Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

MATTHEW 24:45KJV
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Matthew 24:45 (KJV)

What does Matthew 24:45 mean?

Matthew 24:45 presents a servant whose master has entrusted him with care for the rest of the household. Jesus asks who can be counted on to carry out that responsibility faithfully and wisely while the master is away.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples. His question follows a warning to be ready for the Son of man’s coming, using a household scene to picture a duty that continues during an absence.

The Greek behind Matthew 24:45

  • “servant” — δοῦλος (doulos): The word often refers to an enslaved person. The servant’s authority over the household comes from his master’s appointment, not from ownership of the household.
  • “wise” — φρόνιμος (phronimos): The word carries the sense of being sensible or prudent. Here, wisdom concerns how the servant handles a task entrusted to him.
  • “meat” — τροφή (trophē): The word means food or nourishment. In the KJV, “meat” can mean food generally, rather than animal flesh specifically.

Why Matthew 24:45 matters

  • The servant’s position is tied to the care of others. The master makes him ruler over the household “to give them meat in due season,” making food at the proper time the stated purpose of his authority.
  • Jesus’ question sets up a contrast in the passage. The servant who is found doing his duty when the master comes is praised, while the servant who assumes a long delay mistreats others (Matthew 24:46–49).
  • The master’s return brings the servant’s conduct into view. The surrounding passage connects the servant’s actions during the absence with what happens when the master comes (Matthew 24:46–51).

Where else these words appear

“household” Greek G2322 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 9:11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
  • Luke 12:42 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?
  • Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

“wise” Greek G5429 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
  • Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
  • Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

“meat” Greek G5160 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
  • Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
  • Acts 27:36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

“ruler” Greek G2525 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
  • Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
  • Hebrews 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: