The Shrewd Manager — Preparatory Notes
1. Three quotes to guide our study:
a) "This parable has always presented difficulties for the interpreter, and like most of such difficulties they arise from trying to press the details of the story instead of seeking for the main point" (T V Manson)
b) "For we must remember that every parable contains details which are not intended to convey any lesson, although necessary to complete the picture, or to impress it upon the memory." (Plummer)
c) "In this parable there are several subordinate details which should not be explained allegorically. Thus the rich man has no special significance as though he represents the Lord or Mammon or someone else." (Geldenhuys)
(Note: in an allegory each item has a symbolic significance. Despite the fact that dictionaries sometimes give "allegory" as one of the meanings of the word "parable", in the New Testament no parable is ever an allegory.)
2. It can be helpful to note that structure of the passage:
First: Verses 1 — 8 (a) The Parable
Second Verses 8 (b) and 9 Summing up and Exhortation of Jesus
Third Verses 10 — 13 Collection of teachings of Jesus.
3. Remember St Luke did not personally witness our Lord teaching. He recorded an account of the Gospel under the guidance of the Holy Spirit by collecting the oral teaching passed down from the Lord to the Apostles (and in this case, particularly St Paul). Since he is assembling material in a written document to best present our Lord's teaching, he therefore does not necessarily repeat in full, the elaboration Jesus may give on a certain point, if it has already been expounded elsewhere. Thus after a surprising, if not stunning, story in verses 1 — 8 (a), we might expect a much more detailed explanation whereas we are given only a condensed but very rich comment (Verses 8 (b) and 9). This is then followed by other statements our Lord has made (perhaps at other times) supporting this very theme. Underlying the issue of personal wealth is the desire of Jesus to challenge the self-preserving attitude of some of the authorities who considered him a growing danger. This comes out into the open in our reflection on the next week's reading.
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