Parables: Servants In Charge

Parables

Following Jesus

Storytelling

There is a number of different parables all with a similar story-line and theme.

Matthew 21:33-45; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19 - Tenants in vineyard. A landowner plants a vineyard, rents it to some tenants, then goes away. At harvest he sent servants to get the produce. But the servants were beaten and killed. Lastly, he sent his son but he was also killed. Those tenants came to "a wretched end" and the vineyard rented to some others.
Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 12:42-48 - The faithful servant. A servant is left in charge of the other servants in a master's household. If he is faithful, he will be put in charge of all of the master's possessions. But if he thinks that the master is not returning soon and he beats the servants and gets drunk, he will be severely judged when the master returns unexpectedly.
Matthew 25:14-30 - The bags of gold (talents). A master gives three servants three different amounts of money to invest while he is away. Two double their money and are commended and rewarded. The third, out of fear, simply buries the money and returns the amount he had been given. He is severely judged.
- Luke 19:11-27 - The Minas. A very similar parable but also significantly different in some of the details. A nobleman goes away to be crowned king. Ten servants were given minas (about 3 month's wages.) His subjects do not like him. Those who are faithful are given charge over cities.
Mark 13:34-37; Luke 12:35-41 - Watchful servants. A master leaves servants in charge. They do not want to be found sleeping when he returns unexpectedly and so are instructed to keep watch.

A different but somewhat similar parable tells of ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom to arrive (Matthew 25:1-13). It finishes with a similar message: "Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day of the hour."