The word "treasure" occurred at the beginning and the end of the preceding teaching and indicated its subject ( Luke 12:21; Luke 12:34). Likewise the word "ready" serves the same function in this pericope ( Luke 12:35; Luke 12:40). Disciples need to be ready for service and ready to dispel the darkness in the future as they do in the present. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Luke 12:35-48 - Ever On The Watch
The Lord leads our thoughts on to His advent, when He will call His servants to account. The day may pass into the evening, the evening into the night, and the night may even begin to wear away to the morning, but the faithful servants keep their watch. Their loins are girt to serve, and the house is radiant with their trimmed lights. Presently He comes, and He raises His slaves to sit at His table! They are henceforth His friends-and His highly honored friends-whom He serves with His own hands. The grandeur of the reward seems to have been too much for Peter to grasp, Luke 12:41. Surely it couldn't be for all. Yes, said our Lord in effect, to all who are faithful to their possibilities and use their position and gifts for others.
How abrupt and awful the contrast in Luke 12:45-48! The greater our responsibility, the greater our condemnation, if we fail. Retribution is the inevitable penalty of infidelity to trust; but it will be precisely proportioned to our knowledge of the Lord's will. There are degrees or grades in retribution as in glory. [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 12
1Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy 13and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns 22We must not worry about earthly things, 31but seek the kingdom of God; 33give alms; 35be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes 41Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges, 49and look for persecution 54The people must take this time of grace; 57because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation
Greek Commentary for Luke 12:35
Be girded about [εστωσαν περιεζωσμεναι] Periphrastic perfect passive imperative third plural of the verb περιζωννυμι perizōnnumi or περιζωννυω perizōnnuō (later form), an old verb, to gird around, to fasten the garments with a girdle. The long garments of the orientals made speed difficult. It was important to use the girdle before starting. Cf. Luke 17:8; Acts 12:8. [source]
Burning [καιομενοι] Periphrastic present middle imperative, already burning and continuously burning. The same point of the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) is found here in condensed form. This verse introduces the parable of the waiting servants (Luke 12:35-40). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 12:35
Luke 12:35Burning [καιομενοι] Periphrastic present middle imperative, already burning and continuously burning. The same point of the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) is found here in condensed form. This verse introduces the parable of the waiting servants (Luke 12:35-40). [source]
Luke 12:39The thief [ο κλεπτης] The change here almost makes a new parable to illustrate the other, the parable of the housebreaking (Luke 12:39,Luke 12:40) to illustrate the parable of the waiting servants (Luke 12:35). This same language appears in Matthew 24:43. “The Master returning from a wedding is replaced by a thief whose study it is to come to the house he means to plunder at an unexpected time” (Bruce). The parallel in Matthew 24:43-51 with Luke 12:39-46 does not have the interruption by Peter. [source]
1 Thessalonians 5:2In the night [ἐν νυκιτί] The ancient church held that the advent was to be expected at night, on an Easter eve. This gave rise to the custom of vigils. Jerome, on Matthew 25:6, says: “It is a tradition of the Jews that Messiah will come at midnight, after the likeness of that season in Egypt when the Passover was celebrated, and the Destroyer came, and the Lord passed over the dwellings. I think that this idea was perpetuated in the apostolic custom, that, on the day of vigils, at the Pascha, it was not allowed to dismiss the people before midnight, since they expected the advent of Christ.” It is noteworthy how many of the gospel lessons on watchfulness are associated with the night and a visit by night. See Matthew 24:43; Matthew 25:1-13; Mark 13:35; Luke 12:35,Luke 12:38; Luke 17:34; Luke 12:20. [source]
1 Peter 1:13Gird up [ἀναζωσάμενοι] Lit., having girded up. Used here only. The metaphor is suggested by the girding up of the loose eastern robes preparatory to running or other exertion. Perhaps recalling the words of Christ, Luke 12:35. Christ's call is a call to active service. There is a fitness in the figure as addressed to sojourners and pilgrims (1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 2:11), who must be always ready to move. [source]
