Peter’s Comment (12:41).

Peter may well have heard the mutterings in the crowd as different interpretations were suggested, and have recognised that the crowds did not really have the background (which the disciples had) in order to understand the parable. Perhaps that was what Peter was trying to clarify. Who was intended to benefit by it? Or perhaps his desire to be the greatest was showing through. Were Jesus promises only for the faithful few? Or perhaps he was puzzled as to how the return of their beloved Lord could be seen as a catastrophe by any true disciple.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

‘And Peter said, “Lord, do you speak this parable to us, or even to all?” ’

Peter clearly recognised that not all the crowd could be expected to understand the parable as he understood it. So he asks Jesus whether it is a parable for the inner circle or for all. Depending on that will depend its meaning for them. He had not yet caught on to the fact that parables contained a number of meanings, and each one who heard it gathered from it that of which he or she was capable.

This was the beauty of parables. All would learn, depending on the stage that they had reached, some one thing and some another. But for Jesus Himself, Who knew the deeper significance that lay behind them, the parables were richer far than for anyone else, even the disciples, for He knew the very essence of them, and the many applications that they could have.

Jesus does not answer his question directly but replies with another parable which this time deals with an individual, but then ends up more generally. Peter can then apply it to himself if he wishes, as may any other of the disciples. For in the end it is for all who will listen. Yet it is certainly a warning to Peter to ensure that in the future he does not go astray in his responsibilities as an Apostle, as indeed once or twice he nearly did, and might have totally had Jesus not prayed for him (Luk 22:31-34; Gal 2:11-14).

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

‘And Peter said, “Lord, do you speak this parable to us, or even to all?” And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall set over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?”

Jesus replies to Peter’s question with a question. In other words He says the choice is up to Peter and the other disciples what they apply to themselves. He is aware that it will be some time before they really appreciate its significance. In it He points to the fact that the lord in the parable seeks a faithful and wise steward. For ‘faithful’ compare 1Co 4:2. For ‘wise, prudent’ compare Luk 16:8; 1Co 4:10 ; 1Co 10:15. The steward appointed will be someone who has already been tested and has proved his worth, both in loyalty and wisdom. And He is to be set over the lord’s household with responsibility for feeding all the household, a picture certainly of the responsibility of the disciples, and later of the leaders of the early church (1Co 4:1; Tit 1:7; 1Pe 4:10; see also 1Co 9:17; Eph 3:2; Col 1:25). Peter especially was appointed in order to feed His sheep (Joh 21:15-17), but this was as an indication of restoration for his failure when he denied Jesus. The same principle would apply to all the Apostles who proved faithful. So each could put himself in this position. And it would not be long before other faithful and wise stewards were appointed, including Paul. They too could pattern themselves on this steward.

His purpose was to be to feed the lord’s household. He was set as a household manager over, at a minimum, the running of the dining areas, kitchens and stores. This was a vital job, for people in such a position had to be absolutely trustworthy. If a mistaken appointment was made it was always open to the appointee to poison the food. It was also a suitable position for one who was to minister the Bread of Life (Joh 6:35).

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

Peter’s question and the Lord’s reply:

v. 41. Then Peter said unto Him, Lord, speakest Thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

v. 42. And the Lord said, Who, then, is that faithful and wise steward whom his lord shall make ruler over his household to give them their portion of meat in due season?

v. 43. Blessed is that servant, whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing-.

v. 44. Of a truth I say unto you that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

v. 45. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming, and shall begin to beat the men-servants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken,

v. 46. the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in under, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

See Mat 24:45-51. Peter interrupted the Lord with the question whether the parable, and therefore also its lesson, was meant for the disciples only or for all the people present. While Jesus did not answer directly, the continuation of the discourse made it plain that He had reference mainly to His disciples. The believers should be ready at all times, they should be examples of watchfulness for all men. The Lord’s parable is a fine bit of vivid description: A servant selected for a position of special trust by his master, given the administration of the entire household, which includes, above all, the dealing out of due portions of food; the faithful servant found engaged in this service upon the return of the master and rewarded far beyond his deserts, receiving the charge of all the goods of the master; the unfaithful servant trusting in the further delay of the master, by which he will gain time for his wicked deeds, beating the slaves of both sexes, taking their portion of the food for himself, to gorge himself to gluttony and drunkenness; the unexpected return of the master at an unusual hour; the awful punishment meted out to the scoundrel. The faithful servant is a type of the true disciple of Christ, especially of the faithful pastor. Those that serve Christ in their fellow-men will rule with Christ in the world to come. And the pastors that have given to every one of their fellow-servants their due portion of the Word of God, and have sought only to minister after His great example, they will be rewarded with mercy far beyond all hopes and understanding. But the faithless disciples, that lived in careless security, that believed in enjoying life, that refused to take part in the duties of charity toward their neighbor, and even were guilty of cruelty to their fellow-men, they will receive their portion with the wicked in eternal damnation. Above all is this true of hirelings that do not care for the flock of Christ, but try to gain from them what they want for a life of ease, that neglect the preaching of the Gospel, that feed the souls with the husks of human wisdom. They will receive the greater damnation.

Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann

Luk 12:41-42. Then Peter said, &c. St. Peter, who had been giving great attention to the whole of this sermon, was, it seems, at a loss to know, whether the parable of the watching servants was spoken to the multitude in general, or to the apostles in particular; he therefore begged his Master to satisfy him as to that point. The parable wasdirectedtoall the disciples; but it contained instructions which Peter thought were peculiar to the twelve: accordingly, by the steward Jesus shewed him, that though his exhortations were directed to all, they had a more especial relation to those who were entrusted with the care of the souls of others. The interrogation, Who then, &c. Luk 12:42 had a lively force to turn their thoughts inward, that each one might ask himself whether he was the man. The meaning is, “What do you think ought to be the character and conduct of a steward, to whom his Lord committeth the care of his family in his absence, as I do the care of my church to you? Why certainly he should be both wise to know in what manner to govern the family, and faithful in executing whatever his wisdom and prudence directed as fit to be done; for thus only all the members of the family under his care will have due provision made for them.” The word , rendered household, exactly answers to the Latin famulitium, all the servants of a family, for which we have no one English word; any more than for , which strictly signifies “a determinate measure of wheat,” but is here put for all the daily-food. By such a version the distinction between this and the 44th verse is set in a clearer light than critics have generally given it. To be raised from the care of giving out food to the servants, to have the charge of the whole estate, was a noble preferment.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Luk 12:41 . Certainly original (in opposition to de Wette, Holtzmann, Weizscker, Weiss), the more certainly, the finer are the threads with which what follows down to Luk 12:48 is linked on to such a question. The succeeding passage at least offered no occasion for either the tradition or Luke inventing the question. If it had been suggested to Luke by Mar 13:37 , the answer of Jesus would also have been in closer agreement with the meaning of the passage in Mark.

] in reference to, for us, comp. Luk 20:19 ; Rom 10:21 .

. .] to wit, of the slaves who wait for their lord, Luk 12:36 ff. See Luk 12:42 ff. The reference to the master of the house and the thief, Luk 12:39 , belonged also thereto as a concrete warning example.

] Peter asks whether the parable is intended for the disciples, or also (or at the same time also) has a general reference.

Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary

41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

Ver. 41. Lord, speakest thou, &c. ] The disciples ever dreamed of some singular happiness, some immunity and privilege, that they should have above others. Hence this question, that gave occasion to the ensuing parables.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

41. ] . ., not the two last verses (Stier), but the whole: Who are they that are thus to wait and watch, and to be thus honoured at the Lord’s coming? This question, coming in so suddenly and unconnectedly and remaining apparently unanswered, is among the many proofs of the originality and historic reality of this discourse (against De Wette, &c.).

Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament

Luk 12:41-46 . A question by Peter and a reply (Mat 24:45-51 ). Some look on Peter’s question as a literary device of the evangelist either to connect his material (Weiss in Meyer; x. 29, xi. 45 cited as similar instances), or to give what follows a special relation to the Apostles and to Peter as their head (Holtzmann, H. C., the passage thus becoming in his view a substitute for Mat 16:18-19 ).

Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson

Luk 12:41 . Peter’s question reminds us of Mar 13:37 : “What I say unto you, I say unto all, watch”.

Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Luk 12:41-48

41Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” 42And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? 43Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. 44Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; 46the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. 47And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, 48but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

Luk 12:41 This is exactly the question that modern interpreters ask of Jesus’ teachings, “Who are they directed to?” There were many different groups in the crowds that followed Jesus; a crucial element of interpretation is “which group is addressed?”

Luk 12:42-48 This is paralleled in Mat 24:45-51, but is not found in Mark. It is these sayings and teachings (those common to Matthew and Luke, but not Mark) that are assumed to have been contained in a list of Jesus’ sayings that modern biblical scholars called “Quelle,” from the German for “source.” This list has never been found, but it is logically necessary for at least one current theory (the two-source theory, see Introduction to Luke) related to modern understanding of the relationship between the Synoptic Gospels.

Luk 12:42 Notice how the steward is characterized:

1. the faithful

2. sensible

3. in charge of the other servants

These seem to be referring to either the Twelve or later church leaders. It must be emphatically stated that every believer is a called, gifted minister, so Jesus’ words may refer to alert and diligent believers who live every day in light of the Second Coming!

Luk 12:43 This is the repeated emphasis from Luk 12:35-38.

“blessed” This is the term used in the Beatitudes (makarios, cf. Luk 6:20-22; Mat 5:3-11). Jesus regularly used it to pronounce a type of person blessed, privileged, or happy (cf. Luk 1:45; Luk 6:20-22; Luk 7:23; Luk 10:23; Luk 11:27-28; Luk 12:37-38; Luk 12:43; Luk 14:14-15; Luk 23:29).

Luk 12:44 “Truly” This is the term alths used in the sense of the Hebrew “amen.” See SPECIAL TOPIC: AMEN at Luk 4:24. Luke was writing to Gentiles who would not have understood the Hebrew term.

Luk 12:45 “if” This is a third class conditional sentence, which means potential action.

Luk 12:46 “and will cut him in pieces” This was an OT form of capital punishment (cf. LXX of 2Sa 12:31; 1Ch 20:3). It is used literally in the LXX of Exo 29:17; Eze 24:4. Here it is used figuratively to intensify the eschatological judgment even on those who claim to know and serve Jesus! This term appears in the NT only here and in Matt. 24:57. Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary of the Greek Testament, p. 165, provide an inscription which also uses the term figuratively.

Luk 12:47-48 This seems to assert degrees of punishment. Luk 12:47 implies that humans are punished in accordance with the best light they have (cf. Jas 4:17). Luk 12:48 implies that everyone has some light and has not lived up to it (cf. Rom 1:19-20; Rom 2:14). For other passages on the seeming degrees of punishment see Luk 10:12-15; Luk 11:31-32; Mat 18:6-7. See SPECIAL TOPIC: DEGREES OF REWARDS AND PUNISHMENT s at Luk 10:12

Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley

Lord. Note, not “Jesus”. App-98. A.

to. Greek. pros. Same as “unto” in preceding clause.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

41.] . ., not the two last verses (Stier), but the whole:-Who are they that are thus to wait and watch, and to be thus honoured at the Lords coming? This question, coming in so suddenly and unconnectedly and remaining apparently unanswered, is among the many proofs of the originality and historic reality of this discourse (against De Wette, &c.).

Fuente: The Greek Testament

Luk 12:41. , us) the apostles, and disciples.-, even, also) we not being excluded. See Luk 12:22 [where His discourse is restricted to the disciples].-, all) viz. all then present. Comp. Luk 12:1; Luk 12:4; Luk 12:15; Luk 12:22; Luk 12:54.

Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament

Chapter 81

Gods Servants: The Faithful And The Evil

Poor Peter, it appears that he always had his foot in his mouth. But how many of us, like him, have heard a message, maybe a little biting, and thought to ourselves, if we did not openly ask, Was he talking to me? Peter just blurted it out. He said, Lord, were you talking to us or to everybody? The Lord Jesus seems to have just ignored the question; but he really didnt. He gave the same instruction again in more detail.

In these verses our Saviour again gives us a parable in which he describes two servants, one faithful, the other evil. Notice that both the faithful and the evil are the Lords servants. The fact is, all things serve the gracious purposes of God toward his elect (Pro 16:4; Pro 21:1; Psa 76:10). Satan is as much the servant of God, though unwillingly, as Gabriel is willingly. The fallen angels, the very demons of hell, are as fully the servants of God, though they despise him, as are the angels of heaven who adore him. Every human being is the servant of God, too.

