The focus of this parable is the search for a leader who can be trusted to look after fellow servants. It assumes that there is a master with many servants who appoints one to be in charge while he goes away for a time.1 Historically it has been understood as a parable that speaks particularly to church office bearers/leaders (see 2 Peter 2:3; Micah 3:11–12; 1 Timothy 6:5),2 although the application also includes lay members.
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?