Luk 12:42-48 | RWP | e4.org | Who then ( τις αρα ). Jesus introduces this parable of the wise steward ( ) by a rhetorical question that answers itself. Peter is this wise steward, each of the Twelve is, anyone is who acts thus. The faithful and wise steward ( ο πιστος οικονομος ο φρονιμος ). The faithful steward, the wise one. A steward is house manager ( οικοσ, νεμω , to manage). Each man is a steward in his own responsibilities. Household ( θεραπειας ). Literally, service from θεραπευω . medical service as in , by metonymy household (a body of those domestics who serve). Their portion of food ( το σιτομετριον ). Late word from σιτομετρεω ( ) for the Attic τον σιτον μετρεω , to measure the food, the rations. Here only in the N.T. or anywhere else till Deissmann ( Bible Studies , p. 158) found it in an Egyptian papyrus and then an inscription in Lycia ( Light from the Ancient East , p. 104).

‏ Luke 12:42-48

Who then ( τις αρα ). Jesus introduces this parable of the wise steward (42-48) by a rhetorical question that answers itself. Peter is this wise steward, each of the Twelve is, anyone is who acts thus.

The faithful and wise steward ( ο πιστος οικονομος ο φρονιμος ). The faithful steward, the wise one. A steward is house manager ( οικοσ, νεμω, to manage). Each man is a steward in his own responsibilities.

Household ( θεραπειας ). Literally, service from θεραπευω. medical service as in Lu 9:11, by metonymy household (a body of those domestics who serve).

Their portion of food ( το σιτομετριον ). Late word from σιτομετρεω (Ge 47:12) for the Attic τον σιτον μετρεω, to measure the food, the rations. Here only in the N.T. or anywhere else till Deissmann (Bible Studies, p. 158) found it in an Egyptian papyrus and then an inscription in Lycia (Light from the Ancient East, p. 104).

Over all ( επ πασιν ). See Mt 24-47 for επ with locative in this sense. Usually with genitive as in verse 42 and sometimes with accusative as in verse 14.

Shall say ( ειπη ). Second aorist subjunctive, with εαν, condition of the third class, undetermined, but with prospect of being determined.

Delayeth ( χρονιζε ). From χρονος, time, spends time, lingers.

Shall begin ( αρξητα ). First aorist middle subjunctive with εαν and the same condition as ειπη, above.

The menservants ( τους παιδας )

and the maidservants ( κα τας παιδισκας ). Παιδισκη is a diminutive of παις for a young female slave and occurs in the papyri, orginally just a damsel. Here παις can mean slave also though strictly just a boy.

Shall cut him asunder ( διχοτομησε ). An old and somewhat rare word from διχοτομος and that from διχα and τεμνω, to cut, to cut in two. Used literally here. In the N.T. only here and Mt 24:51.

With the unfaithful ( μετα των απιστων ). Not here "the unbelieving" though that is a common meaning of απιστος ( α privative and πιστος, from πειθω ), but the unreliable, the untrustworthy. Here Mt 24:51 has "with the hypocrites," the same point. The parallel with Mt 24:43-51 ends here. Mt 24:51 adds the saying about the wailing and the gnashing of teeth. Clearly there Luke places the parable of the wise steward in this context while Matthew has it in the great eschatological discourse. Once again we must either think that Jesus repeated the parable or that one of the writers has misplaced it. Luke alone preserves what he gives in verses 47, 48.

Which knew ( ο γνους ). Articular participle (second aorist active, punctiliar and timeless). The one who knows. So as to μη ετοιμασας η ποιησας (does not make ready or do).

Shall be beaten with many stripes ( δαρησετα πολλας ). Second future passive of δερω, to skin, to beat, to flay (see on Mt 21:35; Mr 12:3, 5). The passive voice retains here the accusative πολλας (supply πληγας, present in Lu 10:30). The same explanation applies to ολιγας in verse 48.

To whomsoever much is given ( παντ δε ω εδοθη πολυ ). Here is inverse attraction from ο to παντ (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 767f.). Note παρ' αυτου (from him) without any regard to παντ.

They commit ( παρεθεντο ). Second aorist middle indicative, timeless or gnomic aorist. Note the impersonal plural after the passive voice just before.