Matthew 24:45
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Original Language Analysis
Τίς
Who
G5101
Τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
1 of 24
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοῦλος
servant
G1401
δοῦλος
servant
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
6 of 24
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φρόνιμος
wise
G5429
φρόνιμος
wise
Strong's:
G5429
Word #:
8 of 24
thoughtful, i.e., sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while g4680 denotes practical skill or acumen; and g4908 indicates rather inte
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
κατέστησεν
hath made ruler
G2525
κατέστησεν
hath made ruler
Strong's:
G2525
Word #:
10 of 24
to place down (permanently), i.e., (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convoy
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
lord
G2962
κύριος
lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
12 of 24
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
αὐτοῖς
his
G846
αὐτοῖς
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐπὶ
over
G1909
ἐπὶ
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεραπείας
household
G2322
θεραπείας
household
Strong's:
G2322
Word #:
16 of 24
attendance (specially, medical, i.e., cure); figuratively and collectively, domestics
αὐτοῖς
his
G846
αὐτοῖς
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διδόναι
to give
G1325
διδόναι
to give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
19 of 24
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτοῖς
his
G846
αὐτοῖς
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 25:21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.Matthew 25:23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.Hebrews 3:5And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;2 Timothy 2:2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.1 Timothy 1:12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;Revelation 2:13I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.Matthew 10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.Matthew 13:52Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.Luke 19:17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
Historical Context
Large Roman and Jewish households employed estate managers (oikonomos) who controlled food distribution, finances, and staff. The master's absence tested stewardship—would servants work faithfully or exploit their position? Jesus uses this familiar dynamic to illustrate kingdom stewardship. Paul later uses identical imagery (1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Titus 1:7) for apostolic ministry.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of life has God made you a 'steward'—responsibilities you'll give account for at Christ's return?
- How do you balance faithfulness (consistency, obedience) with wisdom (discernment, adaptation) in your service?
- What 'food in due season' are those under your spiritual care or influence currently needing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Who then is a faithful and wise servant—Jesus shifts from warning to exhortation, using pistos (πιστός = faithful/trustworthy) and phronimos (φρόνιμος = wise/prudent), two essential stewardship qualities. The rhetorical question expects self-examination: 'Are you this servant?' Whom his lord hath made ruler over his household (oiketeia, οἰκετεία = household staff), entrusted with authority and responsibility.
To give them meat in due season (trophē, τροφή = nourishment; en kairō, ἐν καιρῷ = in proper time)—the steward's job is feeding the master's household at the right times with the right food. This pictures pastoral ministry (1 Peter 5:2), but applies to all Christian stewardship—using gifts, time, resources faithfully until the Master returns. Faithfulness means consistent service; wisdom means discerning what's needed when.