Luk 12:35-40 | RWP | e4.org | Be girded about ( εστωσαν περιεζωσμενα ). Periphrastic perfect passive imperative third plural of the verb περιζωννυμ or περιζωννυω (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. ; . Burning ( καιομενο ). Periphrastic present middle imperative, already burning and continuously burning. The same point of the Parable of the Ten Virgins ( ) is found here in condensed form. This verse introduces the parable of the waiting servants ( ).

‏ Luke 12:35-40

Be girded about ( εστωσαν περιεζωσμενα ). Periphrastic perfect passive imperative third plural of the verb περιζωννυμ or περιζωννυω (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. 17:8; Ac 12:8.

Burning ( καιομενο ). Periphrastic present middle imperative, already burning and continuously burning. The same point of the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Mt 25:1-13) is found here in condensed form. This verse introduces the parable of the waiting servants (Lu 12:35-40).

When he shall return from the marriage feast ( ποτε αναλυση εκ των γαμων ). The interrogative conjunction ποτε and the deliberative aorist subjunctive retained in the indirect question. The verb αναλυω, very common Greek verb, but only twice in the N.T. (here and Php 1:23). The figure is breaking up a camp or loosening the mooring of a ship, to depart. Perhaps here the figure is from the standpoint of the wedding feast (plural as used of a single wedding feast in Lu 14:8), departing from there. See on Mt 22:2.

When he cometh and knocketh ( ελθοντος κα κρουσαντος ). Genitive absolute of the aorist active participle without αυτου and in spite of αυτο (dative) being used after ανοιξωσιν (first aorist active subjunctive of ανοιγω ).

He shall gird himself ( περιζωσετα ). Direct future middle. Jesus did this (Joh 13:4), not out of gratitude, but to give the apostles an object lesson in humility. See the usual course in Lu 17:7-10 with also the direct middle (verse 8) of περισωννυω.

And if ( κ'αν = κα + εαν ). Repeated. Ελθη and ευρη, both second aorist subjunctive with εαν, condition of the third class, undetermined, but with prospect of being determined.

Blessed ( μακαριο ). Beatitude here as in verse 37.

The thief ( ο κλεπτης ). The change here almost makes a new parable to illustrate the other, the parable of the housebreaking (verses 39, 40) to illustrate the parable of the waiting servants (35-38). This same language appears in Mt 24:43f. "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 Mt 24:43-51 with Lu 12:39-46 does not have the interruption by Peter.

He would have watched ( εγρηγορησεν αν ). Apodosis of second-class condition, determined as unfulfilled, made plain by use of αν with aorist indicative which is not repeated with ουκ αφηκεν (first aorist active indicative of αφιημ, κ aorist), though it is sometimes repeated (Mt 24:43).

Be ye ( γινεσθε ). Present middle imperative, keep on becoming.

Cometh ( ερχετα ). Futuristic present indicative. See Mt 24:43-51 for details in the comparison with Luke.