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.
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.
- BSB 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.
- 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 10:3To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
- Matt 25:14–30For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
- Luke 12:36–40And 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.
- Matt 24:45–47Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
- Ezek 3:17–21Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.
- 1 Cor 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
- Ezek 33:2–9Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
- Matt 16:19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
- Luke 19:12–17He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
- Acts 20:29–31For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
- Col 3:24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
- Rev 3:7And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
- 1 Cor 3:5–10Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
- Col 4:1Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
- Rom 12:4–8For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
- 1 Cor 12:4–31Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
- Rom 13:6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
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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
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