to those that shall be found ready, but very dreadful to those that are not. If a man, professing to be the servant of Christ, be an unbeliever, covetous, ambitious, or a lover of pleasure, he will be cut off. Those who choose the world for their portion in this life, will have hell for their portion in the other life. May our Lord, when he cometh, pronounce us blessed, and present us to the Father, washed in his blood, purified by his Spirit, and fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.