Peter
said to him, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?” The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times? Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes. Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken, then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn’t expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn’t know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful. That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,
Luke 12:41-47
Luke 12 [35.] “Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning. Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and serve them. They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don’t expect him.”
Luke 12 [41.] Peter said to him, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?”
Luke 12 [42.] The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times? Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes. Truly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken, then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn’t expecting him, and in an hour that he doesn’t know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful. That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.
Luke 12 [49.] “I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Meaning:
Jesus has just told his disciples to be like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding, and to be ready because the Son of Man will come at an unexpected hour (Luke 12:35-40). Peter wants to know whom Jesus means. Jesus answers with a further parable about a steward, a servant put in charge of the household while the master is away.
- “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?”
Peter’s question is natural. Is the warning for the apostles or for every listener? Jesus answers indirectly by describing a steward with special responsibility. The parable applies to all who wait for him, but especially to those entrusted with the care of others.
- “Who then is the faithful and wise steward”
A steward in a large household was often a trusted slave who managed the estate and saw that the other servants received their food rations at the proper times. He must be faithful in his duty and wise in understanding what his master wants.
The reward for faithfulness is great: “he will set him over all that he has.” Faithful service in small things leads to greater trust. In another parable the master says, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things” (Matthew 25:21).
- “But if that servant says in his heart”
The danger begins in the heart. He reasons that his master is late. Instead of serving, he abuses his power: he beats the men and women under him and indulges himself with food and drink. This is a picture of leaders who use their position to dominate others and serve themselves. Peter, who asked the question, later urged church elders not to rule “as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).
Apparent delay is not forgetfulness. “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
- “will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful”
The master returns suddenly and the judgement is severe. Matthew’s version says his portion will be “with the hypocrites” (Matthew 24:51).
- “That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare”
Jesus adds that punishment is measured by knowledge. A servant who knew exactly what his master wanted and ignored it will be “beaten with many stripes.” The next words explain that one who did not know will receive fewer, because “To whomever much is given, of him will much be required” (Luke 12:48).
The Significance of Luke 12:41-47
- Responsibility in leadership
Pastors, teachers, parents and all who lead others are stewards, not owners. Their authority is for serving those in their care.
- Living as if the Lord may come today
The thought “my lord delays his coming” leads to careless and selfish living. Remembering that Christ may return at any time keeps us faithful.
Cross-References:
Matthew 24:45: "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season?" The parallel in Matthew.
Matthew 24:48: "But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’" The unfaithful servant.
1 Peter 5:2: "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you," Peter’s charge to leaders.
Luke 12:48: "To whomever much is given, of him will much be required;" Responsibility matches privilege.
Conclusion: When Peter asked whom the parable was for, Jesus described a steward left in charge of his master’s household. The faithful and wise steward who cares for others will be rewarded with greater trust, but the one who abuses his position, thinking his master is delayed, will face sudden judgement. Those who know their Lord’s will most clearly are most accountable for doing it.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible