# WHO IS “THAT SERVANT”?

- Link: https://food4jws.kingdomherald.com/who-is-that-servant/
- Published: 2026-09-09T03:31:23+00:00
- Author: RR

Let’s explore the concept of “That Servant” as mentioned in Matthew 24 and Luke 
12. We’ll look at the Luke account, since it provides more details than the Matthew
account. In Luke 12:37-44, we find a passage where Jesus shares a parable in response
to inquiries about the signs of His return, often referred to as the parousia or
the second coming of Christ. The scripture states:

“37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.
Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat,
and will come and serve them. 38 And if he should come in the second watch, or come
in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this,
that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would
have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 40 Therefore you also 
be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Here are the key verses:

41 Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all
people?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom
his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food
in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when
he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.”

Matthew states “all his goods.” In verses 45 to 48, he warns that a servant who 
is unwise and unfaithful will receive punishment, and this punishment includes being
thrown into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. He
concludes in verse 48 with the statement that “to whom much is given, much will 
be required.”

Regarding the question of who is referred to in verses 42-44 as ‘that faithful and
wise steward,’ among various Bible Students there have been suggested four different
answers to this question over time, I’m going to add one more to the list.

Let us look closely at the five responses one at a time.

 1. That Servant stands for the entire Church, or any of its members.
 2. That Servant is the group of elders that are part of the Church.
 3. That Servant is recognized as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, especially
    in the time of Pastor C.T. Russell.
 4. That Servant is Pastor C.T. Russell, and
 5. That Servant is the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

We’re going to consider the pros and cons of each thoughts.

**VIEW 1**

The first view is that “that servant” refers to the entire church or any of its 
members. This was C.T. Russell view until 1895. It’s mentioned at least 20 times
in the Watch Tower magazines.

Here’s a quote from the Oct/Nov 1881 issue of _Zion’s Watch Tower_, page 5:

“Who then is that faithful and wise servant whom his Lord hath made ruler over his
household,” to give them meat in due season? Is it not that “little flock” of consecrated
servants who are faithfully carrying out their consecration vows – the body of Christ–
and is not the whole body individually and collectively, giving the meat in due 
season to the household of faith – the great company of believers?”

The argument supporting “That Servant” as any church member, or collectively, the
entire church, is rooted in verse 41. To grasp the strength of this argument, we
need to look back at verse 37, which states, “Blessed are those servants (plural)
whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.” Verse 38 continues, “if he 
should come in the second watch or the third.” We won’t delve into the specifics
right now, but the common interpretation suggests that if he arrives during the 
transition between the second and third watches—representing the second and third
millennia since his first advent—then those servants (plural) are blessed.

This part of the parable prompts Peter to ask, “I don’t understand, Lord. Are you
speaking to us, your apostles, or to everyone? To whom are you referring when you
mention those servants?” With the apostles present, if verses 42-44 answer Peter’s
question, the reply is essentially, “Who am I talking about? I’ll tell you: Blessed
is that servant whom the Lord finds watching.” Whichever servant is vigilant is 
blessed. The term “that servant” in this parable corresponds to the group of servants
mentioned.

If we consider this as an explanation similar to Matthew 13—where “the field is 
the world”—we relate the explanation to the parable. This is the argument presented
in the Watch Tower articles that tackle this from a collective view, asserting that“
that servant” could represent any of those who are still watching. The common objection
is that the word is singular rather than plural, suggesting this interpretation 
may not hold.

However, there is solid scriptural precedent for using a singular pronoun or noun
in this way. We see this in Revelation 2 and 3, where it states, “to him that overcomes
will I give” various rewards. It doesn’t say “to them that overcome,” but rather“
to him (singular) that overcomes.” The singular pronoun can describe anyone in the
class or group. Therefore, the fact that it uses “servant” in the singular doesn’t
inherently prove that “that servant” refers to an individual rather than a collective.

Yet, there’s a further complication in verse 42: “Who then is that faithful and 
wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household?” This raises a
more significant objection against the collective interpretation. The term for “
household” here refers not just to the home but specifically to the group of domestic
servants. This implies that the wise and faithful steward will oversee the collective
group of servants.

