Luke 19:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’

NIV: "The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’

NASB: The first slave appeared, saying, ‘ Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’

CSB: The first came forward and said, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten more minas.’

NLT: The first servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!’

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

NKJV: Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’

A nobleman has had to leave his land to go to his sovereign and be crowned king. Before he left, he entrusted ten servants with one mina each, telling them to invest it wisely and make a profit. He has returned and calls his servants to report what they have accomplished (Luke 19:12–15).

The first servant made a ten-fold return on his investment. This is a significant accomplishment since many in the kingdom do not support the new king (Luke 19:14). Because of the servant's faithfulness with the little he was given, the king grants him ten cities to rule (Luke 19:17).

In the parable of the ten minas, Jesus is explaining to a crowd that even though they are approaching Jerusalem, and even though He has been talking about the presence of the kingdom of God, He is not coming to take His kingdom, yet. He isn't even crowned, yet. He can't take the kingdom. First, He must carry the weight of the world's sins on His shoulders as He is nailed to a cross. Then, He will go away and be crowned.

Until then, the people need to be responsible with the precious treasure they've been given: strong evidence that Jesus is their Messiah. Once He rises from the dead, that evidence will be proof. After His ascension and before His return, they need to be responsible with that information. They need to "invest" it by telling others and growing Jesus' kingdom. Those who do will be handsomely rewarded. Those who don't, who hide the treasure, prove they do not accept Him as their King.

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.