What the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" Is Not [Opposers Dismythed]

Updates listed at the bottom of the post. Last updated Mar 8 at 2:25 PM. FINAL EDIT with conclusion.

Author's Note: This post focusses on the actual context of the words and related symbolism, not on incidental peripheral concepts unimportant to its interpretation.

Many of their opposers have criticized Jehovah's Witnesses on "the faithful and discreet slave." But let us examine the merits of our critics arguments on the verses in question. The method of discovery used here is proof by exhaustion, a tried and true method.

But first, let us review the Scriptures and the stand of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Source: “The Faithful and Discreet Slave”

Jesus himself related the prophecy, saying:

"Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants [or "domestics"] to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time? Happy is that slave if his master on coming finds him doing so! I tell you truthfully, he will appoint him over all his belongings. But if ever that wicked [or "evil"] slave should say in his heart, 'My master delays coming,' and starts to beat the male and female servants and to eat and drink and get drunk" "with the confirmed drunkards," "the master of that slave will come on a day that he is not expecting him and at an hour that he does not know, and he will punish him with the greatest severity and assign him a part with the unfaithful ones [or "hypocrites"]." "There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be."—Matthew 24:45-51 and Luke 12:41-46.

Is: a Group Parsing Spiritual Food Supplies to True Christians

We must first review what the "faithful and discreet slave" is and then we will discuss what it is not so you may compare it. The following is a brief review of information published by Jehovah's Witnesses for a touchstone.

Why did Jesus call them "faithful and discreet" and a "steward"?

Read: Luke 12:48; 16:10; Heb 13:17.

A steward^* is the assigned manager of a household, object(s) or city. They are discreet^** by carefully and prayerfully thinking through every decision. They are faithful^*** in unwaveringly performing their appointed task to feed the flock in their care in a timely way, even in the face of opposition and death.—John 21:15.

* "steward" Gk. "oikonomos" (οἰκονόμος), from "oíkos" (οἶκος), meaning "house", and nemō (νεμω), meaning "apportion"; administrate. Variants: Lu 16:1-4, 8; 1Co 4:1, 2; 1Co 9:17; Gal 4:2; Colossians 1:25; Eph 1:10; Eph 3:2, 9; Tit 1:7; 1Pe 4:7, 10, 11.—Ge 39:4; Ro 16:23.

** "discreet" Gk. "phronimos", (φρόνιμος), from "phrén" (φρήν), meaning the midriff, from where we get "diaphragm" ("From the midriff"); thinking deep down. Antonym: foolishness (Gk., "móros" μωρός; dull senses, unthinking).—Pr 22:3; Mt 7:24-27; Mt 25:2-4.

*** "faithful" Gk. "pistos" (πιστὸς), "persuaded', from peíthō (πείθω), meaning "persuade" as of what is trustworthy, and is related to "believe" (Gk. pisteuó, πιστεύω) and "faith" (Gk. pistis, πίστις). Antonym: hypocrisy (Gk. "hypokrisis" [ὑπόκρισις]; playacting; saying, but not doing).—Lu 16:9-12; Ac 16:15; 1Th 1:3; Re 2;10.

How many make up the "steward"?

Read: Matthew 23:9, 10; 18:1, 18-20; Acts 15:2, 6, 22, 28; 21:25.

Christ alone is our only leader. The steward is called both righteous and evil, based on their identifying actions, indicating more than one person. Thus it is to a governing body Jesus gave authority in the first century to take the lead among his people. (Heb 13:7; compare Acts 15:2) We will consider more evidence in the oppositional viewpoints.

What was the first appointment?

Read: Matthew 24:3, 4, 45; Luke 12:47, 48; 1 Timothy 3:2-7; 5:22.

The account does not indicate a moment of appointment. But to make an appointment in the congregation requires the appointee having fulfilled certain qualifications and then being tested for fitness. (1Ti 3:1-10) Jesus said they should be: faithful, discreet and providing food supplies, continually waiting for the Master's eminent arrival (observing the fulfillment of prophecy) without relaxing, treating their fellow slaves with love and respect, and keep themselves from spiritual pollution.—Tit 2:13, 14; 1Pe 1:10-12; compare Mt 24:48, 49

What are the "domestics"?

Read: Genesis 39:5; Compare Matthew 24:45 to Luke 12:42.

