Courageous witness
Luke 12:1–12FocusHypocrisy and fear
Connection to the wholeJesus warns the disciples about hypocrisy and fear of people, directing their confidence toward God's knowledge and care.
interpretation Luke 12:42
KJVAnd 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?
Read it in context
Ready and faithful servants
Start reading at Luke 12:35 (Luke 12:35 to Luke 12:48).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Jesus connects watchfulness with faithful service, stressing that greater knowledge and responsibility bring greater accountability.
- 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
- 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
- 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
- 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
- 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
- 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
- 12:41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
- 12:42 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?
- 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
- 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
- 12:45 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;
- 12:46 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 sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
- 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
- 12:48 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 12:1–12:59): Jesus speaks first to His disciples amid a large crowd, answers a man's request concerning inheritance, and continues teaching about readiness and responsibility. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Ready and faithful servants. Read Luke 12:35 through Luke 12:48 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Jesus connects watchfulness with faithful service, stressing that greater knowledge and responsibility bring greater accountability. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Ready and faithful servants (Luke 12:35 to Luke 12:48). Start reading at Luke 12:35. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 12:35, Luke 12:48, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- Who Luke 19:15-19 Matt 24:45-46 Matt 25:20-23 1 Cor 4:1-2 Titus 1:7
- steward Luke 16:1-12 Matt 20:8 1 Pet 4:10
- ruler 1 Tim 3:15 1 Tim 5:17 Heb 3:5 Heb 13:7,17
- to give Jer 23:4 Ezek 34:3 Matt 13:52 John 21:15-17 Acts 20:28 1 Pet 5:1-4
- in due Prov 15:23 Isa 50:4 2 Tim 4:2
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 12
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
Possessions and anxiety
Luke 12:13–34FocusRich toward God
Connection to the wholeThe inheritance dispute and rich fool lead into teaching on trust, the kingdom, and treasure that reveals the heart's allegiance.
interpretation FocusAccountability for entrusted responsibility
Connection to the wholeJesus connects watchfulness with faithful service, stressing that greater knowledge and responsibility bring greater accountability.
interpretation Recognizing the time
Luke 12:49–59FocusDivision and urgent response
Connection to the wholeThe closing warnings call hearers to discern the present situation and settle matters urgently rather than assuming delay is harmless.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation The ministry prepared
Luke 3:1–4:13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation Ministry and discipleship
Luke 4:14–9:50FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation Jerusalem and the temple
Luke 19:28–21:38FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation Passion, resurrection, and commission
Luke 22:1–24:53FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.