The Gospel of Matthew
Parables: Mt 24,37-51
Matthew's message at this stage is the need to stay awake. Whereas Mark brings his discourse to its conclusion (Mk 13,33-37) with that exhortation, Matthew provides three illustrations which will provide a starting point for his futher development.
The book of Genesis makes the point that only Noah was righteous (Gen 7,1) but nothing is actually said about the complacency of his contemporaries. They were not prepared for disaster to strike.
That is implied too in the man and woman examples in verses 40 and 41. The one taken is the one who is ready.
Then thirdly, the stay awake theme (24,42) is illustrated by the master of the house ready and prepared for the thief to come in verse 43.
Matthew has now added the importance of staying awake to the need for being prepared. This need he will now illustrate further with the three story parables.
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The Faithful/Wicked Slave: Mt 24,45-51
The servant in verse 45 is faithful and sensible (rather than wise): he is a practical and dependable administrator despite his status as a slave. There are echoes here of Joseph (Gen 39,4) who at the time was a slave and ran into problems as a result.
Such slaves were common in the Roman Empire. Some read this parable as refering to Church leaders (1 Cor 4,1) who are set over God's household (Ep 2,19).
In verse 46, the slave is pronounced "blessed", similar to the Beatitudes and recalling the blessed man of psalm 1.
The reward of this salve in verse 47 comes as with a solemn statement by Jesus, "amen I say to you...". His reward will be greater responsibility as with the two slaves who a little later will be successful with their talents (25.21.23).
The sudden change in verse 48 from sensible to wicked suggests a good slave gone bad. Literally he speaks "in his heart", which is a much deeper level than indicated by "says to himself". The temptation to make the most of the absent master must have been too great for him."
The slave talks about a "long delay"; the phrase will be repeated in 25,5.19.
We can note in verse 49 the reference to "fellow slaves", indicating the basic equality among them. Without reading too much into this verse, the equality of the early Christian community comes to mind, as above.
The unexpected return of the master in verse 50 is in line with the earlier comments, 24,36.44.
The punishment in verse 51 means "cut in half". Whether or not this is to be taken literally may be a moot point, though see Hebrews 11,37. His fate is with the hypocrites, a reminder of chapter 23, which we noted could also be read with Christian overtones.
The blessed-wicked contrast of this parable also implies a choice, to follow the way of the just or the way of the wicked (Ps 1,6).
Some suggest that the wicked slave is a second one. That would reduce the power of the parable.
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