‘Cut in two’, Part 2: Reconsidering the redaction of Q 12:42−46

In his influential 1987 monograph, Kloppenborg identified three layers in the Sayings Gospel Q: the ‘formative stratum’ (or Q¹), the ‘main redaction’ (or Q²), and the ‘final recension’ (or Q³). He ascribed the cluster of sayings in Q 12:39-59 to the main redaction. Within this cluster appears the parable of the loyal and wise slave (Q 12:42-46). In my view, some portions of this parable actually originate with the formative stratum. The aim of the current article is to reconsider the redactional make-up of this parable by appealing to Kloppenborg’s own criteria for distinguishing between Q¹ and Q², including those of ‘characteristic forms’, ‘characteristic motifs’ and ‘implied audience’.