Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 12:45

"But if that servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;" — Luke 12:45 (ASV)

These verses clearly imply that Jesus himself would not return immediately but that there would be an interval of waiting and serving (cf. 18:7; 19:12). The attitude of the manager in v.45 is contrary to that commanded in v.40, for he stops expecting the master’s return and begins beating the servants under his care (cf. Acts 20:29–30, which warns against false leaders who ravage the congregation). “Cut in pieces” probably refers metaphorically to the person’s being cut off from the sons of light and going to the place where unbelievers end up.