As steward of Potiphar's household, Joseph was over, not just the attendants "in the house" (like the heavenly abode), but also those "in the field" (the earth). (Ge 39:5) The "domestics" therefore include those in the field, the earth, but they are not all people. These are the "body of attendants", that is, those who accomplish their assigned duties, namely preaching and disciple-making while upholding God's word. Thus the "body of attendants", or "domestics", are those actively obeying Christ on the earth.

What are the "food supplies"?

Read: Eze 3:16-21; Matthew 14:14-22; 15:29-39; John 4:10, 34; 1 Corinthians 10:3, 4; Hebrews 5:11-6:3.

To claim Jesus did not want us to fixate on the food supplies, or any other outstanding feature except what is convenient to one's own interpretation is to promote a lie. The Scriptures are clear about our need for spiritual food.

Spiritual food is the way of the Christ in: how to become a Christian, how to do God's will, and how to distinguish right from wrong according to Hebrews 5:11-6:3. This group was to "give ... food," symbolized by Jesus' miracle of feeding the people through the apostles. (Mt 14:14-22; 15:29-39) The groups of 50 and 100 men with their families resembles the spiritual feeding program in congregations in the 1st century and today. No one will be unable to avail themselves of this heavenly manna because it is not subject to food shortages. —Compare Exodus 16:4-36.

When is the "proper time"?

Read: Matthew 5:6; 1Peter 1:10-12; 2:1-3.

At Matthew 5:6, Jesus indicated one’s need to be fed spiritually when they are "hungering and thirsting for righteousness." These are counseled to rid themselves "of all badness and deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all backbiting" when asked to "form a longing for the unadulterated milk of the word." (1Pe 2:1, 2) 1Pe 1:10-12 says that to know “what particular time or what season the spirit within them was indicating,” those with the responsibility to warn the people must ‘keep on investigating’ those things.

What is the second appointment "over all his belongings"? 

Read: Revelation 4:4; 5:10.

The second appointment after the Master arrives, when Christ executes judgment, comes after the anointed are taken to be with Christ in heaven. (1Th 4:16) The holy ones receive the kingship after Armageddon, then the "faithful and discreet slave" will be "appointed over all his belongings" (the heavenly kingdom of priests, the cherubs, the angels and the remnant of faithful mankind).—Ps 45:3, 4, 13-17; Re 21:1, 2. May 2022 Watchtower, Study Edition, p. 17, par. 12; 1Co 6:3; Re 5:9, 10; 14:3.

"Who Really is ... ?"

Based on: 14:14-22; John 4:34; 21:15; Hebrews 5:14.

Explained in: "Feeding Many Through the Hands of a Few" and "Who Really Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?" in the July 15, 2013 Watchtower, pp. 15-25.

Previously: For a few years we understood the "steward" to be those anointed ones who actually plan and write the spiritual food. Though the understanding was not perfect, perfect knowledge is not necessary to the performance of the true steward’s duties according to Luke 12:48.

Now: The "faithful and discreet slave" are a body of men who provide food supplies for the slaves by distributing what they need at the proper time to stay awake spiritually in order to accomplish Jehovah's will. (Matthew 25:1-4; Luke 12:35-37) They do not need to be the authors any more than the apostles needed to be the preparers of the food they distributed on the two occasions.

This group was initially identified as the directors of the Watch Tower Society in 1920 in the April 1 Zion's Watchtower (pp. 99, 100), though initially accepting there could be others and rejecting this channel should not be disqualified by disfellowshipping (This was later rightfully corrected).

This group proved their fitness by maintaining the Lord's affairs while enduring the loss of the Society's founder, ousting would-be usurpers, and severe persecution, resulting in the imprisonment of the Society directors on false charges, at the direction of Christendom’s churches from 1916 to 1919. Still later this group identified themselves as the Governing Body of the organization and eventually divorced themselves from being identified as the Watchtower Society's directors even while the aforementioned previous understanding remained until it was finally correctly understood in 2013.

They are not apostles (who are such by virtue of being eyewitnesses from the beginning of Jesus' ministry to his resurrection; Acts 1:21, 22). However, rejecting this channel means rejecting Christ, just as when many rejected Christ's apostles, who were the initial governing body of the first century and later incorporated non-apostles. (See What was the first appointment? above.)—Acts 15:2; Heb 13:17.

