What does Luke 19:14 mean?

Jesus is telling the parable of the ten minas to prepare a crowd for His absence between His ascension and His second coming (Luke 19:11–27). He compares Himself to a nobleman who must go away to be granted kingship of the territory. The nobleman entrusts ten servants with one mina each and charges them to invest it well in his name. Then he leaves.

Unlike the similar parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), this nobleman is opposed. There are many who do not want him to be king. His enemies send a delegation to try to convince the emperor. Their plan doesn't work. The nobleman is installed as king, and when he returns, the rebellious ones are executed for treason.

In the same way, when Jesus returns to earth and the kingdom of God is fulfilled, those who rebelled against Him will have to bow their knee and confess He is Lord before they will get their wish and be removed from His presence forever (Philippians 2:9–11; Revelation 20:11–15).

The practice of appealing to a high authority about an unwanted ruler was common at the time. When Herod the Great died, his son Archelaus was meant to be king. Fifty Jews traveled to Caesar Augustus and convinced him to moderate Archelaus' power. Instead of "king," he became an "ethnarch." After the time of Jesus, Pilate faced a similar problem. Because of his intense cruelty, Samaritans protested his appointment as governor of Syria. Pilate was called to Rome and possibly exiled to France.