Luke 12:41

Peter's Comment (12:41).

Peter may well have heard the mutterings in the crowd as different interpretations were suggested, and have recognised that the crowds did not really have the background (which the disciples had) in order to understand the parable. Perhaps that was what Peter was trying to clarify. Who was intended to benefit by it? Or perhaps his desire to be the greatest was showing through. Were Jesus promises only for the faithful few? Or perhaps he was puzzled as to how the return of their beloved Lord could be seen as a catastrophe by any true disciple.

‘And Peter said, “Lord, do you speak this parable to us, or even to all?” '

Peter clearly recognised that not all the crowd could be expected to understand the parable as he understood it. So he asks Jesus whether it is a parable for the inner circle or for all. Depending on that will depend its meaning for them. He had not yet caught on to the fact that parables contained a number of meanings, and each one who heard it gathered from it that of which he or she was capable.

This was the beauty of parables. All would learn, depending on the stage that they had reached, some one thing and some another. But for Jesus Himself, Who knew the deeper significance that lay behind them, the parables were richer far than for anyone else, even the disciples, for He knew the very essence of them, and the many applications that they could have.

Jesus does not answer his question directly but replies with another parable which this time deals with an individual, but then ends up more generally. Peter can then apply it to himself if he wishes, as may any other of the disciples. For in the end it is for all who will listen. Yet it is certainly a warning to Peter to ensure that in the future he does not go astray in his responsibilities as an Apostle, as indeed once or twice he nearly did, and might have totally had Jesus not prayed for him (Luke 22:31; Galatians 2:11).