Some details may be clarified in the future, but it seems certain that it being a small group taking the lead will remain unchanged from now on.

Jehovah's Witnesses are not alone in this view that the steward represents leadership in the body of Christ. In fact, at least a third of all commentaries recognize this. But only Jehovah's Witnesses specifically associate it with a governing body for the reasons related in this post.

Who is the "evil slave"?

Read: Mic 7:1-6; Zph 3:1-4; Mt 21:28-32; 24:48-51; Luke 12:45,46.

The "evil slave" is a hypothetical condition of those appointed to be the steward if they fail in their duties. They might claim to provide spiritual food but neither stay on the watch nor teach righteousness. They would be hypocrites not understanding the will of their master. They beat their fellow slaves with persecution and judgment. They feed on the flock in unseemly appetites with their fellow spiritual drunkards (Christendom). They would be “beaten with the greatest severity” during the Great Tribulation. They would have time to “weep and gnash their teeth” because they will be in fear of God's judgment (not in hellfire).—Mt 24:50, 51.

These interpretations may seem odd to some because they are not familiar with them, but by exhausting the other interpretations we will see that a small group of men taking the lead is the only effective explanation of the "faithful and discreet slave" which remains.

Not: Christ

Based on: Ge 39:4-6, 21-23; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Philippians 2:7; Revelation 1:5; 3:14; 19:11.

Christ's being called "faithful" in Revelation does not prove him to be the "faithful and discreet slave." It is just a qualification he fulfilled. In fact, Christ is never once called a "steward" or "discreet" (though he is such).

At Philippians 2:7, Jesus did not become a slave, but rather took the physical form used by slaves. But all anointed Christians are called "slaves of our God".—Re 7:3.

Though Joseph typifies Christ in other places, there is no prophetic parallel to Christ in his acting as Potiphar's steward and as overseer in the Prison.

Since Jesus is the Master (like Potiphar), not the slave, he is already to be obeyed by direct command, so puzzling over the steward (who directs others) would be superfluous.—Colossians 3:24; Joh 14:15, 21.

Not: Animal Owners

Based on: Genesis 1:28; Proverbs 12:10.

Indeed, proverbs 12:10 should come to mind, but not in the literal sense because Jesus was not being literal. He spoke in non-literal illustrations. Why? He answers:

"To [the true disciples] it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the Kingdom of the heavens, but to [the world] it is not granted. ... ‘You will indeed hear but by no means get the sense of it, and you will indeed look but by no means see. For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive. …’"—Mt 13:11-15; Isa 6:9, 10.

Besides, "domestics" is only used in Matthew, with no mention of animals. Luke refers to the same ones as a "body of attendants", very clearly referring to people, not animals.

Not: Distributors of Physical Food to the Needy

Based on: Matthew 25:37-40; Acts 6:3; Romans 12:20 (Quoted from Proverbs 25:21, 22); Jas 2:15, 16.

The apostles instructed the congregations to appoint a special committee to distribute physical food to a specific group of Christians in need during a famine, not all the time. They said: "It is not right for us to leave the word of God to distribute food to tables." (Acts 6:2, 3) So food distribution was not a duty of all Christians, nor distributed to all people and takes those in the lead away from their duty to study the word of God.

Now yes, they instructed the congregation to appoint men (not by Christ), and yes, they have "wisdom" ("sophias"), but there is no mention of being "faithful" or "discreet", though some translations mistranslate the Greek "phronimos"* as "wise" at Luke 12:45 in order to suggest this connection.

* See footnote "**" above.

Since Christ is to find the steward doing so when he arrives, then distributing food to the "body of attendants" is likely a continual practice. Though it could be argued that the famine will be happening when Jesus arrives. However, Jesus said, "Work, not for the food that perishes, but for the food that remains for everlasting life, which the Son of man will give you." (John 6:27) So, clearly, the food Christ wants us to be concerned with is spiritual, not physical.

Not: a Succession From Peter

Based on: Matthew 16:18, 19; John 21:15-17.

Note: See "Apostolic Succession" in Reasoning from the Scriptures for a full discussion.

Besides not proving an unbroken succession would happen, in the illustration at Matthew 16:17, 18, the Master in the steward riddle did not appoint anyone before he left. It simply says they are appointed for the purpose of feeding the domestic attendants.

The time of appointment is not given, except the riddle was said in connection to the end of the system of things, suggesting that it occurs before Christ's return. Succession is not indicated.

Not: a Single Person

Based on: Matthew 23:11.

Illustrative individuals often represent a group, like the bride of Christ representing the anointed congregation or the rich man representing the religious hypocrites.—2Co 11:2 (Compare Re 21:2); Lu 16:19-31 (Compare Mt 23:27, 28).

Additionally, Jesus said, "But you, do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your Teacher, and all of you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called leaders, for your Leader is one, the Christ."—Col 3:24; Mt 23:8-10.

But someone might say, "The next verse says 'the greatest one among you must be your minister.'" Yes, but after washing the feet of his apostles, he said, "If I, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also should wash the feet of one another."—Joh 13:13-14.

Jesus also said, "To sit down at my right hand and at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father." (Mt 20:23b) Therefore it is at least two or more people.

Not: Stewards of Each Other

Based on: Ps 1:1-3; Ro 12:5; 1Co 12:25, 26; 1Pe 4:10, 11.

The context in Romans also says, “We have in one body many members, but the members do not all have the same function. ... the one who distributes, let him do it liberally; the one who presides, let him do it diligently.” (Ro 12:4, 6, 8) Indeed, 1 Corinthians continues: “And God has assigned the respective ones in the congregation: first, apostles; ... Not all are apostles, are they?” (1Co 12:28, 29) So we are talking about differences in duties and position.

While Christians are obligated to minister to each other, ministering is not about providing physical or spiritual food (though it can include such); it is about helping, just as when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Ministering is about the volunteer spirit. But Jesus was speaking to a future member of the first century governing body when he said to him: “feed my little sheep.”—John 21:15-17.

This mention of “stewards” in 1 Peter 4:10 is colloquial, like one might say, “You are the steward of this book. Keep it safe.” That said, being “stewards” of each other would demonstrate a lack of organization, and God “is not a God of disorder, but of peace.” (1Co 14:33) Instead, Peter was saying we are all stewards, not of the congregation, its members or anything else belonging to Christ, but “of God's undeserved kindness.” That is, each of us are stewards of gifting (or stewards of his grace). So we become responsible for showing God’s undeserved kindness to others through our actions by volunteering. That is not spiritual food.

Peter does not explicitly refer to food. But in line with the letters to the Romans and the Corinthians, Peter states, “If anyone speaks, let him do so as speaking pronouncements from God; if anyone ministers, let him do so as depending on the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” (1Pe 4:11a) So, then, teaching, ministering (serving as needed) and displaying faith are what is meant. In doing so, we are all “stewards of his undeserved kindness.” No food mentioned.

However, one might point out Jesus’ words: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (Joh 4:34) Jesus, though, is the source of spiritual food and the domestics are provisioned with this food by “the faithful and discreet slave” who is not Jesus. (Lu 12:42; see Not: Christ above). So the food here is about instructing others in doing Jehovah’s will. This food is distributed broadly to all seeking it, and not simply related from one Christian to another, though no Christian should refrain from doing so.

Besides these things, women are not allowed to steward men. (1Ti 2:129 ) The direction to be “minister to one another as fine stewards” would therefore be limited to only being over the gift, not the person. This same problem persists if we claim that it is all the holy ones (anointed).

Are You a “Faithful and Discreet Slave”?

If you say, we are all the “faithful and discreet slave,” then in what way do you personally provide spiritual food to the attendants? Do you distribute food supplies? Do you preach publicly? Do you minister? Do you correct yourself? Or do you withhold the gift and beat your former associates? Or do you partake of the world's ways without shame? How have you fulfilled the requirements of the steward of Jesus’ illustration?

The illustration in question says accurate knowledge is not a prerequisite to being the slave. (Luke 12:48) So even if the illustration turned out to be about every Christian or holy one, then they will not be rejected as long as they did their job as Christians or anointed ones. Even in that regard, Jehovah's Witnesses are still the only ones where all members are expected to do the work and therefore the only ones in line to receive the reward, even if we are mistaken about something. Our strokes would be few. What about you?

Evil Slave Not: Unbelievers

Based On: Mt 25:22, 31-46; 2Pe 3:4.

