Slaves and Slavery in the Matthean Parables

Abstract

An inscription from Puteoli details the job description of a manceps, a public official whose duties included torturing and even executing slaves on demand. Private citizens could hire the manceps to conduct the desired torture of their slaves; the manceps would supply the necessary equipment, sparing slave owners the burden of accruing hardware of that kind themselves.1 Would a first-century Galilean have been aware that such an apparatus of terror supported the slave system? In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells the parable of the unmerciful slave to emphasize to his hearers the harsh treatment they may expect from their heavenly father if they fail to extend forgiveness to others (Matt 18:23-35). In the parable's denouement the master turns the unmerciful slave over to the torturers (toiS jpaoavitoai;) until he repays the funds he owes his master (Matt 18:34). Jesus does not specify whether these torturers are public officials or part of the master's retinue;2 since the master is himself a king, perhaps they are both. In either case, Jesus assumes that those who hear him are familiar with the idea that slave owners who want to punish their slaves can call on the services of torturers, like the manceps of Puteoli. Slaves and slavery are ubiquitous in writings from the ancient Mediterranean world; the image of the slave awaiting or lamenting punishment is a convention, even a cliche. Not surprisingly, then, allusions to slaves and masters are