Luke 12:39Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is essential that we remain vigilant. We resemble the owner of a home; if he is alert, a thief cannot make off with his belongings, but if he is inattentive, the thief will seize everything and escape. Some interpret the thief to represent the devil, the house as the soul, and man as the owner of the house. However, this interpretation may not align with the context of the discussion. Here, the thief symbolizes the arrival of the Lord, illustrating its unexpected nature, as one of the apostles states, “the day of the Lord is like a thief in the night” (2 Pet. 3:10).

In urging us to stay vigilant, He provides a vivid illustration that underscores the perils of negligence. He states, ‘If the master of the house had known at what hour the thief would arrive, he would have remained alert and prevented his home from being invaded. Therefore, be also prepared: for at the hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.’ As one of His followers noted, ‘The day of the Lord will come like a thief; the heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth along with everything on it will be laid bare.

In the fifty-eighth chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew, it is written: "But this you know, that if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief would come, he would have stayed awake," and refer to the explanation found there.

To awaken our lethargic spirits, external harm is illustrated through metaphor, so that our souls might be motivated to protect themselves. For it is declared, "Behold, if the master of the house had known at what time the thief would arrive, he would have stayed alert and prevented his home from being broken into."

During a discussion with His disciples, an individual approached Him to request assistance in dividing his inheritance with his brothers. The Lord did not assume the role of a civil judge; thus, He did not comply with this request. Instead, He highlighted how self-serving desires can fracture even familial bonds. He spoke sternly against those who seek to amass wealth by any means, illustrating His point with the parable of the foolish rich man. Then, tying this topic back to His earlier conversation with His disciples, He continued to instruct them on how futile it is for followers like them to be consumed by worldly concerns.

In relation to the necessity for a complete and unwavering dedication, free from worldly distractions, in seeking the rich blessings of the heavenly realm, Jesus Christ instills in His followers an enduring awareness of their spiritual state and an openness to the return of the Lord. To illustrate this, He presents several parables: a) the story of servants awaiting their master's arrival (35-38), which assures happiness for those faithful servants whom the master will find alert upon his return; b) the tale of a homeowner confronted by a thief (39-40), conveying the message that the timing of Christ's return is uncertain; c) the parable of the faithful versus the unfaithful steward (41-48).

The Parable of the Servants Awaiting Their Master's Return In His ongoing teachings to His disciples, Christ instructed them to conduct their lives in such a way, grounded in God's abundance, that they would always be prepared to leave this earthly life and stand before God's judgment. He spoke of the servants who are dressed for action and holding lamps, awaiting their master's return from a wedding feast, not knowing when he will arrive. Jesus proclaimed: ‘Be ye also ready: for in what hour ye think not, the Son of man cometh.’ Bishop Theophanes comments on these words of Christ, emphasizing the necessity of being prepared at all times, as we do not know when the Lord will come, whether for the final judgment or to claim you from this life, both of which hold equal significance.

They must engage in spiritual vigilance and repentance to be ready for it (Luke 12:36-40). "Be like men who wait for their master from the wedding feast, so that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes and knocks, will find awake." He will bestow upon them great rewards and honor them with a splendid feast, serving them with joy and warmth. However, if the servants do not anticipate his return and he discovers chaos, wrongdoing, and conflict upon his unanticipated arrival, those found guilty will suffer the consequences of their actions.

In His discourse, the Lord encouraged His followers to remain vigilant and perpetually prepared for the arrival of His benevolent Kingdom, which, as He stated, will not manifest through visible signs (Luke 17:20). Let your waist be girded, and your lamps burning, resembling a servant who awaits his master’s return from a wedding feast, ready to open the door immediately upon his arrival. This analogy, drawn from the everyday lives of people at that time, compares the Lord’s disciples to servants who stand watch during the night for their master's return; they must be prepared to meet their Lord without delay, with their lamps in good condition—filled with oil and lit.