Some commentaries ignore the very first words regarding the evil slave. It says, "If ever that slave should say in his heart, ‘My master delays coming,’ So first, they recognize who their master is, and then believe he is delaying. Thus, these are believers, but ones who are losing faith in the Christ's return.

They are not already beating their fellow slaves, but only begin to after losing faith. So this cannot be simply unbelievers.

Not: Just a Parable of Watchfulness

Based on: Matthew 24:42-44; Luke 12:37-40.

A common interpretation, this ignores all details in the illustration that followed those words. If that were all he were wanting to relate, why bother with the feature of giving food supplies to the attendants? Yes, watchfulness is important, but not directly identified as the role of the steward in this illustration, but is the responsibility of all who are invited to the marriage feast.

Not: Bible Writers

Based on: Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4 (Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 8:4).

Note again the Bible's words: “Everyone who continues to feed on milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is a young child. But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” So one who takes milk is “unacquainted” with God's word, so God's word is not the spiritual food because it is not the milk. So what is?

Solid spiritual food is given only to those who “have their powers of discernment trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” So this connects spiritual food to those who are taught what is right and wrong. So then, the milk is for those who are still learning right and wrong. But note that the mature ones have “trained” their “powers of discernment” “through use.” So the milk helps to train them and they put it to use. So the spiritual food, then, is like a training program which helps a person learn to use and maintain their ability to distinguish right and wrong. For those who are new, they are given spiritual “milk” to bring them up to that level. But now, this raises a question about Bible teachers.

Not: Bible Teachers or Clergy

Based on: Titus 1:7-9.

Note that the words at Matthew 24:45 and Luke 12:42 do not say they feed the domestics (attendants), but only says they give them food.

A Bible teacher certainly feeds the person spiritual “milk” to become strong enough to distinguish right and wrong, but they are not the distributors of the “milk”. First of all, a Bible teacher is not needed after the student has reached spiritual maturity, so they do not distribute the “solid food” to them which keeps them in good spiritual shape for the rest of their lives. A teacher from a platform does feed the congregation spiritual “solid food” to help them maintain their ability to distinguish right and wrong, but are they the distributors of Jesus’ prophecy?

Think of a parent feeding their family. They may heat it up, but maybe someone else prepared it as when a neighbor has his wife prepare dishes to be friendly and he asks the child to choose which dish he will take to the other family. Today, a manufacturer prepares it and packages it and then a distributor or vendor makes the prepared food available to the parent. The parent then feeds it to their family. Neither the preparer nor the parent is the distributor. Congregation teachers are like the parent. The manufacturer is like the writers making the spiritual food from the recipe provided by Christ, but the distributor makes the spiritual food available to many, just as when the apostles distributed food to the many.—Matthew 14:14-22; 15:29-39.

Could, then, the distributors be those distributing Bibles? See the previous heading for the answer.

At Titus 1:7, an overseer is called a “steward”. A steward of what? As we saw above, a Christian is a “steward” of God’s loving kindness (grace). Likewise here, we are told what the overseers are stewards of. Verse 9 says they are stewards of “the faithful word,” not of the congregation (the domestics).

How Has Christendom's Clergy Failed to Be "the Faithful and Discreet Slave"?

The heads of Christendom's many religions have neglected their duty to provide spiritual "food at the proper time". Nearly all have entirely neglected their responsibilities to direct the spiritual welfare of their congregations from a central authority, or else do it from only one person (whether currently or from the past).

They push false doctrines that must be forced into the Scriptures and entrenching themselves in the political and social affairs of the world while cursing their enemies. They fleece their flocks for every penny they can squeeze out of them through commercial business ventures, donation drives, prayer requests for money, church yard sales and passing the plate. All the while they pay lip service to the signs of the times without using it to motivate their parishioners to righteousness, choosing instead to rebel against God and the authorities.

Not: All in Positions of Power

Based on: Ro 13:1-5; 1Pe 2:13, 14.

The suggestion by a few that this applies to authorities ignores that these ones are in expectation at any point of the master's coming. Many of the nations on earth are not Christian. Many of those in positions of authority have never had even the faintest glimmer of idea that Christ is their master. So this cannot apply to authorities.

Not: Israel or Its Leadership

Based on: Isaiah 44:21; 65:13; Matthew 24:15-22.

