The Faithful And Discreet Slave

Jehovah’s Witnesses Teach

Matthew 24:45 asks,

 "Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master has appointed over his domestics to  feed them at the proper time?"

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which according to Jehovah’s Witnesses is the faithful and discreet slave, has declared that they are directly directed by holy spirit and are God’s representatives on earth. The January 15, 2001, issue of The Watchtower states that “Kingdom interests on earth have been entrusted to ‘the faithful and discreet slave’ who is represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

Only the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses can interpret the Bible. The teachings that spring from the interpretations of the Governing Body are called “the truth” by Jehovah’s Witnesses. This teaching precedes the Bible. If members understand something in the Bible differently from the Governing Body, then the member should use the interpretation given by the council and not what he reads from the Bible. Expressing one’s own opinions, which are contrary to the views of the Governing Body, can lead to disfellowshipping and thus disfellowshipping.

What Does the Bible Teach?

Matthew chapter 24 verses 1-26 is about events in connection with the fall of Jerusalem in 70 C.E. We understand this from the chapter’s own description of the events in relation to Luke 21:20, which states it bluntly. Then from verse 27, Matthew 24 touches on the presence of the Son of Man [Christ].

There are two illustrations in particular that are important to understand the meaning of Matthew 24 verses 43-51:

1. The illustration of the landlord who does not know when the thief will come in the night (verse 43-44)
2. The illustration of the slaves who are either faithful and wise or wicked (verses 45–48)

These illustrations are related to each other. Illustration number 2 addresses a theme from verses 37–39 that daily life goes on, as if people don’t care about the events of the Son of man’s presence.

Verse 45 gives an example of slaves at this time that their master has appointed over the domestics to give food rations. Terms such as “master”, “slaves” and “servants” have become obsolete and are not used today in the same sense as they did then. In today’s language, we might translate verse 45: “Who really is the faithful and discreet worker, whom his employer has appointed over his workmen to feed them at the right time?” The fact that the wise supervisors give the workers food rations is in accordance with Revelation 6:8, which describes food shortages at Jesus’ coming. Although Matthew 24:7 also states that there will be “food shortages,” it is unclear whether the Bible allows the scripture to be expanded to include Christ’s presence.

Verse 48 gives an example of how during this time there will also be supervisors who feel that the employer is delaying coming and therefore begins to behave badly. These supervisors do not take care of the workers and are punished by the employer when the employer arrives.

In other words, Matthew chapters 24 and 25 provide illustrative descriptions of how some will wait patiently for Jesus while others will not. The faithful and discreet slave is an illustration and not an identified group.

It is the Governing Body itself that designates itself as a wise steward. Some would disagree, claiming that the Governing Body has in fact made itself lord over its members in violation of 2 Corinthians 1:24. The Governing Body is not fellow workers but religious leaders who determine the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses. There is no Scriptural basis for claiming that a particular denomination has the exclusive right to give “truth” at the right time.

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