While verses 37-39 indicate rewards for watching servants, it’s impractical for 
all those watching to be placed in charge of everyone else, creating a scenario 
where there are all leaders with no followers. As the saying goes “too many chiefs,
not enough Indians”. This inconsistency contradicts the role of that wise and faithful
servant over their household. Thus, we believe this is a compelling argument against
the notion that “that servant” refers to the collective group or any individual 
within it.

One potential response to this objection is to broaden the definition of “household”
to encompass a “household of faith,” which includes all believers, not just the 
consecrated. The actions of the domestic servants—serving others—are typically associated
with the consecrated. In this view, there is a chief steward alongside other stewards
in the household, all engaged in a nurturing role, supporting the argument against
the interpretation of the servant as the church or any of its members.

**VIEW 2**

Now, let’s explore the second view, which suggests that the servant represents the
body of elders in the church. There are three main arguments supporting this idea.

First, in verse 42, we read: “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his
master will make ruler over his household?” This position of oversight aligns with
the role specifically assigned to elders in Acts 20:28. Let’s take a closer look
at Acts 20:28: “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy
Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased 
with His own blood.” Here, we see a clear connection between the oversight of the
household and that of the servant.

Secondly, the servant is characterized by a particular action: being a watchman.
While it’s true that all members of the church are encouraged to be vigilant, this
responsibility is especially entrusted to the elders. Hebrews 13:17 states:

“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls,
as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for 
that would be unprofitable for you.”

Lastly, in verse 42, the servant’s role involves feeding. Notably, this feeding 
pertains mainly to other servants, focusing on caring for them rather than simply
providing food. In 1 Peter 5:2-3, this duty is clearly assigned to the elders:

“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by 
constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as
being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.”

Therefore, the argument that the servant collectively represents the elders hinges
on these three actions, all of which are clearly outlined in scripture.

**THE OBJECTION:**

The objection to this view is that it risks portraying elders as a clergy class.
There is no biblical support in the New Testament for elevating the eldership above
others in the church. While they bear a responsibility for the congregation, this
does not signify an elevated status; rather, it emphasizes a heightened sense of
duty. Ultimately, the core argument against this view is that they are not a separate
clergy class.

**VIEW 3**

The servant referred to is the Watch Tower Society, particularly during the days
of Pastor C.T. Russell. One of the strongest supports for this interpretation is
that it was a phrase frequently used by Pastor Russell himself—seen in examples 
like Reprint 3811, Which is the July 15, 1906 issue and very clearly on page Reprint
4562, which is the February 1, 1910 issue, among many others. This indicates that
it’s not about an individual but rather the organization serving as the channel.
This view also simplifies the idea of extending the authority of that servant throughout
the entire period of Laodicea, avoiding the difficult question of how that authority
persists after the servant’s death. It suggests a continuity that outlasts the individual’s
life.

On the contrary, history tells a different story. The Society that nourished the
church at the onset of this period shifted to providing something less than pure
sustenance after the death of its founder, Pastor C.T. Russell. During his leadership,
he essentially embodied the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, equating the two
as one.

The third objection is that it’s quite unusual in scripture to use a personal pronoun
to refer to an organization. While there are exceptions, applying it in this way
is not common, which makes this interpretation seem somewhat weak.

**Let’s skip over VIEW 4 and examine VIEW 5, namely that …**

That Servant is the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Now we won’t get into the history of the Society’s views and explanation of “That
Servant” since the death of Russell, we’ll just fast forward to 2013, with their
current view, but before we go there, let’s go one step behind, to the previous 
view, prior to 2013, just to show how convoluted their view was.