Some of us rejoice in that fact. What a privilege is ours to serve the living God! Others despise the thought of Gods dominion; but they are nonetheless under Gods dominion and serve his purposes (Rom 8:28; Rom 11:36; Eph 1:11). Our God rules everywhere, everything, and everyone, totally and absolutely!

Even those evil men who are false prophets and messengers of Satan, deceiving the souls of men with their perverse doctrine, are the servants of our God, sovereignly used by him to accomplish his purpose (1Co 11:19). This parable is a word of instruction, inspiration, and warning to those men who stand in the house of God as his servants.

Gods Faithful Servants

In Luk 12:42-44 our Lord gives us a description of Gods faithful servants. Without question, the instruction of the parable may be applied to every believer in his particular calling in life. We who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ gladly bow to his dominion as our Lord. We are his servants. Our lives are spent in his service. Whatever your particular gifts are, whatever your station in life may be, that is the place of your calling and service in the kingdom of God where you are to use your gifts for the glory of Christ and the good of his people. Be Gods faithful servant where you are.

Those men who are gifted of God to be preachers and teachers in his church and are not called and gifted as pastors, are also his servants. They ought to be highly regarded as such. God gifts some local churches with more than one man, sometimes with many men who are clearly gifted of God as preachers and teachers of the Word, though only one is gifted and called to pastor the assembly. Those men are to be heard and treated with the respect that their gifts demand, as the servants of God. But in this passage our Lord is talking about that specific group of men who are trusted of God with the care of his household as pastors of local churches (Luk 12:42). What a great trust (2Co 4:7; Eph 3:7-8).

You may never be a pastor; but you will, as long as you are in this world, need the services of a faithful pastor. You will be wise to know what to expect from Gods servant, how to pray for him, and how best to assist him in the work God has trusted to his hands. And you need to know how to recognize and distinguish between a faithful and an evil servant. You will be wise to ask God the Holy Spirit to teach you the things here taught by the Son of God.

In these verses our Lord Jesus Christ describes his faithful servant, a faithful gospel preacher, a faithful pastor by four things in which he is distinguished from a self-serving false prophet. These four things describe and are characteristic of Gods true servants in every age of the church and in every place where gospel churches are found.

His Position

Gods servant is here described as one whom his lord hath made ruler over his household.

The church of God is his household, the household of faith, and the household of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is Gods family and Gods church, not mine, not yours, not this or that denominations, but the Lords! It is Gods house and Gods temple (1Co 3:16-17; Eph 3:15; 1Ti 3:15).

In the family of God there are some fathers, some young men, and some children. There are some who are strong and some who are weak. There are some who are very independent and need little attention, and some who need a good bit of attention. Each one has been placed in his house and family exactly according to the Masters will.

God ordained pastors have been placed by him as rulers over his household. They are not tyrants, dictators, or lords over Gods household, but rulers placed over the house to govern it as stewards under Christ (Act 20:28; 1Ti 3:4-5; Heb 13:7; Heb 13:17).

Most preachers these days are Junebug preachers. The church, the deacon board, the board of elders, or the denomination has a string tied to his leg and controls everything he does, like a little boy ties a string around a Junebugs leg. Not Gods servants. Gods servants serve his people; but they are not controlled by them.

Where in the word of God can you find a prophet, or a preacher who was ruled, governed, or even influenced by the will of the people to whom he was sent to preach? The only preacher like that you can find in the Book of God is a hireling prophet. Gods servants are responsible under God to rule his house by his Word, according to his revealed will (2Ti 3:16).

A faithful steward rules his Masters house exactly according to his Masters will. As he does, all in the house are expected to honour and obey the steward in charge of the house. And that household is most honourable and most happy that is well-governed, with each member of the family knowing his place, working together with every other member in love for the welfare of the whole family.

His Work

The pastors work is to give them their portion of meat in due season.

How I wish I could make this generation understand that it is the work, the calling, and the responsibility of gospel preachers to feed the church of God with knowledge and understanding, with gospel truth (Jer 3:15; Act 20:28). It is not the pastors work to be a good socialiser, an analyst, a therapist, a counsellor, a priest, or a community door knocker. Gods servants are preachers! They feed the house of God by preaching the gospel, by opening the bread of life and dispensing it to the family. If a pastor does that, he has to spend his time in his study, not running the roads and chasing ambulances (2Ti 2:15).

It is the work of the pastor to give, not to take (Eze 34:7-8). That which is to be given is meat. It is not our business to enact laws, but to give meat. It is not our business to regulate the lives of men, but to feed their souls. And that with which Gods servants feed his children is the sweet meat of the gospel, not the husks of intellectualism, the mists of mysticism, the stones of useless doctrinal speculation, or the poison of heresy. Gods servants come with the meat of saving grace in the knowledge of Christ, declaring ruin by the fall, redemption by the blood, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit!

We are to feed the saints of God with meat in due season. The Word of God must be rightly divided; and each member of the family must be fed with the meat that is suitable for him at the time: grace for the guilty, pardon for the fallen, redemption for the ruined, righteousness for the wicked, cleansing for the defiled, reproof for the wayward, comfort for the troubled, strength for the weak, Christ for all!

His Character

Our Lord describes his servants as men with these two traits of character: faithful and wise.

Gods servants are faithful men (1Co 4:2). They are stewards of the mysteries of God, of the manifold grace of God, and of the unsearchable riches of Christ (1Co 4:1; 1Pe 4:10; Eph 3:8). John Gill wrote

They are faithful to the trust reposed in them. They preach the pure gospel of Christ, and the whole of it; conceal no part, nor keep anything of it; seek not to please men, but God; neither seek their own things, their ease, honour, and profit, but the glory of God, the honour of Christ, and the good of souls; and abide by the truths, cause, and interest of the Redeemer at all costs.

A faithful minister of Jesus Christ is one that sincerely seeks his Masters honour, not his own. He preaches Christ crucified in all the counsel of God, not his own thoughts and whims. He follows Christs doctrine and adheres to his ordinances exactly as the Master gave them. And he exercises the work of the ministry, caring for the souls of men, without respect of persons.

As they are faithful, Gods servants are wise. They are neither faithful nor wise by nature; but God makes them faithful and wise by grace and by his gifts upon them, making them fit and able ministers of the gospel. They are well-instructed in the things of God, given a clear understanding in the doctrine of the gospel, and wisely exercise their talents and gifts for the glory of God.

They constantly seek to improve their knowledge and understanding of the scriptures, making the best use of their time in prayer and study, labouring in the word and doctrine of Christ. They arrange and manage the affairs of their lives to best serve Christ and his people. God graciously gives his servants wisdom to guide and direct his people and to care for them, as a father guides and cares for his family.

The faithful and wise pastor is a man who is doing what God called him to do. Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing (Luk 12:43). Gods servant always has something to do. And he is always found doing what he has been sent and called of God to do. He is not found dreaming, or loitering, or talking, but doing his Masters will and work, feeding his sheep. Gods servant is constant in his labour and perseveres in the work God has put into his hands. Someone once asked John Calvin, What do you want the Lord to find when he comes? Calvin answered, I want him to find me not idle when he comes?

His Reward

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath (Luk 12:43-44).

The scriptures nowhere teach, or even imply that there shall be degrees of reward in heaven. That is contrary to everything taught in the gospel (Rom 8:17). Certainly, our Lord does not exalt one servant in his kingdom above another. But God does reward faithfulness, both in this world and in the world to come. Those who are faithful over a few things shall be made Lord over many things (Luk 19:17). Frequently, God honours faithful service by giving greater service to perform. Gods servants shall find immensely great reward in seeing those for whom they have laboured around the throne of Christ in glory (1Th 2:19). And Gods faithful and wise servants shall themselves inherit all things with Christ in glory (Joh 17:5; Joh 17:22). He will make him lord over all that he hath.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion (Isa 52:7-8).

I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence. And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isa 62:6-7).

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake. And be at peace among yourselves (1Th 5:12-13).

Gods Evil Servants

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lords will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more (Luk 12:45-48).

