Luke 19:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

NIV: He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.

NASB: ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.

CSB: " 'I tell you, that to everyone who has, more will be given; and from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away.

NLT: ‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

KJV: For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

NKJV: ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

The king in the parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11–27) is talking about an unfaithful servant who refused to publicly represent the king by investing the money the king entrusted him with. Jesus is talking to a crowd about the treasure He has given them—the understanding that He is the Messiah—and challenging them to invest that treasure wisely.

What will the crowd members do? Many think they do have faith, but theirs is an assumption that Jesus will march into Jerusalem and return independent rule to the Jews. But what happens to their faith when He is hanging on the cross, or dead? Even when He is resurrected and their faith is restored, what happens when He ascends to heaven (Acts 1:1–8)? Will they remain faithful to represent Him, invest the treasure of the gospel by spreading the good news, and wait patiently until His return?

Some will, for sure. Others, like the unfaithful servant, will refuse to let understanding become faith. They will fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 6:10: their blinded eyes and hardened hearts will not accept their own Messiah. These include the Pharisees who do not want to lose their influence and some of the rulers who do not want to lose the approval of the Pharisees (John 12:37–42). "For they [love] the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God" (John 12:43).

This passage is not saying someone loses their salvation if they don't evangelize. It's not saying someone can lose their faith at all. It's saying that a saving relationship with Christ means more than simply intellectually agreeing to certain facts about Him. Salvation does not come by approving the idea that Jesus is the Son of God and died to take away the sins of the world. To be saved, one must accept their need for salvation, and of Christ as their Savior. Those who resist and stop at surface-level understanding may find their understanding of Jesus slipping away.

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.