Luke 19

And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.

And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.

And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.

And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.

And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.

And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?

And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.

And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;

Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,

And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.

What does Luke 19:15 mean?

Explanation

Luke 19:15 speaks of a nobleman who, after receiving authority to rule as king, returns to settle accounts with his servants to whom he had entrusted money (referred to as "minas" in the scriptures).

This verse is part of a parable told by Jesus, often called the Parable of the Ten Minas.

In a literal sense, the master is calling for a report of the financial dealings and the profit each servant has made with the resources allocated to them.

Symbolically, the verse suggests a deeper meaning related to stewardship and accountability.

It represents Jesus as the nobleman who will one day return to assess how individuals have used the gifts and opportunities given to them.

The returning king asking for an account symbolizes the ultimate judgment where all are held accountable for their actions and their use of God's gifts.

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Historical Context

The Parable of the Ten Minas was told by Jesus during His journey towards Jerusalem, where he would eventually be crucified.

The historical setting for Luke 19:15 is important because it takes place near the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry and may reflect the anticipation of His disciples for an imminent kingdom.

The parable addresses mistaken beliefs about the nature and timing of God's kingdom.

Culturally, Jesus' audience would have understood the context of a nobleman leaving to receive a kingdom because it reflected historical events where local rulers would go to Rome to be appointed kings before returning to their territories.

Theological Insights

Different Christian traditions view this verse and the surrounding parable through various perspectives:

Traditional Evangelicals may interpret this parable as an illustration of individual responsibility in the Christian life, focusing on personal relationships with Jesus and serving Him with the resources He provides.
Mainline Protestants might emphasize social justice and community aspects, interpreting the faithful use of resources in a way that benefits others.
Catholic teaching may incorporate this parable into its understanding of "faithful stewardship," which involves effective use of one's talents and resources in service to God and the Church.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in daily life by encouraging personal accountability for one's actions and the resources entrusted to them.

Practical steps include:

Using talents and gifts to serve others and further God’s work.
Understanding the importance of being responsible and diligent in both spiritual and material matters.
Preparing for eventual accountability in one’s personal and communal life.

Cross-References

Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents, which has a similar theme of entrusting servants with money and expecting returns on the investment.
Romans 14:12 - "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
1 Corinthians 4:2 - "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

Language Study

The key words in this verse in the original Greek are:

"Returned" (ἐπανέρχομαι, epanerchomai): to come back or return.
"Kingdom" (βασιλεία, basileia): often referring to sovereign rule and dominion; in a theological sense, the reign or realm of God.
"Commanded" (διατάσσω, diatasso): to order, arrange, or prescribe.
"Servants" (δοῦλος, doulos): in this context, it often refers to bond-servants or subjects of a master.
"Money" (αργύριον, argyrion): typically used for silver or money in general.
"Trading" (πραγματεύομαι, pragmateuomai): to engage in business, to trade, or to make a gain.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient times, many cultures had stories about rulers who entrusted their servants with wealth or tasks, expecting them to be productive. Similar parables exist in other religious texts wherein the ethical use of resources and accountability is emphasized.

In Judaism, parables (mashal) were and are used to illuminate moral and spiritual principles, a tradition that Jesus was very much a part of.

In other religions, such as Islam, there are also teachings that stress stewardship (khilafah) and being accountable to Allah for one's actions and resources.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, it does raise questions around the psychology of responsibility and accountability.

Modern psychology studies human behavior in relation to resource management and decision-making, areas that are indirectly related to the themes of the parable.

Commentaries

Various Bible scholars and theologians offer interpretations of Luke 19:15:

William Barclay notes that the parable teaches that Jesus gives his followers tasks suited to their abilities and expects them to fulfill their tasks while he is away.
John Calvin interprets the nobleman's departure and return as an analogy to Christ's ascension and second coming, with an emphasis on the duty of Christ's followers to increase the gifts given to them.
Matthew Henry's commentary emphasizes that the Lord expects us to make the best use of the gifts he has bestowed upon us, not for our own selfish gains but for the glory of God and the benefit of others.

Luke 19

Luke 19

What does Luke 19:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 19:15 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?