The interpretation of this idea has become very complicated over the years. Prior
to the new understanding that came about in the year 2013, there was a belief that
a group known as the “Slave” was, in fact, a collective that provided support to
each other. For a long period, it was thought that the “Slave” and the “domestics”
as mentioned in the New World Translation were the same group. The 144,000 anointed
ones were considered to be the Slave as a whole, but simultaneously each member 
was seen as a domestic who was responsible for overseeing the entire group. In this
understanding, the faithful and discreet Slave symbolized all 144,000 together, 
while the domestics referred to each individual member in particular. This created
the idea that the 144,000 were both helping one another and receiving help in return.
It is important to note that this explanation did not really cover the rest of Jehovah’s
Witnesses or individuals outside of their belief system.

“If all the anointed as a group, no matter where on earth they live, are members
of the slave class, who are the “domestics”? They are the same anointed ones but
considered from a different viewpoint-as individuals. Yes, as individuals they would
be of the “slave” or they would be “domestics,” depending on whether they were dispensing
spiritual food or partaking of it. To illustrate: As recorded at 2 Peter 3:15, 16,
the apostle Peter makes reference to Paul’s letters. When reading them, Peter would
be as one of the domestics feeding on the spiritual food provided by Paul as a representative
of the slave class.” Watchtower 1995 May 15 p.16

The idea that is put forward seems to be confusing and not accurate. In fact, the
operations of the Watchtower are different from what is stated. The majority of 
the 144,000 do not provide guidance to the members since they do not formulate the
organization’s doctrines or rules. All decisions regarding what the members are 
taught are made by the Governing Body. Very few of the Anointed Witnesses actually
write articles for the Watchtower or create doctrines. Most articles are written
by members who are part of the Other Sheep and these articles are merely approved
by the Governing Body.

When the Watchtower mentioned following the “faithful and discreet slave,” the rank
and file of Jehovah’s Witnesses interpreted this as obeying the guidelines set by
the Governing Body because they are the only leaders of the Organization.

Okay, let’s look at the new interpretation of the “the Faithful and Discreet Slave”.
The following is taken from 2012 Annual Meetings – [https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/activities/events/annual-meeting-report-2012/](https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/activities/events/annual-meeting-report-2012/)

**When Did Jesus Appoint “the Faithful and Discreet Slave” Over His Domestics?**

Consider the context of Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter 24. All the verses listed
here were to be fulfilled during Christ’s presence,

“the conclusion of the system of things.”​—Verse 3.

“The tribulation of those days.”​—Verse 29.

“This generation.”​—Verse 34.

“That day and hour.”​—Verse 36.

The “day your Lord is coming.”​—Verse 42.

“At an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.”​—Verse 44.

Logically, then, “the faithful and discreet slave” must have appeared after Christ’s
presence began in 1914.

Moreover, Jesus indicated that this “slave” would appear during a time when a legitimate
question would be: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?” Jesus’ apostles
had miraculous gifts of holy spirit, so there was scant reason to raise that question
in the first century C.E. (1 Corinthians 14:12, 24, 25) Although they were anointed
by holy spirit, the apostles and other first-century Christians were not “the faithful
and discreet slave” prophesied by Jesus.

It is reasonable to conclude, then, that Jesus appointed “the faithful and discreet
slave” over “his domestics” during his presence, “the conclusion of the system of
things.”

**“Who Really Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?”**

Jesus was referring, not to an individual, but to a composite “slave”​—a group working
together as one body. Jesus said that the slave (1) is appointed to a supervisory
role “over [the master’s] domestics” and (2) gives the domestics spiritual “food
at the proper time.”

From 1919 on, there has always been a small group of anointed Christians at the 
world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They have supervised our worldwide preaching
work and have been directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food.
In recent years, that group has been closely identified with the Governing Body 
of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The evidence points to the following conclusion: “The faithful and discreet slave”
was appointed over Jesus’ domestics in 1919. That slave is the small, composite 
group of anointed brothers serving at world headquarters during Christ’s presence
who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food. When this 
group work together as the Governing Body, they act as “the faithful and discreet
slave.”

**Who Are the “Domestics”?**

Jesus said that “his domestics” would receive “food at the proper time.” All genuine
followers of Jesus are fed by “the faithful and discreet slave.” Therefore, all 
of Christ’s disciples—both individual anointed Christians and members of the “other
sheep”—are “his domestics.”​—John 10:16.