The illustration is claimed by some to apply only to the last days of Israel. Christ is the Master. He did not appoint any Jewish leaders over Israel. He only appointed lowly Jewish men over the Christian congregation and below we will cover that they were not the steward. (Lu 22:14, 24, 28-30) Both Jewish and Greek Christians were later counted as the "Israel of God" according to the spirit rather than the Jewish nation.—Romans 2:28, 29; 9:6-16, 24; Gal 6:15, 16.

1 Corinthians 10:3, 4 says, "All [Israel] ate the same spiritual food and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they used to drink from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock meant the Christ." So "spiritual food" was not distributed in the nation of Israel by any intervening class, priestly or otherwise.  Additionally, the analysis of what "spiritual food" is above (See Not: Bible Teachers or Clergy) shows that Israel did not present spiritual food in the way demonstrated by Jesus. Jesus even noted that the Pharisees did not do the job that they had taken upon themselves to do for money taken from the temple treasury.—Mt 23:13; Ro 2:22.

The fact is they never expected the messiah to be the actual Son of God nor to need resurrection, belief in which is a necessary part of Christian spiritual food according to Hebrews 5:13-6:2.

The service indicated at Isaiah 44:21 and elsewhere is referring to their being bought from Egypt as at 43:1, which leads into 44. It has nothing to do with giving food supplies to attendants, as Jehovah himself provided food to them.—Le 26:3-6.

Isaiah 65:13 is talking to the Jews about the Christian congregation, as the full first half of the psalm shows that the Jews were unwilling to listen. The second half of the psalm was never fulfilled on the nation, especially not in Jesus' day. It will ultimately be fulfilled on those having faith in Jesus in paradise.

Not: Only Those With a Special Calling By God

Based on: Acts 9:3-5, 10-17.

Certainly, if anyone is given a calling by God in a vision, then they should obey God, but there is no indication in Jesus' prophecy that the appointment of the faithful and discreet slave be given only to those who receive such a vision or direct word from God, but instead are merely given requirements to fulfill.

Paul's words at 1 Corinthians 9:17 indicate the specific calling he spoke of at Acts 26:14-18. He refers to it again at Galatian 2:7 as the same sort Peter had. At Romans 11:13, he calls himself "an apostle to the nations," and at 1 Timothy 2:7, "a teacher of nations in the matter of faith and truth." This was a very specific stewardship, but one in which neither he nor Peter are described specifically as "faithful and discreet". But Paul was never told to "feed my sheep" as Peter had been. (John 21:15-17)

Let us now consider other special assignments.

Not: Prophets

Based on: De 18:15, 18, 19; Joh 1:21; 1Pe 1:10-12; Re 3:14-22.

There are requirements for the Prophet of Moses’ prophecy at Deuteronomy 18:15, 18, 19 that must be met. He must first of all say, “This is what Jehovah says …” They must also speak prophecies that come true and never lead people away from Jehovah. But the Prophet is never associated with any specific appointment, nor with the distribution of food, nor with attendants or domestics.

The ability to prophesy is nowhere associated with an appointed steward who provides food for domestics or attendants. No one today proclaiming "this is what Jehovah says" states a prophecy that comes true except accidentally in among many failed prophecies because they are unable to repeat it ("Even a broken clock is right twice a day").

At one time, some among the Bible Students attempted to declare Charles Russell to be the "faithful and discreet slave" because they claimed that he was a prophet, in fact “THE prophet” at John 1:21 and "the Laodicean messenger" of Revelation 3:14-22 because he was the means by which Jehovah was restoring true worship. However, Russell never claimed to be a prophet, let alone the Prophet. He never attempted to prophesy and he discouraged anyone from identifying him as "the faithful and discreet slave" of Jesus' prophecy. Those ones eventually either abandoned that belief or left the Bible Students all together.

Not: the Apostles

Based on: Mr 3:14, 15; Lu 12:41.

Some insist it is the apostles because Matthew 24:2, 16 specifically indicates the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. However, there were only two major wars, one notable earthquake, and two food shortages in the years leading up to 70 C.E. (Mt 24:4-8; Lu 21:8-11; Acts 11:28) Only one other person besides Jesus pretended to be the messiah back then, but did not claim to be Jesus himself, as he had foretold. Those numbers are hardly worth noting. So clearly this prophecy was to occur on a scale more like we see today.—See Supplemental: "This Generation" Not Limited to First Century CE.

While they did provide spiritual "food at the proper time," they were not the specific steward present in the last days when the Master comes to collect them. Christ never returned at the destruction of Jerusalem. (Mt 24:46; Lu 12:43) Thus there is little connecting them to the fulfillment of the last days. At best, they foreshadowed the group in question.

Not: Those Providing the Emblems

Based on: John 6:48-58.

Jesus spoke of his flesh and blood as food and drink, but it does not correspond to the food Paul spoke of and which Jesus implied when he said, “Feed my sheep” after feeding the apostles fish. That was healthful food. The food mentioned at John 6:48-58, on the other hand, was representative of the New Covenant and the Priesthood as at Luke 22:19, 20.

Just as with the human body, there are different varieties of food for different purposes. Like spiritual food nurtures the spirit, substantial food nurtures the body, keeps it healthy and helps it grow and repair damage as when Jesus fed the apostles fish. The emblems do not serve that purpose. They instead serve to sacrifice the body the way one cuts out corruption and to bind to a priestly covenant. (1Co 15:50) So the emblems are more like the offerings of the priestly altar, bringing salvation to many.

Additionally, in the example set when feeding the 4,000 and the 5,000, it was only loaves of leavened bread and fish served without wine. This indicated a nutritional purpose only.

Not: a Class in Heaven

Based on: Act 24:15; Re 21:2.

It is believed by some that Jesus will send resurrected holy ones to teach unrighteous people according to Re 21:2. However, the steward is to be found feeding the domestics upon the Master's return to earth. Unless Christ's return occurred after that event, which Revelation does not indicate, nor does any other scripture.

Objections to the Feeding of the Many

Some claim the small group of 12 apostles could not have handed out food individually to the around 20,000 men, women and children. However, Luke 9:12, 13 says that “the 12 now came up” and he said to them: “You give them something to eat.”

Afterward, all four accounts say that these same disciples picked up leftovers with 12 baskets, indicating the number of disciples doing the gathering. (Mt 14:15-20) According to Matthew 14:22 and Mark 6:45, these disciples entered into the same boat with Jesus; not much more than that could fit on a fishing boat no larger than a dingy.

The 12 apostles had delivered the food to and gathered fragments from, not each and every individual, but groups of 50 and 100 men (primarily family heads; Mr 6:40). There were 5,000 men on one occasion and 4,000 on another, so the apostles only needed to hand out baskets to around 5-8 groups each. That is not difficult to do within 1 hour.—Mt 14:14-22; 16:9, 10; Mr 6:35-44.

Does the Master's Departure Matter?

Some claim Christ appointed a slave in order to depart and return later, based on Matthew 21:23 (Mr 12:1; Lu 20:9) and 25:14 (Mr 13:34; Lu 19:12), but no such departure is mentioned in the account at Matthew 24:45-47 (Lu 12:42, 43), which he is so careful to include in the other accounts where it mattered.—Mt 21:33 (Mr 12:1, 9; Lu 20:9); Mr 13:34; Lu 19:12 (Mt 25:14).

Jesus said: “If I go my way and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you home to myself, so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14:3) But none of this is indicated by Jesus' words in Matthew 24. He merely talks about an appointment before his arrival and an appointment after his arrival.

In fact, it is completely possible to appoint caretakers over a property without being physically present. So their appointment does not require that they be appointed before he left. Thus, Christ's departure is not important to identifying when the steward was appointed, and that is why it is not mentioned.

In fact, the account in Luke 12, written after 70 C.E., says the words “will appoint”. Luke wrote his account to be interpretive, as with Jesus' prophecy about Jerusalem by being surrounded by encamped armies. (Lu 21:20) Matthew, however, used past tense as having already occurred by the prophecy's fulfillment. Luke thus indicates the appointment was still future, but past in relation to Jesus’ arrival. So the appointment would come any time after the fall of Jerusalem and before Christ's coming.

Peripheral Illustrations Not the Same

Some of the above interpretations come from thinking the surrounding illustrations in Matthew and Luke are important to understanding the steward prophecy.

However, the ten virgins in Matthew are not described as “faithful”, nor called a “steward” who are appointed over everything. (25:1-12) The male slaves of the parallel account in Luke are also not described as "faithful" (Though of course they are, as with any of God's servants). Like the virgins, this different group demonstrates what it means to be discreet, but not what it means to be a steward that feeds the sheep.—Lu 12:36-38.

The lamp oil illustration indicates that the oil (kerosene) feeds the light within themselves and must be acquired by some means and hoarded because it does not multiply on its own. They are, therefore, not the suppliers of the oil.

In the illustration of the talents or minas, none are described as stewards, nor discreet. (Mt 25:14-30; Lu 19:12-27) They are meant to show what it means for any Christian to be faithful in their preaching duties, not what it means to be a steward or to distribute food. The talents acquire more talents, therefore the talents are not the same as the food or the lamp oil.

In neither of these last two illustrations does waiting for the Master's arrival make them a steward. A steward is not such by virtue of them being entrusted with money, or else they would hoard the money, but by their being entrusted with a specific duty. Those with the talents were not assigned any specified task, but managed what they were given. Those with the oil were not entrusted with anything but managed what they had.

To arbitrarily say that either of the other two groups are the steward is to say that a cat is a cow because it has spots or to say the parts are the same as the whole. Neither of which makes any sense. It is simply a stretch beyond reach to claim that one commonality makes them all the same. Yes, the steward is among those with the talents and those with the lamps, but not all those with the talents or lamp oil are the steward.

Each of the three illustrations are highlighting the groups doing different things at the time of the Master's arrival. The first is the virgins or manservants who wait, described as discreet, they are not the anointed bride. There are also the slaves who act with what they are given, described as faithful. Finally, there are the stewards, described as both faithful and discreet; they both wait for the Master and faithfully fulfill their assigned task to provide food supplies to non-steward slaves and receive the highest appointment ”over all his belongings.” You could say these are the ones who provision the virgins (slaves) with the oil.

The servants in these illustrations also end up in different places. Jesus “comes alongside” the manservants (the virgins) to “minister to them.” (Lu 12:37) So after his arrival, they are still on earth. Luke 8:11, 12 also indicates an earthly banquet when those invited “come from east and west” and some are thrown out into mental darkness where they remain able to nash their teeth, so they have not yet been destroyed at Armageddon. Likewise, the indiscreet virgins were left pleading outside. (Mt 25:11, 12) This banquet began in 1914. But the steward is appointed to rule over all Christ's belongings, so they end up in heaven with the rest of the resurrected anointed ones where they judge angels.—1Co 6:3.

Also, Jesus in no other place has ever stated three parables to express a single point. Likewise, these illustrations are expressing three different points about faithfulness, discretion and stewardship as separate instructions to different groups.

Conclusion

By not arbitrarily choosing a meaning, but keeping at it until we found the correct understanding, we have a deeper understanding of the Bible and of how many other prophecies relate to this one. We are also not left with an understanding that does not benefit us. We are instead given a clear understanding of the importance of those taking the lead who provide for our spiritual needs by distributing spiritual food to congregations.

If you know of more interpretations or details not included here, comment below or message us with the contact form in the sidebar.

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UPDATES: originally posted 1/9/23 11:52 PM. Updated Jan 16 at 10:38 PM: objections: Christ, animal owners and food distributors. Updated Jan 21 at 11:13 PM: objections: Apostolic Succession and Single Person. Added text to Author's note and "What Are the 'food supplies'"? Updated Jan 30 at 11:48 PM: objection: Stewards of Each Other; heading: Are You a “Faithful and Discreet Slave”? Updated Feb 1 at 11:18 PM: objections: Bible Writers and Bible Teachers or Clergy. Updated Feb 8 at 5:27 PM: Evil Slave Not: Unbelievers; objections: Just a Parable About Watchfulness; All in Positions of Power. Feb 27 at 3:01 PM: How Has Christendom's Clergy Failed to Be "the Faithful and Discreet Slave"?: Not: Israel or Its Leadership. Mar 6 at 10:04 AM: objections: Only Those With a Special Calling By God; Prophets; Apostles; Those Providing the Emblems; a Class in Heaven. Mar 8 at 2:25 PM: Objections to the Feeding of the Many; Does the Master's Departure Matter?; Peripheral Illustrations Not the Same; Conclusion.