12:35 “Get dressed for service 1 and keep your lamps burning; 2 12:36 be like people 3 waiting for their master to come back from the wedding celebration, 4 so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.
1 tn Grk “Let your loins be girded,” an idiom referring to the practice of tucking the ends of the long cloak (outer garment) into the belt to shorten it in preparation for activities like running, etc.
2 sn Keep your lamps burning means to be ready at all times.
3 tn That is, like slaves (who are mentioned later, vv. 37-38), although the term ἀνθρώποις (anqrwpoi") is used here. Since in this context it appears generic rather than gender-specific, the translation “people” is employed.
4 sn An ancient wedding celebration could last for days (Tob 11:18).