Luke 19:11-27

Luke 19:11-27

[11] And  as they  heard  he added  and spake  a parable,  because  he  nigh  to Jerusalem,  and  because they  thought  that  the kingdom  of God  should  immediately  appear.  [12] He said  therefore,  A certain  nobleman  went  into  country  to receive  for himself  a kingdom,  and  to return.  [13] And  he called  his  ten  servants,  and delivered  them  ten  pounds,  and  said  unto  them,  Occupy  I come.  [14] But  his  citizens  hated  him,  and  sent  a message  after  him,  saying,  not  have  man to reign  over  [15] And  it came to pass,  that when  he  was returned,  having received  the kingdom,  then  he commanded  servants  to be called  unto him,  to whom  he had given  the money,  that  he might know  how much  had gained by trading.  [16] Then  came  the first,  saying,  Lord,  pound  hath gained  ten  pounds.  [17] And  he said  unto him,  Well,  thou good  servant:  because  thou hast been  faithful  in  a very little,  have  over  ten  cities.  [18] And  the second  came,  saying,  Lord,  pound  hath gained  five  pounds.  [19] And  he said  likewise  Be  thou  also  over  five  cities.  [20] And  another  came,  saying,  Lord,  behold,  pound,  which  I have  kept laid up  in  a napkin:  [21] For  I feared  because  an austere  man:  thou takest up  that  not  down,  and  reapest  that  not  sow.  [22] he saith  unto him,  Out of  mouth  will I judge  thou wicked  servant.  Thou knewest  that  was  an austere  man,  taking up  that  not  down,  and  reaping  that  not  sow:  [23] then  not  thou  money  into  the bank,  that  at my coming  might  have required  mine own  with  usury?  [24] And  he said  unto them that stood by,  Take  from  him  the pound,  and  give  it to him that hath  ten  pounds.  [25] (And  they said  unto him,  Lord,  he hath  ten  pounds.)  [26] I say  That  unto every one  which  hath  shall be given;  and  from  him that hath  not,  even  that  he hath  shall be taken away  from  [27] But  enemies,  which  would  not  should reign  over  them,  bring  hither,  and  slay  them before 

What does Luke 19:11-27 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This parable serves in Luke"s narrative as a conclusion to the section on salvation"s recipients ( Luke 18:9 to Luke 19:27). It provides something of a denouement (i.e, a final unraveling of the plot) following the excellent example of Zaccheus" faith and the summary statement describing Jesus" ministry. In this teaching to the people who were observing his meal with the tax collector, Jesus taught several important lessons. He repeated His coming rejection and future return, and He clarified the time when the kingdom would appear. He also explained the duty of His disciples during His absence from the earth. Both the nation of Israel and the disciples had duties to Jesus. This parable summarizes Jesus" teaching on this subject.
The parable also prepared the people for the postponement of the kingdom. Most of the people who believed on Him expected it to arrive when Jesus reached Jerusalem. This teaching should have dispelled those hopes.
This parable is similar to the parable of the talents that Jesus gave later in the Olivet Discourse ( Matthew 25:14-30). However that one lacks the emphasis on the rejection of Jesus that was appropriate for the mixed audience that Jesus addressed in Zaccheus" house ( Luke 19:27).