Luke 12:40

Commentary on Luke 12:40 (King James Version)

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
(Luke 12:40, KJV)

Luke chapter 12[i] is a sweeping and pastoral chapter in which Jesus addresses fear, faithfulness, greed, anxiety, stewardship, and the coming judgement. Verse 40 sits at the heart of a section where Jesus urges His disciples to live in constant readiness for His return. The tone is both sobering and deeply hopeful. Jesus is not trying to frighten His people but to anchor them in a life shaped by His lordship and His promised coming.

1. Exegetical Commentary

A. The Context of Luke Chapter 12

Luke chapter 12 opens with Jesus warning His disciples about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. He then moves through themes that expose the heart:

• fear of people versus fear of God (verses 4 to 7),
• confessing Christ (verses 8 to 12),
• the danger of covetousness (verses 13 to 21),
• anxiety about daily needs (verses 22 to 34),
• and finally, readiness for the return of the Son of Man (verses 35 to 48).

This final section is where verse 40 sits. Jesus uses the imagery of servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding feast. The point is not to speculate about timing but to cultivate a posture of faithful expectation.

B. The Meaning of Luke 12:40

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
(Luke 12:40, KJV)

1. “Be ye therefore ready also”

The command is active. Readiness is not passive waiting but a life shaped by obedience, faith, and hope. In Christian theology, this readiness flows from grace. We do not make ourselves worthy; Christ makes us His own and calls us to walk in the good works He has prepared.

2. “For the Son of man cometh”

Jesus identifies Himself with the Daniel chapter 7[ii] “Son of man,” the divine figure who receives everlasting dominion. His coming is certain. The early church lived with this expectation, and Scripture consistently teaches that Christ will return bodily, visibly, and gloriously.

3. “At an hour when ye think not”

The timing is deliberately hidden. This prevents complacency and speculation. Jesus’ point is ethical, not chronological. The uncertainty of the hour is meant to shape the certainty of our obedience.

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2. Theological Insights

A. Christ’s Return Is Certain but Unscheduled

The New Testament repeatedly affirms this truth.

• Matthew 24:44 (KJV):
  “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (KJV):
  “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”

Christian theology emphasises that God’s sovereignty includes the timing of Christ’s return. Our task is not to predict but to prepare.

B. Readiness Is a Fruit of Regeneration

A heart made alive by the Holy Spirit longs for Christ. Readiness is not fear-driven moralism but Spirit-enabled faithfulness.

C. Stewardship Is Central to Readiness

Jesus’ parable in verses 41 to 48 shows that readiness is expressed through faithful stewardship.

• Using our gifts for His glory.
• Caring for His people.
• Living with integrity and compassion.

D. Readiness Is Communal, Not Merely Individual

Jesus speaks to His disciples as a group. The church is called to encourage one another, hold one another accountable, and spur one another on to love and good works.

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3. Application for Modern Christian Living

A. Live with Eternal Perspective

Modern life encourages distraction, busyness, and self-focus. Jesus calls us to live with our eyes lifted. The return of Christ gives shape to our priorities, our relationships, and our use of time.

B. Resist Complacency

It is easy to drift spiritually. Jesus’ warning is gentle but firm. Readiness means daily repentance, regular prayer, and a life shaped by Scripture.

C. Cultivate Faithful Stewardship

Every Christian has been entrusted with time, resources, relationships, and spiritual gifts. Readiness means using these for Christ’s kingdom rather than for self-centred goals.

D. Live Without Fear

Earlier in the chapter, Jesus says:
Luke 12:32 (KJV):
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Readiness is not anxious striving. It is peaceful trust in a generous Father.

E. Share the Gospel

If Christ is returning, then the gospel is urgent. Readiness includes a heart for mission, compassion for the lost, and courage to speak the truth in love.

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4. Meditation Guide

A. Reflect

Read Luke chapter 12 slowlyⁱ. Ask:

• What distracts me from readiness?
• Where am I tempted to complacency?
• What gifts has God entrusted to me for His service?

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
(Luke 12:40, KJV)

B. Pray

• Thank God for the certainty of Christ’s return.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate readiness in your heart.
• Pray for courage to live faithfully in your workplace, family, and community.

C. Act

Choose one practical step this week:

• Reconcile with someone.
• Serve someone in need.
• Set aside time for prayer and Scripture.
• Share the gospel with a friend.

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[i] Luke 12

King James Version

12 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:

9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.

11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:

12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

54 And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.

55 And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.

56 Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?

58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.

59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.

[ii] Daniel 7

King James Version

7 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.