“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
--New International Version
The identity of the “faithful and discreet slave” is one of the key teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the 20th and 21st centuries. At the rate things are going, it will likely remain a notable doctrine into the 22nd century as well. We are all familiar with the scripture at Matthew 24. But have we ever read it with a truly open mind?
One thing that becomes clear when reading the passage carefully is that it appears in the context of a series of parables Jesus was giving to his disciples. There is also a similar account recorded in Luke. A parable, by definition, is a story meant to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson rather than describe a literal arrangement.
This scripture is unique in Jehovah’s Witness theology because it is interpreted as referring to a literal group on earth—an actual body of men appointed by Jesus to instruct his disciples. But does this interpretation hold up?
Since the passage is presented as a parable, we might compare it to the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Jehovah’s Witnesses have often explained that parable symbolically. We would not try to identify a literal “rich man” living today, because we recognize the account as a figurative story meant to teach a lesson. Or take the parable of the Good Samaritan. We don't look for modern entities to fill their roles. We, instead, learn that everyone is our 'neighbor'.
Yet when it comes to the faithful and discreet slave, the interpretation suddenly becomes literal. If this passage is actually a prophecy describing events in the last days—particularly beginning in 1919—then what about the “evil slave” mentioned in the same context? The organization tends to say that this figure does not represent a specific class that needs to be identified. But if one figure in the parable is literal, why wouldn’t the other be as well?
Looking at the description of the faithful and discreet slave, what is his role? He feeds his fellow servants spiritual food and cares for his brothers. But where does this spiritual food come from? Does he invent it himself? The scriptures suggest that the nourishment he dispenses comes from God’s Word, not from human traditions.
In that sense, the faithful slave could simply represent a body of believers who faithfully teach and encourage others based on the Bible itself. When teachings go beyond the scriptures, they cease to be simple doctrine and instead become dogma.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the Governing Body fulfills the role of the faithful and discreet slave. But what evidence supports this claim? Are they consistently dispensing clear spiritual truths?
Consider some recent adjustments: men may now wear beards, women may wear pants, and string lights can be placed around a house—as long as they are not turned on during Christmas. Are such rulings really coming from Jehovah, or are they the decisions of imperfect men?
Jesus strongly condemned the religious leaders of his day for “teaching the traditions of men as doctrine.”Are we doing the same?
And if we are, how will Jesus react when he comes to judge his people?