Here our Lord Jesus describes those men who are evil servants in the house of God. Here again, our Lord gives us four things which are descriptive of that man who is a false prophet, an evil servant in the house of God. I will not say much about him. But you will see immediately what such a man is.

His Character

Unbelief (Luk 12:45) My lord delayeth his coming.

His Conduct

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken (Luk 12:45). In other words, he is legalistic, judgmental, and self-serving.

His Astonishment

The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers (Luk 12:46).

His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter (Isa 56:10-11).

His Doom (Luk 12:46-48)

In every age, both the faithful and the evil are sovereignly controlled, ruled, overruled, and absolutely under the dominion of our great God. Used by him to accomplish all his will in all the earth. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law

Fuente: Discovering Christ In Selected Books of the Bible

Lord: Mar 13:37, Mar 14:37, 1Pe 4:7, 1Pe 5:8

Reciprocal: Mat 13:3 – in Mat 24:45 – is

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1

Much of the teaching of Jesus was to the apostles only, hence Peter asked for the application of the parable.

Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary

WE learn from these verses, the importance of doing, in our Christianity. Our Lord is speaking of His own second coming. He is comparing His disciples to servants waiting for their master’s return, who have each their own work to do during His absence. “Blessed,” He says, “is that servant, whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing.”

The warning has doubtless a primary reference to ministers of the Gospel. They are the stewards of God’s mysteries, who are specially bound to be found “doing,” when Christ comes again. But the words contain a further lesson, which all Christians would do well to consider. That lesson is, the immense importance of a working, practical, diligent, useful religion.

The lesson is one which is greatly needed in the churches of Christ. We hear a great deal about people’s intentions, and hopes, and wishes, and feelings, and professions. It would be well if we could hear more about people’s practice. It is not the servant who is found wishing and professing, but the servant who is found “doing” whom Jesus calls “blessed.”

The lesson is one which many, unhappily, shrink from giving, and many more shrink from receiving. We are gravely told that to talk of “working,” and “doing,” is legalistic, and brings Christians into bondage! Remarks of this kind should never move us. They savor of ignorance or perverseness. The lesson before us is not about justification, but about sanctification,-not about faith, but about holiness. The point is not what a man should do to be saved,-but what ought a saved man to do? The teaching of Scripture is clear and express upon this subject. A saved man ought to be “careful to maintain good works.” (Tit 3:8.) The desire of a true Christian ought to be, to be found “doing.”

If we love life, let us resolve by God’s help, to be “doing” Christians. This is to be like Christ,-He “went about doing good.” (Act 10:38.) This is to be like the apostles,-they were men of deeds even more than of words. This is to glorify God,-“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” (Joh 15:8.) This is to be useful to the world,-“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mat 5:16.)

We learn, secondly, from these verses, the awful danger of those who neglect the duties of their calling. Of such our Lord declares, that they shall be “cut in sunder, and their portion appointed with the unbelievers.” These words no doubt apply especially to the ministers and teachers of the Gospel. Yet we must not flatter ourselves that they are confined to them. They are probably meant to convey a lesson to all who fill offices of high responsibility. It is a striking fact that when Peter says at the beginning of the passage, “Speakest thou this parable to us, or even to all?” our Lord gives him no answer. Whoever occupies a position of trust, and neglects his duties, would do well to ponder this passage, and learn wisdom.

The language which our Lord Jesus uses about slothful and unfaithful servants, is peculiarly severe. Few places in the Gospels contain such strong expressions as this. It is a vain delusion to suppose that the Gospel speaks nothing but “smooth things.” The same loving Savior who holds out mercy to the uttermost to the penitent and believing, never shrinks from holding up the judgments of God against those who despise His counsel. Let no man deceive us on this subject. There is a hell for such an one as goeth on still in his wickedness, no less than a heaven for the believer in Jesus. There is such a thing as “the wrath of the Lamb.” (Rev 6:16.)

Let us strive so to live, that whenever the heavenly Master comes, we may be found ready to receive Him. Let us watch our hearts with a godly jealousy, and beware of the least symptom of unreadiness for the Lord’s appearing. Specially let us beware of any rising disposition to lower our standard of Christian holiness,-to dislike persons who are more spiritually-minded than ourselves, and to conform to the world. The moment we detect such a disposition in our hearts, we may be sure that our souls are in great peril. The Christian professor who begins to persecute God’s people, and to take pleasure in worldly society, is on the high road to ruin.