1 Peter 1:13Girding up [αναζωσαμενοι] First aorist middle participle of αναζωννυμι anazōnnumi late and rare verb (Judges 18:16; Proverbs 31:17), here only in N.T., vivid metaphor for habit of the Orientals, who quickly gathered up their loose robes with a girdle when in a hurry or starting on a journey.The loins (τας οσπυας tas osphuas). Old word for the part of the body where the girdle (ζωνη zōnē) was worn. Metaphor here as in Luke 12:35; Ephesians 6:14.Mind Old word for the faculty of understanding, of seeing through a thing “Being sober” (present active participle of τελειως nēphō old verb, but in N.T. always as metaphor (1 Thessalonians 5:6,1 Thessalonians 5:8, etc., and so in 1 Peter 4:7).Perfectly Adverb, old word (here alone in N.T.), from adjective ελπισατε teleios (perfect), connected with ελπιζω elpisate (set your hope, first aorist active imperative of νηποντες elpizō) in the Revised Version, but Bigg, Hort, and most modern commentators take it according to Peter‘s usual custom with the preceding verb, την περομενην nēphontes (“being perfectly sober,” not “hope perfectly”).That is to be brought (περω tēn pheromenēn). Present passive articular participle of αποκαλυπσει pherō picturing the process, “that is being brought.” For “revelation” (apokalupsei) see end of 1 Peter 1:7. [source]
Greek Commentary for Luke 12:35
Periphrastic perfect passive imperative third plural of the verb περιζωννυμι perizōnnumi or περιζωννυω perizōnnuō (later form), an old verb, to gird around, to fasten the garments with a girdle. The long garments of the orientals made speed difficult. It was important to use the girdle before starting. Cf. Luke 17:8; Acts 12:8. [source]
Periphrastic present middle imperative, already burning and continuously burning. The same point of the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) is found here in condensed form. This verse introduces the parable of the waiting servants (Luke 12:35-40). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 12:35
Periphrastic present middle imperative, already burning and continuously burning. The same point of the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) is found here in condensed form. This verse introduces the parable of the waiting servants (Luke 12:35-40). [source]
The change here almost makes a new parable to illustrate the other, the parable of the housebreaking (Luke 12:39, Luke 12:40) to illustrate the parable of the waiting servants (Luke 12:35). This same language appears in Matthew 24:43. “The Master returning from a wedding is replaced by a thief whose study it is to come to the house he means to plunder at an unexpected time” (Bruce). The parallel in Matthew 24:43-51 with Luke 12:39-46 does not have the interruption by Peter. [source]
The ancient church held that the advent was to be expected at night, on an Easter eve. This gave rise to the custom of vigils. Jerome, on Matthew 25:6, says: “It is a tradition of the Jews that Messiah will come at midnight, after the likeness of that season in Egypt when the Passover was celebrated, and the Destroyer came, and the Lord passed over the dwellings. I think that this idea was perpetuated in the apostolic custom, that, on the day of vigils, at the Pascha, it was not allowed to dismiss the people before midnight, since they expected the advent of Christ.” It is noteworthy how many of the gospel lessons on watchfulness are associated with the night and a visit by night. See Matthew 24:43; Matthew 25:1-13; Mark 13:35; Luke 12:35, Luke 12:38; Luke 17:34; Luke 12:20. [source]
Lit., having girded up. Used here only. The metaphor is suggested by the girding up of the loose eastern robes preparatory to running or other exertion. Perhaps recalling the words of Christ, Luke 12:35. Christ's call is a call to active service. There is a fitness in the figure as addressed to sojourners and pilgrims (1 Peter 1:1; 1 Peter 2:11), who must be always ready to move. [source]
First aorist middle participle of αναζωννυμι anazōnnumi late and rare verb (Judges 18:16; Proverbs 31:17), here only in N.T., vivid metaphor for habit of the Orientals, who quickly gathered up their loose robes with a girdle when in a hurry or starting on a journey.The loins (τας οσπυας tas osphuas). Old word for the part of the body where the girdle (ζωνη zōnē) was worn. Metaphor here as in Luke 12:35; Ephesians 6:14.Mind Old word for the faculty of understanding, of seeing through a thing “Being sober” (present active participle of τελειως nēphō old verb, but in N.T. always as metaphor (1 Thessalonians 5:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, etc., and so in 1 Peter 4:7).Perfectly Adverb, old word (here alone in N.T.), from adjective ελπισατε teleios (perfect), connected with ελπιζω elpisate (set your hope, first aorist active imperative of νηποντες elpizō) in the Revised Version, but Bigg, Hort, and most modern commentators take it according to Peter‘s usual custom with the preceding verb, την περομενην nēphontes (“being perfectly sober,” not “hope perfectly”).That is to be brought (περω tēn pheromenēn). Present passive articular participle of αποκαλυπσει pherō picturing the process, “that is being brought.” For “revelation” (apokalupsei) see end of 1 Peter 1:7. [source]
Old word for the part of the body where the girdle (ζωνη zōnē) was worn. Metaphor here as in Luke 12:35; Ephesians 6:14. [source]