The Servant and His Duty

Jesus asked his listeners to picture a servant who had been out ploughing or looking after sheep. When that servant came in from the field, would the master say at once, “Come and sit down to eat?” Jesus expected the answer to be no.

Instead, the master would tell the servant to prepare the evening meal, dress properly for serving, and wait on him while he ate and drank. Only afterwards would the servant eat and drink.

Jesus then asked whether the master would thank the servant for doing what he had been commanded. Again, the expected answer was no. In the story, the servant had simply carried out his assigned task.

Then Jesus applied the parable. When his listeners have done all they were commanded, they should say they are unworthy servants who have only done their duty. His story teaches humility, not self-congratulation.