We learn, lastly, from these verses, that the greater a man’s religious light is, the greater is his guilt if he is not converted. The servant which “knew his lord’s will, but did it not, shall be beaten with many stripes.” “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”

The lesson of these words is one of wide application. It demands the attention of many classes. It should come home to the conscience of every British Christian. His judgment shall be far more strict than that of the heathen who never saw the Bible. It should come home to every Protestant who has the liberty to read the Scriptures. His responsibility is far greater than that of the priest-ridden Romanist, who is debarred from the use of God’s word. It should come home to every hearer of the Gospel. If he remains unconverted he is far more guilty than the inhabitant of some dark parish, who never hears any teaching but a sort of semi-heathen morality.-It should come home to every child and servant in religious families. All such are far more blameworthy, in God’s sight, than those who live in houses where there is no honor paid to the word of God and prayer. Let these things never be forgotten. Our judgment at the last day will be according to our light and opportunities.

What are we doing ourselves with our religious knowledge? Are we using it wisely, and turning it to good account? Or are we content with the barren saying, “We know it,-we know it,” and secretly flattering ourselves that the knowledge of our Lord’s will makes us better than others, while that will is not done? Let us beware of mistakes. The day will come, when knowledge unimproved will be found the most perilous of possessions. Thousands will awake to find that they are in a lower place than the most ignorant and idolatrous heathen. Their knowledge not used, and their light not followed, will only add to their condemnation.

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Notes-

v42.-[And the Lord said.] Let it be noted that our Lord Jesus Christ did not give any direct reply to the question which Peter asked. Major remarks, “The meaning of our Saviour’s reply appears to be this: The precepts that I have given apply to every individual, but with greater force to you who are in the situation of stewards, to whom much has been entrusted, and from whom consequently much will be required.”

The whole passage, down to the 48th verse, appears to be parabolic and figurative; and we must be careful not to strain any particular expression in it, further than is warranted by the general scope of the context.

[Steward.] This word, it should be noted, is specially used by Paul as descriptive of the ministerial office. (1Co 4:1.) It would seem to show that ministers are primarily pointed at in our Lord’s teaching in this parable.

v44.-[Make him ruler over all that he hath.] This expression should be compared with similar expressions in the parables of the talents and of the pounds.

v45.-[Beat the menservants, &c.] Stella, though a Roman Catholic Commentator, remarks how closely this verse describes the conduct of Cardinals and Bishops at Rome in the beginning of the 17th century.

v46.-[Will cut him in sunder.] It admits of some doubt whether the Greek word so translated will bear so strong a sense as our translators have put upon it. It is only found in this passage, and a similar passage in Mat 24:51.

Parkhurst thinks that it means, “shall scourge with the utmost severity.” Others think that it means, “shall separate, or remove, from his office;-shall dismiss.” It certainly is worthy of note, that after using this expression, our Lord speaks of the unfaithful servant as yet alive: “He shall appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.”

[With the unbelievers.] Some think that this expression means simply “with the unfaithful servants,” in contradistinction to the “faithful servants,” described in the 42nd verse. Comparison with Mat 25:21, favours this idea.

v48.-[Knew not…commit things worthy of stripes.] Watson thinks that the ignorance here must be “taken comparatively, and not absolutely.” Few expressions in the Bible are more unfavourable to the heathen who die in ignorance of the Gospel than this. It is vain to conceal from ourselves the solemn truth, that no degree of ignorance makes a man entirely guiltless and excusable in the sight of God. Our very ignorance is part of our sin.

[Unto whomsoever much is given, &c.] In this sentence our Lord lays down a great principle in His kingdom, as an appropriate conclusion to the parable he has just been speaking.

Baxter remarks on this verse, “Great gifts are to be used with great diligence; and great trusts, and powers, and charges, are rather to be feared than sought. Little do the conquerors of the world, or those that strive for church preferments, believe and consider what duty, or what deep damnation, they labour for.”

Fuente: Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels

Luk 12:41. This parable. Of the watchful servants.

To us, or even to all? The question was probably put in a wrong spirit, with reference to the high reward promised, rather than to the duty enjoined. The early date renders this the more likely. The language is so characteristic of Peter as to furnish striking evidence of the accuracy of Luke.

Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament

These words may be applied these two ways: First, to all the faithful servants of God in general; and then the note is this, that for a Christian to spend and end his days in the service of Christ, and doing his will, gives good assurance of a happy and blessed condition: Blessed is that servant.

Secondly, these words may be applied to the ministers of the gospel in special; and then observe,

1. The character and duty of a gospel minister; he is the steward of Christ’s household, to give them their meat in due season.

2. A double qualification requisite in such stewards: namely, prudence and faithfulness. Who then is that faithful and wise steward?

Observe, 3. The reward insured to such stewards, with whom are found these qualifications: Blessed is that servant.

Learn hence,

1. That the ministers of the gospel are in a spiritual sense stewards of Christ’s household.

2. That faithfulness and prudence are the indispensable qualifications of Christ’s stewards.

3. That where these qualifications are found, Christ will graciously and abundantly reward them. Our faithfulness must respect God, ourselves, and our flock; and includes integrity of heart, purity of intention, industry of endeavor, and impartiality in all our administrations. Our prudence must appear in the choice of suitable subjects, in the choice of fit language, in exciting our own affections in order to the moving of our people’s. Ministerial prudence also must teach us, by the strictness and gravity of our deportment, to maintain our authority, and to keep up our esteem in the consciences of our people: it will also assist us to bear reproach, and direct us to give reproof: he that is silent cannot be innocent: reprove we must, or we cannot be faithful; but prudently, or we cannot be successful.

Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament

Luk 12:41-44. Then Peter said, Lord, speakest thou this parable to us Who are thy constant followers, to us who are ministers; or even to all That come to be taught by thee, to all the hearers, and, in them, to all Christians? Peter, it appears, had been giving close attention to the whole of Christs discourse, and saw it to be very important; out was at a loss to know whether the latter part of it, namely, the parable of the watching servants, was spoken to the multitude in general, and therefore to all that should hereafter become Christs followers, or to the apostles in particular. He therefore begged his master to satisfy him as to that point. He knew indeed that the parable was addressed to all the disciples, but it contained instructions which Peter thought might be peculiarly designed for the twelve. And the Lord said, Who, &c. Our Lord, in his answer to Peters inquiry, shows that, though his exhortations were directed to all, they more especially concerned those who were, or hereafter should be, intrusted with the care of the souls of others, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, &c. The sense of the word is, What do you think ought to be the character and conduct of a steward to whom his lord commits the care of his family in his absence, as I do the care of my church to you? Why, certainly, he should be both wise, to know in what manner to govern the family, and faithful in executing whatever his wisdom and prudence direct as fit to be done; for thus only all the members of the family under his care will have due provision made for them. Blessed, , happy, is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing To complete the character of such a steward, he must never remit his care and diligence, that so, at whatever time his Lord returns, he may find him employed in the prudent and faithful discharge of the duties of his office. If this be the case, such a servant shall be happy, not only in the consciousness of doing his duty well, but in the rewards and honours which his lord will bestow upon him. Here we see the unspeakable importance of a patient continuance in well-doing. The servant spoken of is supposed to be now wise, faithful, and happy; yet our Lords words imply that he might become the reverse of all this, and perish for ever. I say unto you, That he will make him ruler, &c. He will commit the management of his whole estate to him; a trust which such a servant merits by the prudence, faithfulness, and diligence which he showed as steward of the household.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

4 th. To the Apostles: Luk 12:41-53.

Up till now, Jesus had been speaking to all believers; from this point, on occasion of a question put by Peter, He addresses the apostles in particular, and reminds them of the special responsibility which attaches to them in the prospect of their Master’s return (Luk 12:41-48); then He gives vent to the emotions which fill His heart in view of the moral revolution which He is about to work on the earth (Luk 12:49-53).

Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)

The importance of faithfulness 12:41-48

Faithfulness is important for disciples in view of the Lord’s return as well as readiness.

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)

Peter’s question 12:41

Peter asked a clarifying question. He wanted to know if Jesus was aiming His warnings to be ready at the disciples alone or at the disciples and the crowd that was present and listening (Luk 12:1).

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)