by Crazyguy 10 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Its been mentioned here before that the Governing Body almost never mentions the verses in Luke about the Faithful and Discreet Slave. One reason is because the scriptures are more in detail but could this also be the real reason they don't mention these scriptures.
New International Version (NIV)
41 Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”
It plainly states its a Parable!!!!!!LOL
CrazyGuy:
Although I very much agree with you that the F&DS story is a parable, I think what Peter is referring to what is said in Luke 12:35-40.
Incidentally, just as Luke 12:39-40 precedes the story of the F&DS in Luke, so Matthew 24:43, 44 precedes it in Matthew.
(Luke 12:39-40) . . .“But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief would come, he would have kept watching and not have let his house be broken into. 40 YOU also, keep ready, because at an hour that YOU do not think likely the Son of man is coming.”
(Matthew 24:43, 44) . . .But know one thing, that if the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 On this account YOU too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that YOU do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.
The F&DS parable naturally follows. In Luke it is the result of Peter's question of who this applies to. The Olivet Discourse in Matthew represents a re-telling of the passage by Jesus, so no need to repeat Peter's question that leads to the F&DS parable.
As to how the F&DS parable relates to the parable told before it, see here for some thoughts.
Take Care
Well I'll be a monkey's uncle. Of course I always figured it was a parable but there it is in black and white. Bet the Nwt doesn't translate it like that though.
Julia, here's a link to the various translations of it... http://biblehub.com/luke/12-41.htm
I went to JW.org, and it says, " Then Peter said: “Lord, are you telling this illustration just to us or also to everyone?” "
Isnt a parable - illustration - parable much the same thing ? Whether it be a parable or an illustration , its not to be taken literally , right ?
smiddy
Oh, I know it's the same thing, basically. I was just showing what the various translations said because of the comment before mine.
Jesus basicaly answered a question with a question.
Is that question ever answered?
Are these two scriptures the whole basis for GB giving themselves the title of FDS?
And why doesn't the GB use Luke's account more than Matthew's?
Although I still find it quite confusing it makes more sense than Matthew's version.
@smiddy
Because the WT knows well, that it is a parable or illustration - and not taken literally ---> they defined the new phrase "prophetic illustrations" oder "prophetic parables".
Here one example from the 70's:
*** w75 10/1 p. 590 par. 6 Things Which the “Kingdom of the Heavens” Is Like ***
6 Because “all the crowd began to rejoice at all the glorious things done by him,” one would incline to think that Jesus reacted to the rejoicing of “all the crowd” by telling two prophetic illustrations to picture how God’s kingdom would not be made up of only a “little flock,” as Jesus had indicated earlier, in Luke 12:32.
And here the one for the F&DS:
*** w13 7/15 p. 8 par. 19 “Tell Us, When Will These Things Be?” ***
19 In review, what have we learned? In the beginning of this article, we raised three “when” questions. We first considered that the great tribulation did not begin in 1914 but will start when the United Nations attacks Babylon the Great. Then, we reviewed why Jesus’ judgment of the sheep and the goats did not begin in 1914 but will occur during the great tribulation. Finally, we examined why Jesus’ arrival to appoint the faithful slave over all his belongings did not occur in 1919 but will take place during the great tribulation. So, then, all three “whens” apply to the same future time period—the great tribulation. How does this adjusted view further affect our understanding of the illustration of the faithful slave? Also, how does it affect our understanding of other parables, or illustrations, of Jesus that are being fulfilled during this time of the end? These important questions will be considered in the following articles.
Jesus basicaly answered a question with a question.
Is that question ever answered?
See comments here.
And why doesn't the GB use Luke's account more than Matthew's?
Although I still find it quite confusing it makes more sense than Matthew's version.
I think you answered your own question. But see here (regarding Luke's fuller version of the parable) and here for additional links to different aspects of the parable.
