Luke 19:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’

NIV: "The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’

NASB: The second one came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’

CSB: "The second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’

NLT: The next servant reported, ‘Master, I invested your money and made five times the original amount.’

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

NKJV: And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’

Jesus and a crowd of disciples are approaching Jerusalem for the Passover. He has spent a significant amount of time talking about the kingdom of God, how it has already come, and the place His disciples have in it. Right now, they're headed to Jerusalem. The people think He is about to do something grand, like drive out the Romans. They don't know He is marching to His death. Even after His resurrection, He will not claim the kingdom as they expect; He will return to His Father for a time. There's going to be a wait, and they need to be ready.

So, He tells them the parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11–27). A nobleman gives ten servants the same amount of money. Then he leaves to be crowned king. When he returns, he calls on the servants to report how they have invested the money and what profit they have made.

The first servant is wildly successful. He took his one mina and made ten more. As a reward, the king gives him authority over ten cities. The second servant did very well, also. He made five more. Despite being less than the first servant, it's still an incredible feat. The king gives him authority over five cities.

Each servant received the same amount—the same treasure. Each member of the crowd has also received the same treasure. They've seen or heard of Jesus healing the blind (Luke 18:35–43) and restoring the sinner (Luke 19:1–10). They've heard Him teach. Soon, they will hear of His resurrection. All these are proof that He is the Messiah come to reconcile them to God. They need to accept that truth and spread the good news. When He returns, He will reward each person according to that person's faithfulness (1 Corinthians 3:10–15).

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.