Introduction
‘While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.’ Luke 19:11
A few commentators suggest that this parable is Luke’s version of the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-30, however, although there are some similarities, they are different. First of all, they are spoken in different places, this one is spoken in Jericho while the other is spoken in Jerusalem, one involves only servants, this one involves also hostile subjects, one has three servants, this one has ten servants, there are also different amounts of money and different applications.
We must remember that this parable is part of Jesus’ discussion at Jericho where he specifically spoke of His mission on earth. As he gets closer to Jerusalem, the disciples are thinking about what they assumed would soon happen, that is the coming of the Kingdom of God.
Many people believed that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, but they didn’t understand the nature of His kingdom and the purpose behind it. and so, Jesus who is coming near the end of His ministry teaches a parable to help clear up any misconceptions, Luke 19:11.
The King
‘He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.’ Luke 19:12
Robertson’s Word Pictures, says the folowing.
‘Apparently this parable has the historical basis of Archelaus who actually went from Jerusalem to Rome on this very errand to get a kingdom in Palestine and to come back to it. This happened while Jesus was a boy in Nazareth and it was a matter of common knowledge.’
Expositor’s Bible Commentary, says the folowing.
‘The historical background for the parable was the visit of Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, to Rome to secure permission to reign as a so-called client king, i.e., over a territory actually subject to Rome. This petition was opposed by a delegation of Archelaus’ own subjects.’
The nobleman represents Jesus, the Messiah, Luke 19:12. He meets the credentials of a king and He is worthy to be king. But His kingship will not begin here where He is. He travels to a distant country far away to receive His crown and begin His reign, to have himself appointed king, Luke 19:12 / Philippians 2:8-9 / Hebrews 1:3 / Hebrews 1:8-9.
This was pointing out to the disciples that Jesus would not immediately establish His kingdom during the coming Passover at Jerusalem. Later in the upper room discourse, the disciples were perplexed and sorrowful when Jesus spoke to them about going away, John 16.
Where was this ‘distant country’? Luke 19:12. Was it the grave, at His death, or heaven at His ascension after His resurrection? The best understanding points to His ascension to the Father as the time He would receive the Kingdom, Daniel 7:13-14 / Matthew 28:18-20 / Acts 2 / Ephesians 1:19-21.
Jesus’ parable pointed forward to fifty days after His death at the Passover, on the Day of Pentecost, when the church or kingdom of God began through the coming of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of the authority of Christ, after His resurrection, Acts 1:3-8.
The Servants
‘So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ Luke 19:13
In preparation for His reception of His kingdom, the nobleman entrusts his ten servants with the responsibility to do business on His behalf, Luke 19:13. His journey to the distant country provides an opportunity for His servants to show their faithfulness and loyalty to Him.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, says the folowing.
‘A mina was a Greek coin worth 100 drachmas or slightly more than three months wages’.
For them, the issue is one of stewardship and responsibility. While the master wanted them to make money with what he provided, the amount of money is insignificant in this parable. All received the same relatively small amount. The question was whether each would faithfully work and submit to His authority, Luke 19:13. Therefore the authority of the King is in view. Some servants will be faithful, but not all are willing.
The Rebellious Subjects
‘But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ Luke 19:14
Some other subjects hated the nobleman, Luke 19:14. They went as far as sending a delegation to denounce His authority over them, and attempt to sabotage His reign, Luke 19:14. But the enemies of this King would have no such success. David prophesied of the Christ, Psalm 69:4. Jesus warned His disciples that they would be hated because He was hated. Later in the parable of the wedding feast, Jesus spoke of those who treated the servants of the king spitefully and killed them, Matthew 22:6.
Jesus was clearly pointing out that His authority would be rejected. But the hatred and rejection would not preclude His reigning over them. Notice that he returns in Luke 19:15, ‘having received the kingdom’. His kingship wasn’t postponed because of their rejection.
Rather, the accountability He established with His subjects before He left was still intact, and when He returned He came to exercise judgment. They rejected the chief cornerstone, Psalm 118:22, they rejected the very one who came for them, John 1:11-13.
The Judgment
‘He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’” Luke 19:15-27
With business complete and successful, the king now wants to know how much money his servants gained from the money he have them, Luke 19:15. The authority of this king would be exhibited in His willingness and ability to judge His servants. There would be an accounting which is proof that He was in charge. Those servants who are responsible and use what they are entrusted with, are rewarded.
Those who are faithful in little are given power over much, from ten minas to the rulership of ten cities, Luke 19:16-17. From five minas to the rulership of five cities, Luke 16:18-19.
Then another servant came and returns the mina that had been kept in a handkerchief, Luke 19:20. Because of fear, he did nothing and note that he uses wording that implied the king was a harsh and unreasonable man collecting what he had not actually earned, Luke 19:21.
Notice that the king calls this servant wicked because of his failure to do what he was supposed to do, and his accusations against the king, Luke 19:22. The king then judged the servant by his own words and so the king would treat him as harshly as he was accused, Luke 19:22.
Whether he was actually harsh or not is irrelevant. Notice how this king was gracious to those who had been faithful in their service.
He is rebuked because he didn’t even put the money in a bank where it could at least have gained interest, Luke 19:23.
The king tells those standing by to take the mina away from wicked servant and give to the one who had ten minas, Luke 19:24. Those standing by don’t seem to understand, because the one with the ten minas had already received so much, Luke 18:25.
But then the story turns back to those subjects who tried to sabotage His kingdom and hated Him, His enemies, Luke 19:27. The King has them destroyed, Luke 19:27. There is an accounting for those who reject the King. Jesus’ words may have been a prophetic pointer to the coming destruction of the city of Jerusalem as God’s punishment of the Jewish nation for the rejection of their Messiah.
The Bible Hub, says the following.
1. Stewardship and Accountability.
The parable emphasizes the responsibility of believers to use the resources and opportunities God has entrusted to them. Faithfulness in small matters is rewarded with greater responsibilities in the Kingdom of God.
2. The Nature of the Kingdom.
Jesus uses the parable to correct the expectation of an immediate, earthly kingdom. The nobleman’s journey to a distant country symbolizes Christ’s ascension and the period before His return, during which His followers are to be active and diligent.
3. Judgment and Reward.
The parable illustrates the principle of divine judgment and reward. Faithful servants are rewarded with greater authority, while unfaithful servants face loss. The severe fate of the nobleman’s enemies underscores the seriousness of rejecting Christ’s lordship.
4. Grace and Responsibility.
While salvation is by grace, the parable highlights the believer’s responsibility to live out their faith actively. The rewards are not for salvation but for faithfulness in service.