After the speaker explained this aspect of Jesus’ prophecy, the audience erupted
in sustained applause. Several in attendance later expressed their profound gratitude
that Jesus considers them among “his domestics.”

It’s interesting, because this was the same scenario back in 1935, when Rutherford
interpreted the Great Crowd as an earthly class, back then as documented by the 
Watchtower, there were several in attendance who later expressed their profound 
gratitude that they were among “the great crowd”, a group that would inherit paradise
earth.

**When Does Jesus Appoint the Slave “Over All His Belongings”?**

Jesus said that the “master on arriving” (literally, “having come”) will appoint
the slave “over all his belongings.” When does the Master, Jesus, arrive?

The expression translated “on arriving” is a form of the Greek word erʹkho·mai. 
Verses 42 and 44 of chapter 24 translate a form of erʹkho·mai as “coming.” In those
verses, Jesus is referring to his coming as Judge during the great tribulation.​—
Matthew 24:30; 25:31, 32.

Jesus’ appointment of the “slave” over his “belongings,” then, must also be a future
event. He will make that appointment during the great tribulation.

**What Are Jesus’ “Belongings”?**

Jesus said: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth.” (Matthew
28:18) Jesus’ “belongings” thus include more than just his earthly interests. They
include the Messianic Kingdom.​—Philippians 2:9-11.

Consequently, Jesus will reward “the faithful and discreet slave” by resurrecting
the individual members of that group to heavenly life and by giving them royal authority
over all Christ’s belongings in heaven and on earth. This is the same reward promised
to all faithful anointed Christians.​—Luke 22:28-30; Revelation 20:6.

So the argument is that Matthew 24:45-47 and Luke 12:42-44 refer not to all anointed
ones, the 144,000, nor to a group of servants, e.g. the Body of Elders, or to a 
single servant, but to a distinct class of individuals appointed by Christ, the 
Governing Body. But what does it matter if these verses apply to one servant or 
a group? The distinction is as significant as whether we view the Apostles as a 
fixed group or an expandable one. Some believe that the Lord selected twelve apostles
and intended for that number to remain unchanged. Those who hold this view see the
teachings of these twelve as God’s message and reject any teachings that conflict
with them. On the flip side, others assert that the number of apostles is not fixed
and that the Church can appoint additional apostles with equal authority. We believe
this idea is fundamentally incorrect and not supported by Scripture. The notion 
that the servant represents a group that the Church can expand is akin to claiming
that the apostles were not a fixed group chosen by the Lord, allowing for anyone
to add to their number and be considered equal in authority.

We might try to understand our Lord’s words as referring to a group of people working
together as a steward, meaning that a specific number of believers would act as 
the steward in this parable. However, this interpretation comes with some challenges.
For one, if we think of such a group in the Church, it would imply that there is
a separate class of leaders, which goes against the idea that everyone in the Church
is equal. The Church of Christ is not divided into clergy and regular members; instead,
we are all united as one in Christ, with Him as our only Master.

I mean, let’s face it, if the Slave Class was appointed in 1919, who was that group
made up of in 1919? Was it the Board of Directors, or was it the Editorial Committee
or was it simply Judge Rutherford, who essentially wrote every article, book and
booklet? If that’s the case, then Rutherford would be “that Servant”, an individual.

And, if it was Christ who appointed them in 1919, were they appointed for life, 
or until proven faithful? Who decided that they were a part of this group? Was it
a numbered class like the Apostles? Who decided to make appointments to this class
as the years went by? Did Jesus whisper in their ears, “choose him”? Or did they
like Peter and the others draw straws? After all, if you’re going to make claims
for yourselves, you should have scriptural support for everything you say and believe.
Simply saying so, doesn’t make it so. But, Witnesses are not allowed to question
the edicts of the Governing Body. Doing so is akin to questioning God and Christ.

