This is exactly what I’m talking about when I say there are textual oddities in the Gospels. This play’s parable about a man who goes out to a party and charges his servants to wait up for his return might seem perfectly unremarkable if all you’re doing is drawing generic spiritual lessons from it, but as soon as you try looking closely at the actual text, problems begin to arise. I have the disciples debate these problems ad infinitum (but hopefully not ad nauseam) until Jesus appears at the end to…resolve the debate? clear up the confusion? No, to sidestep the argument entirely and call them instead (as is his wont) to faithfulness and vigilance.