41 For, behold, he cometh in the first watch of the night, and he shall also come in the second watch, and again he shall come in the third watch.< [ He comes and just keeps coming. does this give us an idea of how hard he is trying to be with us? Are we doing our part to be with him? Is this another way of saying that he is constantly giving us the signs that he is indeed coming, so that we can prepare. He really does want us to be ready. ]

42 And verily I say unto you, He hath already come, as it is written of him; and again when he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, blessed are those servants when he cometh, [ Remember the parable of the servants in the vineyard - those who are apid for a full day, those hires on the second watch, those of the third watch and those hired at the end of the day. It does not matter to him what time we show up to serve, but it does matter that we do show up. ] that he shall find so doing; [ Working, laboring as his servant. ]

43 For the Lord of those servants shall gird himself, [ His is going to pull up his garments and labor right along side of them. ] and make them to sit down to meat, [ He will even go further than laboring with them but he will end up serving them with a supper. ] and will come forth and serve them.

44 And now, verily I say these things unto you, that ye may know this, that the coming of the Lord is as a thief in the night.< [ The thief does not announce when he is coming or you would be prepared fro him, but he just shows up. He does not tell us on purpose so that we can prepare at the last minute, no you need to alway be ready. ]

45 And it is like unto a man who is an householder, who, if he watcheth not his goods, the thief cometh in an hour of which he is not aware, and taketh his goods, and divideth them among his fellows.< [ Just as is the case with us, when he comes he will divide the responsibilities, and the goods with those who are ready to serve immediately. ]

46 And they said among themselves, If the good man of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, a [ Well sure he would have, but then stealing his property would have been harder as well. ] and not have suffered his house to be broken through and the loss of his goods.

47 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, be ye therefore ready also, for the son of Man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

48 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speaketh thou this parable unto us, or unto all? [ Is this message just meant for us, your disciples, or is it for everyone? Or is this second coming some sort of private event that you are going to just come to us, so we are the ones who need to be ready? Or is this global or universal event? Peter is asking who is the target audience here? ]

49 And the Lord said, I speak unto those who the Lord shall make rulers [ Who then are these people here is talking about here? His response is that while the coming will be for all, those who will be rulers are those that are prepared to lead and help those who are not yet ready (see verse 51). Those who put off the day of getting ready for whatever reason. ] over his household, to give his children their portion of meat in due season.

50 And they said, Who then is that faithful and wise servant?

51 And the Lord said unto them, It is that servant who watcheth, to impart his portion of meat in due season< [ To share, to lead, to lift those who are not yet ready. some one needs to be able to do this, and so it will be those who are ready to do so. ] .

52 Blessed be that servant whom his Lord shall find, when he cometh, so doing.

53 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

54 But the evil servant is he who is not found watching. And if that servant is not found watching, he will say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants, and the maidens, and to eat, and drink, and to be drunken.

55 The Lord of that servant will come in a day he looketh not for, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him down, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

56 And that servant who knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not for his Lord’s coming, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

57 But he that knew not his Lord’s will, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required; and to whom the Lord has committed much, of him will men ask the more.