“When
he had come back again, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by conducting business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.’ “He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ “The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, Lord, has made five minas.’ “So he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Another came, saying, ‘Lord, behold, your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief, for I feared you, because you are an exacting man. You take up that which you didn’t lay down, and reap that which you didn’t sow.’
Luke 19:15-21
Luke 19 [11.] As they heard these things, he went on and told a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that God’s Kingdom would be revealed immediately. He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. He called ten servants of his, and gave them ten mina coins, and told them, ‘Conduct business until I come.’ But his citizens hated him, and sent an envoy after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to reign over us.’
Luke 19 [15.] “When he had come back again, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by conducting business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.’
Luke 19 [17.] “He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
Luke 19 [18.] “The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, Lord, has made five minas.’
Luke 19 [19.] “So he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Another came, saying, ‘Lord, behold, your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief, for I feared you, because you are an exacting man. You take up that which you didn’t lay down, and reap that which you didn’t sow.’
Luke 19 [22.] “He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am an exacting man, taking up that which I didn’t lay down, and reaping that which I didn’t sow. Then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank, and at my coming, I might have earned interest on it?’ He said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina away from him, and give it to him who has the ten minas.’
Meaning:
In the parable of the minas a nobleman went to a far country to receive a kingdom. Before leaving he gave each of ten servants one mina and told them, “Conduct business until I come,” while his citizens sent word that they did not want him to reign over them (Luke 19:11-14). These verses describe his return and the beginning of the reckoning with his servants. Matthew records a similar parable of talents (Matthew 25:19-21).
- “When he had come back again, having received the kingdom”
The nobleman did return, now as king. Jesus is teaching that he too will come back with full royal authority. The first thing the king does is call his servants to account, “that he might know what they had gained by conducting business.” Every servant is answerable to the master for what was entrusted to him. Jesus had already taught, “To whomever much is given, of him will much be required” (Luke 12:48).
- “Lord, your mina has made ten more minas”
The first servant does not boast of his skill. He says “your mina” has made ten more. What he achieved came from what his master had given. Faithful service in the Kingdom always begins with God’s gift and depends on his grace.
- “Well done, you good servant!”
The king’s praise is warm and personal. The king says, “Because you were found faithful with very little,” and the servant receives authority over ten cities. Compared with a kingdom, a mina was very little, yet faithfulness in small things is rewarded with great responsibility. Jesus said elsewhere, “He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). The reward for faithful service is more service, a share in the King’s rule. Paul writes, “If we endure, we will also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12).
- “Your mina, Lord, has made five minas”
The second servant gained less, and he receives authority over five cities. The reward is in proportion to the faithfulness shown. Interestingly the king does not repeat “Well done” here, but he still entrusts the servant with real authority. Each servant is judged by what he did with the same gift.
- “Your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief”
The third servant did nothing. He wrapped the money in a cloth, a careless way of keeping it, and gave a reason: “for I feared you, because you are an exacting man.” His view of the master was harsh and his fear made him idle. The following verses show the king’s answer (Luke 19:22-28; compare Matthew 25:24-25).
The Significance of Luke 19:15-21
- Small things matter
Most of life is made up of ordinary opportunities to serve, give, speak and pray. Jesus says faithfulness in these small things is noticed and rewarded. Paul urges believers to be “always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
- How we see the Master
The idle servant’s problem began with a wrong picture of his lord. Those who know the King as generous and good are set free to work for him with joy.
Cross-References:
Matthew 25:21: "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things." The parallel in the parable of the talents.
Luke 16:10: "He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much." Faithfulness in small things.
Colossians 3:23-24: "And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men" Serving the Lord who rewards.
Conclusion: When the nobleman returned as king he called his servants to account. The servant who had gained ten minas and the one who had gained five were rewarded with authority over cities, because they had been faithful with very little. The third servant, who hid his mina out of fear, shows the danger of idleness while the King is away.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible