King James Version

What Does Luke 12:42 Mean?

Luke 12:42 in the King James Version says “And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to giv... — study this verse from Luke chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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?

Luke 12:42 · KJV


Context

40

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

41

Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

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?

43

Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44

Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward (εἶπεν δὲ ὁ κύριος, Τίς ἄρα ἐστὶν ὁ πιστὸς οἰκονόμος ὁ φρόνιμος, eipen de ho kyrios, Tis ara estin ho pistos oikonomos ho phronimos)—Instead of directly answering Peter's question, Jesus poses a rhetorical question that applies to both leaders and all believers. The interrogative tis (τίς, who) challenges hearers to self-examination. The adjectives pistos (πιστός, faithful, trustworthy) and phronimos (φρόνιμος, wise, prudent, sensible) describe the ideal steward. Oikonomos (οἰκονόμος) means household manager or steward—one entrusted with managing another's property.

Whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? (ὃν καταστήσει ὁ κύριος ἐπὶ τῆς θεραπείας αὐτοῦ τοῦ διδόναι ἐν καιρῷ τὸ σιτομέτριον; hon katastēsei ho kyrios epi tēs therapeias autou tou didonai en kairō to sitometrion?)—The relative clause describes the steward's appointment and responsibility. The verb kathistēmi (καθίστημι, make ruler, appoint) indicates delegated authority. The noun therapeia (θεραπεία) means household servants or staff; sitometrion (σιτομέτριον) means food ration or portion of grain. The phrase en kairō (ἐν καιρῷ, in due season, at the proper time) emphasizes timely, appropriate provision. The steward's task: faithfully distribute resources at the right time to those under his care. This pictures Christian leaders feeding God's flock with spiritual truth (John 21:15-17, 1 Peter 5:2).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Large estates in the Roman world employed stewards (oikonomoi) who managed households, supervised servants, and distributed provisions. These stewards held significant authority and responsibility, though they themselves were servants accountable to the master. Paul uses this imagery repeatedly (1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Titus 1:7), describing Christian ministers as stewards of God's mysteries. The early church applied this teaching to pastoral oversight—elders were stewards responsible for feeding the flock with sound doctrine and ensuring each member received proper spiritual nourishment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does faithful and wise stewardship look like for Christian leaders entrusted with feeding God's household?
  2. How does the imagery of giving proper portions at proper times apply to pastoral teaching and care?
  3. In what ways are all believers stewards of resources, gifts, and knowledge entrusted by God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
εἶπεν1 of 26

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

δὲ2 of 26

And

G1161

but, and, etc

3 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριος4 of 26

his lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Τίς5 of 26

Who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἄρα6 of 26
G687

therefore

ἐστὶν7 of 26

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

8 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πιστὸς9 of 26

that faithful

G4103

objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful

οἰκονόμος10 of 26

steward

G3623

a house-distributor (i.e., manager), or overseer, i.e., an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preach

καὶ11 of 26

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

φρόνιμος12 of 26

wise

G5429

thoughtful, i.e., sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while g4680 denotes practical skill or acumen; and g4908 indicates rather inte

ὃν13 of 26

whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

καταστήσει14 of 26

shall make ruler

G2525

to place down (permanently), i.e., (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convoy

15 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κύριος16 of 26

his lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἐπὶ17 of 26

over

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τῆς18 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεραπείας19 of 26

household

G2322

attendance (specially, medical, i.e., cure); figuratively and collectively, domestics

αὐτοῦ20 of 26
G846

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

τοῦ21 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

διδόναι22 of 26

to give

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

ἐν23 of 26

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

καιρῷ24 of 26

due season

G2540

an occasion, i.e., set or proper time

τὸ25 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σιτομέτριον26 of 26

them their portion of meat

G4620

a grain-measure, i.e., (by implication) ration (allowance of food)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 12:42 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 12:42 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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