Luke 19:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’

NIV: I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'

NASB: for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.’

CSB: because I was afraid of you since you're a harsh man: you collect what you didn't deposit and reap what you didn't sow.'

NLT: I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’

KJV: 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.

NKJV: For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’

The third servant is feebly attempting to defend his actions. His master had given him and nine other servants one mina each, the amount of money a laborer would earn in four months, telling them to invest it wisely and be sure to make a profit. Then the master went away on a long trip. When the master returned, he had been crowned king. He called his servants and asked how they had done with their commission. The first servant had taken one mina and earned nine more. The second had earned four more. They were both rewarded with cities to rule (Luke 19:11–20).

The third servant had been too afraid to try. He hid the money in a piece of cloth. He knew his master made money with ease and dealt with people severely. The servant thought it best not to even try; what if he lost everything? He apparently decided it would be better not to fail than to try for success.

Jesus is telling the crowd the parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11–27) for two reasons. First, even though they are traveling to Jerusalem, that doesn't mean Jesus is about to be crowned King of the Jews. He is not going to drive out the Romans or give the Jews an independent nation at that time. In fact, He is going to go away and won't return for some time.

Second, they have a job to do while He is gone. They each receive the same treasure: miracles of healing, expelled demons, and inspired teaching that give strong evidence He is the Messiah. Soon, He will die and be raised again, giving proof that He is their King. They need to take that "mina" and invest it: spread it around so more people know. They need to build His kingdom.

But the third servant is too afraid of losing what he had.

Many Jewish religious leaders in Jesus' era were in a similar situation. They listen to Jesus and hear stories of what He has done. They know He is from God (John 3:1–2), but they will not admit it or teach it. They are too afraid of the Pharisees and others who do not want Jesus to be king (Luke 19:14) "for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God" (John 12:43).

The servant believed his master was going to be made king, but he couldn't accept him as his king. So even what he had was taken away (Luke 19:24).

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.