k, and to be drunken; 46 the lord
of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in
an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and
appoint his portion with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant, who
knew his lord's will, and made not ready, nor did according to his
will, shall be beaten with many _stripes_; 48 but he that knew
not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few
_stripes_. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be
required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the
more.

Our Lord had been warning his disciples against allowing their minds to be
absorbed in the selfish acquisition of wealth, and against being anxious
about needed food and clothing; they were to be supremely concerned about
his Kingdom which would appear in glory at the time of his return. As to
the events preceding this return, as to its circumstances and results, he
taught them more definitely just before his death; here he simply enjoined
upon them the attitude of watchfulness, implying that if his coming was
occupying their thoughts they would be kept at once from worldliness and
from worry, and would be diligent in serving him.

He illustrated this attitude of heart and mind by two parables, the
parable of the Returning Lord and the parable of the Thief. In the former,
the master has been attending a marriage, his servants are awake and
clothed, the house is lighted, and all are ready to receive him. So
delighted is he on his arrival to find them faithful that he is ready to
give any expression to his joy; he even is willing to cause them to sit
down and to partake of the banquet they have prepared for him.

The second parable illustrates the truth that as the time when a thief
will come is unknown, therefore the only way to act is to be ready at all
times for his approach; therefore, our Saviour added, "Be ye also ready:
for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh."

The Master here as elsewhere indicated that his return was to be delayed;
his absence was to be like a long night; much must transpire, much be done
before he would reappear, but his followers must ever be prepared for his
return. This did not mean that they were to be nervously expectant nor
were they to be saying that the day of his coming was just at hand; rather
they were to be at their places of duty, faithfully performing their
tasks, and absorbed in