Notes on Luke 19:11-27

The One Who Saves is the One Who Will Judge - Luke 19:11-27

Jesus taught about his impending death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven. Though he would be gone from his disciples, he would be reigning as king and expected them to serve faithfully while he was gone. Jesus used the experience of Herod's son, Archelaus as the basis for his parable. After Herod died, Archelaus travelled to Rome to seek the right to rule over his father's kingdom. However, the people of that kingdom sent messengers to persuade Rome that Archelaus was a wicked man who was unfit to rule. This happened about thirty years before Jesus's began his ministry.

Luke 19:11

The following parable comes in response to those who saw Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus. The parable was given to correct misunderstandings about God's kingdom. On the one hand, the kingdom was already present in Jesus (10:9; 11:20; 16:16; 17:20-21). Yet, there was also a fullness to the kingdom's presence that was yet to come (22:29-30; 24:44-49). kingdom of God. God's saving reign (see note on 4:43).

Luke 19:12

The kingdom here is not as much physical land, but the right to rule. The nobleman gains kingly authority to rule. Moreover, this parable corresponds to Jesus himself. He journeyed through his death and resurrection to God's right hand where he received authority to reign over all things (Eph. 1:29-23; Col. 1:13-14; Heb. 1:1-3.).

Luke 19:13

minas. A mina was a Greek coin worth about one hundred drachmas. This was about three months' worth of wages for that day. Each servant was given one mina. Conduct business. In the parable, the king entrusted the minas to his servants so they can be at work about his business until he comes. He is going away, even far away, and so his return will not be soon.

Luke 19:14

Many rejected the nobleman's authority over them even as Jesus was rejected by his own people (4:24; 23:18, 23).

Luke 19:15

The servants were held accountable for their stewardship of the mina entrusted to them (v. 13). The nobleman's return signified the return of Jesus (Acts 1:10-11; Heb. 9:28; see note on v. 12).

Luke 19:16-19

For those faithful to do business for the nobleman, there was a commendation and reward of more responsibility (12:32; 22:30).

Luke 19:20-21

The final servant was unfaithful and careless with the money entrusted to him by the nobleman. He defended his lazy inactivity by criticizing the nobleman. Yet, the nobleman's actions showed him to be gracious and generous (vv. 16-19).

Luke 19:22-23

your own words . . . judge. Since the servant presumed the nobleman was a severe man (vv. 20-21), the nobleman would judge him as such a man. wicked. The servant was disobedient to his master's instructions. bank. If the servant really believed the nobleman was harsh, he should at least earned simple interest at a bank. The servant would not have had to do anything. But he would still have a financial return to present.

Luke 19:24-25

The unfaithful servant's mina was given to one of the other faithful servants. This increased his reward and responsibility (vv. 16-19). mina. See note on v. 13.

Luke 19:26

By his wrong response to the nobleman's character, the unfaithful servant revealed that he did not really serve him (see John 14:15, 21). Thus, he lost what he once had. Likewise, when Jesus returns, those who truly knew him and served will be rewarded while false disciples will be punished (6:46; Matt. 7:21-23).

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