**VIEW 4**

Let’s address the view that “That Servant” refers to an individual. I support this
view because it clearly highlights the distinction mentioned in verse 42 between
the head steward and the under steward. This distinction falls into place seamlessly.

For example. the Lord’s words clearly differentiate between his “household,” referring
to his faithful people in general, the “fellow servants” (plural), and “that servant,”(
singular) who is specifically identified as the Lord’s agent responsible for providing
truth as nourishment to both his “fellow servants” and the “household.” It is recognized
that in many Scriptures, the consecrated are addressed individually even when a 
whole class is intended. For example, in Revelation 3:21, the phrase “to him that
overcomes I will grant to sit with me in my throne” actually means “to each one 
who overcomes,” and so forth.

Concerning the passages that are under consideration, it is argued that if the terms“
household” and “fellow servants” were not included, it might not be clear if “that
servant” refers to just one individual or all faithful servants. Nevertheless, when“
that servant,” “his fellow servants,” and the “household” are all mentioned together
and in contrast, it would be an error to misinterpret the intent of the Holy Spirit
by confusing what has been distinctly marked. Additionally, it is asserted that 
applying the term “his household” to Christians who only profess belief would not
be accurate since the “meat in due season” is meant only for the Lord’s truth-seeking
and watchful people. Therefore, among this group, we need identify the “household”
that is to be fed, the “servants” who are tasked with feeding, and “that servant,”
through whom our Lord will provide nourishment to “his fellow servants” for the “
household.” This individual is thus recognized as a general steward, overseer, and
distributor of the resources belonging to the Lord.

We interpret our Lord’s words as referring to a specific steward rather than a group.
Here are key points to consider:

**No Clerical Class:** We cannot view the steward as a distinct clergy because that
contradicts the unity of the Church. All members are equal in Christ, with no separate
authority. While God may use individuals to convey messages, it does not elevate
them above others. For example, Peter used the ‘keys’ at Pentecost and with Cornelius,
but he remained a servant, not a leader over others.

**Specific Steward:** The term “faithful steward” suggests an individual rather 
than a collective group. The Greek text emphasizes a singular “faithful, wise steward.”
If it directly referred to Christ or the entire body, it would be easier to apply.
However, since this steward distributes food (truth) to the others, it points to
a specific individual.

**Role of the Steward:** This steward is not a master or dictator but rather a privileged
servant. Many may hesitate to take on this role. If the faithful steward is diligent,
they will be entrusted with more truth to share, whereas unfaithfulness would lead
to someone else taking over their responsibilities.

**Ruler Over Goods:** The phrase “He shall make him ruler over all his goods” should
not be seen as implying future glory, but rather as a broader role in managing the
truths that need to be shared. A vigilant, humble, and faithful steward will continue
to serve as the channel for Present Truth during the harvest time until it concludes.

Now, Bible Students believe that C.T. Russell filled that role of “That Servant”.
Some will argue if that Servant serves as the channel for Bible Truths during the
harvest time until it concludes, how is it that the Harvest continues, but That 
Servant has been dead for 110 years?

**Let’s look at Hebrews 11:4**

“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which
he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through
his faith, though he died, he still speaks” (ESV) 

Here, “speaks” is not a literal voice from the dead, but a **testimonial** — Abel’s
life of faith continues to bear witness to God’s righteousness and the value of 
obedience. His example is part of the “cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 12:1, urging
believers to live faithfully. This is why the Bible calls the saints of old “witnesses”—
their testimony remains active in the life of the Church.

So, the fact that Russell is dead but still alive is **not about supernatural voices
or visions**, but about the **enduring impact of his faith and teachings**. His 
writings continue to instruct, encourage, and challenge believers.

I believe Jesus made it clear that He plans to choose a special servant during His
Second Coming to give the right guidance for His followers. At the same time, He
gives people the choice to disagree with this plan and look for other options if
they want.

God didn’t reveal all the details about the end of the Age, even to His “wise and
faithful servant.” If He had revealed everything, it might have weakened the challenging
test He planned to establish once “that servant” was removed from the situation.

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