Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 24:48

"But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth;" — Matthew 24:48 (ASV)

But and if that evil servant — A better rendering is but if that evil servant, as the word “and” is superfluous in modern English and originally represented a different conjunction.

My lord delayeth his coming — The attitude described is identical to the one portrayed in 2 Peter 3:3–4. These words are memorable because they imply the foreknowledge that there would be what seems to people to be a delay, even in the immediate context of words that indicate nearness.

Those who viewed that delay as Saint Peter did would remain watchful, but the selfish and ungodly would be tempted by it to forget that Christ comes to people in more senses and ways than one. The tyranny and sensuality that have at times stained the annals of the Church of Christ have their origin in this forgetfulness: that although the final coming may be delayed, the Judge is always near, even at the doors (James 5:9).