It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch.
Parallel translations
- WEB “It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch.
- KJV For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
- NKJV It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
- NASB It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert.
- NLT “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus compares the situation to a man who travels away, assigning each servant work and the doorkeeper to keep watch. Faithfulness in his absence is what matters.
Overview
The departing master pictures the ascended Christ, who entrusts tasks to his servants and calls them to watchfulness until he returns. Each believer has work to do and a charge to stay alert. The parable teaches responsible, active waiting — not idle speculation but faithful service in our appointed callings, ready for the Master's return at any moment.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- John 10:3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
- Matt 25:14–30For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions.
- Luke 12:36–40Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.
- Matt 24:45–47Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time?
- Ezek 3:17–21“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
- 1 Cor 15:58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- Ezek 33:2–9“Son of man, speak to your people and tell them: ‘Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land choose a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman,
- Matt 16:19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
- Luke 19:12–17So He said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship and then return.
- Acts 20:29–31I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
- Col 3:24because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
- Rev 3:7To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.
- 1 Cor 3:5–10What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.
- Col 4:1Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
- Rom 12:4–8Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function,
- 1 Cor 12:4–31There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.
- Rom 13:6This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 13:34 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.