Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Luke: Chapter 12]
12:41 {Peter said} (\Eipen de ho Petros\). This whole paragraph
from verse 22-40 had been addressed directly to the disciples.
Hence it is not surprising to find Peter putting in a question.
This incident confirms also the impression that Luke is giving
actual historical data in the environment of these discourses. He
is certain that the Twelve are meant, but he desires to know if
others are included, for he had spoken to the multitude in verses
13-21. Recall Mr 13:37. This interruption is somewhat like
that on the Mount of Transfiguration (Lu 9:33) and is
characteristic of Peter. Was it the magnificent promise in verse
37 that stirred Peter's impulsiveness? It is certainly more
than a literary device of Luke. Peter's question draws out a
parabolic reply by Jesus (42-48).
12:42 {Who then} (\tis ara\). Jesus introduces this parable of
the wise steward (42-48) by a rhetorical question that answers
itself. Peter is this wise steward, each of the Twelve is, anyone
is who acts thus. {The faithful and wise steward} (\ho pistos
oikonomos ho phronimos\). The faithful steward, the wise one. A
steward is house manager (\oikos, nem•\, to manage). Each man is
a steward in his own responsibilities. {Household}
(\therapeias\). Literally, service from \therapeu•\. medical
service as in Lu 9:11, by metonymy household (a body of those
domestics who serve). {Their portion of food} (\to sitometrion\).
Late word from \sitometre•\ (Ge 47:12) for the Attic \ton siton
metre•\, to measure the food, the rations. Here only in the N.T.
or anywhere else till Deissmann (_Bible Studies_, p. 158) found
it in an Egyptian papyrus and then an inscription in Lycia
(_Light from the Ancient East_, p. 104).
12:44 {Over all} (\epi p•sin\). See Mt 24-47 for \epi\ with
locative in this sense. Usually with genitive as in verse 42
and sometimes with accusative as in verse 14.
12:45 {Shall say} (\eip•i\). Second aorist subjunctive, with
\ean\, condition of the third class, undetermined, but with
prospect of being determined. {Delayeth} (\chronizei\). From
\chronos\, time, spends time, lingers. {Shall begin} (\arx•tai\).
First aorist middle subjunctive with \ean\ and the same condition
as \eip•i\, above. {The menservants} (\tous paidas\) {and the
maidservants} (\kai tas paidiskas\). \Paidisk•\ is a diminutive
of \pais\ for a young female slave and occurs in the papyri,
orginally just a damsel. Here \pais\ can mean slave also though
strictly just a boy.
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