Luke 19:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.

NIV: 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.

NASB: Now while they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.

CSB: As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem, and they thought the kingdom of God was going to appear right away.

NLT: The crowd was listening to everything Jesus said. And because he was nearing Jerusalem, he told them a story to correct the impression that the Kingdom of God would begin right away.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.

This is the last story before Jesus enters Jerusalem on His way to face crucifixion. He is traveling from the east, from Jericho. He has just brought physical sight to a blind man and spiritual sight to a tax collector (Luke 18:35–43; 19:1–10). Crowds surround Him, including a great many of His disciples who think He is going to establish His kingdom and drive out the Romans. The Twelve think He is going to install them as princes.

Jesus tells the parable of the ten minas to prepare them for what's really going to happen (Luke 19:11–27). To rule the kingdom, He can't take it; He must receive it. It will take time before He returns to assume His place as King. Until then, the members of the crowd need to figure out what they believe and if they're willing to commit to that belief.

This is remarkably like the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30). In both cases, a man goes on a journey and entrusts servants with his resources. When the man returns, he rewards or punishes the servants depending on how well they served him.

Yet, there are important differences. In the parable of the talents, the servants receive different amounts of money; this represents their different abilities, time, and spiritual gifts. Here, they all receive the same amount of money, representing the one thing all Jesus' followers share equally: the gospel. Another difference is that in this parable, the servants face resistance (Luke 19:14). There's a faction within the land that does not want the nobleman to return as king. This isn't just an issue of faithfulness, stewardship, and responsibility. The servants will have to keep a great deal of loyalty to continue to publicly serve a master who is so opposed.

Luke 19:11–27 is the final passage of a series of stories about the kingdom of God. In a parable, Jesus explains that He cannot take the kingdom now; He must leave to receive it. His followers will be those who have understanding about His kingship: the gospel. Those who faithfully spread that message will be greatly rewarded. Those who plot against Him will be destroyed. This parable is about responsibility with the gospel; the similar parable of the talents is about responsibility with resources like time and spiritual gifts (Matthew 25:14–30). Next comes the triumphal entry (Luke 19:28–44).

Jesus approaches Jerusalem by way of Jericho. Along the road, he encounters Zacchaeus: an unusually short man and infamous tax collector. Zacchaeus responds to Jesus' invitation and demonstrates humility and repentance. Jesus gives a parable explaining a believer's obligation to encourage the spread of the gospel. Jesus enters Jerusalem to great fanfare, upsetting local Pharisees. As He rides, Jesus weeps to think of the future destruction in store for the city. He once again drives corrupt businessmen from the temple grounds. His enemies are furious, but too afraid of the adoring crowds to take direct action.

Luke 19 finishes the "travelogue of Christ to Jerusalem" and introduces His first actions there (Luke 9:51—19:27). This long passage semi-chronologically records Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and the theological reasons why He must go to the cross. It finishes here, in this chapter, with Jesus meeting Zacchaeus and the parable of the ten minas. The chapter continues with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem as its king—the triumphal entry. Jesus mourns over Jerusalem, its rejection of their Messiah, and its coming destruction in AD 70. He also cleanses the temple and teaches there. In the next segments, Luke covers the last hours of Jesus' earthly life (Luke 22—23) as well as Jesus' resurrection (Luke 24).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.