Food for thought: interpreting the parable of the loyal and wise slave in Q 12:42-44

Article

Abstract

English
The parable of the loyal and wise slave appears in Q 12:42-46 (Matt. 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-46). I have argued elsewhere that verses 45-46 were added to verses 42-44 by Q’s main redactor. If so, only Q 12:42-44 originally appeared in Kloppenborg’s formative stratum, or Q1. The purpose of the present article is to ascertain the parable’s meaning as it seemingly appeared on the level of Q’s formative stratum. The latter is mainly achieved by taking seriously the parable’s application of the slavery metaphor. It should not come as a surprise that the parable in Q 12:42-44 is all about feeding God’s people.

Keywords

English
Parable Slavery Q Formative stratum Feed
Record information

Authors

Howes, L.

Publisher

Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State