Luke 12:38

12:38 Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, blessed are those slaves!

Luke 21:36

21:36 But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”


sn The second or third watch of the night would be between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. on a Roman schedule and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on a Jewish schedule. Luke uses the four-watch schedule of the Romans in Acts 12:4, so that is more probable here. Regardless of the precise times of the watches, however, it is clear that the late-night watches when a person is least alert are in view here.

tn Grk “finds (them) thus”; but this has been clarified in the translation by referring to the status (“alert”) mentioned in v. 37.

tn Grk “blessed are they”; the referent (the watchful slaves, v. 37) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

sn The call to be alert at all times is a call to remain faithful in looking for the Lord’s return.

tn For the translation of μέλλω (mellw) as “must,” see L&N 71.36.