'Master' in the Bible
A disciple is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master.
It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. If they called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more the members of his household!
The landowner’s slaves came to him and said, ‘Master, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?’
Since he had no way to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt.
Then the master of that slave had compassion, released him, and forgave him the loan.
When the other slaves saw what had taken place, they were deeply distressed and went and reported to their master everything that had happened.
“Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed.
And do not be called masters either, because you have one Master, the Messiah.
“Who then is a faithful and sensible slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give them food at the proper time?
That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded.
But if that wicked slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delayed,’
that slave’s master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know.
“Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’
“After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.
The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I’ve earned five more talents.’
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’
“Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I’ve earned two more talents.’
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!’
“Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, ‘Master, I know you. You’re a difficult man, reaping where you haven’t sown and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed.
“But his master replied to him, ‘You evil, lazy slave! If you knew that I reap where I haven’t sown and gather where I haven’t scattered,
Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning.
Now, Master,You can dismiss Your slave in peace,as You promised.
“Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing! But at Your word, I’ll let down the nets.”
They came and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die!” Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm.
“Who touched Me?” Jesus asked.When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You.”
As the two men were departing from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it’s good for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
John responded, “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.”
You must be like people waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.
Those slaves the master will find alert when he comes will be blessed. I assure you: He will get ready, have them recline at the table, then come and serve them.
The Lord said: “Who then is the faithful and sensible manager his master will put in charge of his household servants to give them their allotted food at the proper time?
That slave whose master finds him working when he comes will be rewarded.
But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and starts to beat the male and female slaves, and to eat and drink and get drunk,
that slave’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.
“So the slave came back and reported these things to his master. Then in anger, the master of the house told his slave, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame!’
“‘Master,’ the slave said, ‘what you ordered has been done, and there’s still room.’
“Then the master told the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and lanes and make them come in, so that my house may be filled.
“Then the manager said to himself, ‘What should I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I’m not strong enough to dig; I’m ashamed to beg.
“So he summoned each one of his master’s debtors. ‘How much do you owe my master?’ he asked the first one.
“The master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted astutely. For the sons of this age are more astute than the sons of light in dealing with their own people.
and raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned 10 more minas.’
“The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’
“And another came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina. I have kept it hidden away in a cloth
“I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.
I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.
Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours.
When they heard this, they all raised their voices to God and said, “Master, You are the One who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them.
And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.
Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.
So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.
For some men, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into promiscuity and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.