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Luke 12:42

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 12:42 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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?
Luke 12:42 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
39But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not have left his house to be broken through.
40Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
41And Peter said, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even unto all?
42And 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?
43Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
44Of a truth I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath.
45But 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 12:41Luke 12:43 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the Lord said, who then is that faithful and wise steward, etc.] Christ does not directly, and in express words, answer to Peter's question, but suggests, that though he intended it as a caution to all his people, and in it spoke to them all to be upon their watch and guard, (<411337>Mark 13:37) yet that he had a special regard to them, his apostles, and succeeding ministers of the Gospel, whose characters, office, work, dignity, and honour, are here described. Such are stewards in Christ's family, they are entrusted with the stores and provisions of his house, and “faithfulness” and “wisdom” are requisite in them; the one, that they do not corrupt and adulterate the word of God, and mix…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who then, &c.--answering the question indirectly by another question, from which they were left to gather what it would be:--To you certainly in the first instance, representing the "stewards" of the "household" I am about to collect, but generally to all "servants" in My house. faithful and wise--Fidelity is the first requisite in a servant, wisdom (discretion and judgment in the exercise of his functions), the next. steward--house steward, whose it was to distribute to the servants their allotted portion of food. shall make--will deem fit to be made.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the notes at Matthew 24:42-51. Second watch - See the notes at Matthew 14:25. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who is that faithful and wise steward - Our Lord's answer manifestly implies, that he had spoken this parable primarily (though not wholly) to the ministers of his word: Whom his lord shall make ruler over his household - For his wisdom and faithfulness. Luke 12:43”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:42 The faithful, sensible servant was a household manager. Wealthy homeowners appointed gifted and educated slaves as chief executive officers over their affairs.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Who: Luk 19:15-19; Mat 24:45, Mat 24:46, Mat 25:20-23; Co1 4:1, Co1 4:2; Tit 1:7 steward: Luk 16:1-12; Mat 20:8; Pe1 4:10 ruler: Ti1 3:15, Ti1 5:17; Heb 3:5, Heb 13:7, Heb 13:17 to give: Jer 23:4; Eze 34:3; Mat 13:52; Joh 21:15-17; Act 20:28; Pe1 5:1-4 in due: Pro 15:23; Isa 50:4; Ti2 4:2 Luke 12:43”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification