Luke 19:11-27

Butler's Comments

SECTION 2

Persistence (Luke 19:11-27)

11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.12He said therefore, A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. 13Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, -Trade with these till I come.-' 14But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, -We do not want this man to reign over us.-' 15When he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. 16The first came before him, saying, -Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more-' 17And he said to him, -Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.-' 18And the second came, saying, -Lord, your pound has made five pounds.-' 19And he said to him, -And you are to be over five cities.-' 20Then another came, saying, -Lord, here is your pound, which I kept laid away in a napkin; 21for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.-' 22He said to him, -I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest?-' 24And he said to those who stood by, -Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.-' 25(And they said to him, -Lord, he has ten pounds!-') 26-I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.-'

Luke 19:11-19 Faithful: As the multitudes in Jericho heard Jesus talking to Zacchaeus about being a son of Abraham, about salvation having come to his house that very day, about seeking the lost, they must have expressed some excited anticipation of an immediate messianic kingdom. They probably were talking among themselves that when Jesus got to Jerusalem, He would begin the proceedings of establishing an earthly kingdom much like Jewish tradition pictured it then. Jesus immediately told a parable to squelch that false concept. There are three things Jesus intends to teach in this parable: (a) He is going away to receive His kingly inheritance, but He is going without having brought His kingdom to the earth in its full, glorious and final manifestation; (b) in the meantime, those who wish to come under His rule must be faithful in keeping the instructions He left behind; (c) and, finally, He will return in all His magnificent authority to call all men to account for their attitudes and actions toward His kingship. There is a teaching on rewards for faithfulness, but that is coincidental. The main objective is to say, I go to Jerusalem to do the Father's will, but my disciples will be disappointed because my kingdom does not come in earthly glory immediatelyand my enemies will be encouraged to think they have rid themselves of My rule. Jesus says, essentially, But, I want you to know, in spite of My death My kingdom will come and the faithful shall be rewarded, while the rebellious will be judged and punished. Be faithful, Jesus says, use what you are given to the king's advantagerewards will certainly come when the king finally returns. Now the church Jesus established on the day of Pentecost, in Acts 2:1-47, is the kingdom (cf. Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 12:28; Acts 8:12; Romans 14:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; Matthew 16:18-19, etc.), but it is the kingdom functioning while the King is away temporarily, anticipating His imminent return to consummate and manifest His kingly glory when He shares His inheritance with His citizens and banishes His enemies. Make no mistake about it, Jesus is now king, and His kingdom has (past tense) been established in fact. All who believe and obey Him become, in fact, citizens of His kingdom.

Some commentators believe Jesus referred vaguely to an incident in the political life of that country some 27 years earlier. Archelaus, son of Herod the Great had received the tetrarchy of Judea, Samaria and Idumea upon the death of his father in 4 B.C. But he was not satisfied with that. Leaving his palace in Jericho in 6 A.D., he journeyed to Rome to ask that he be declared king of the Jews, as his father had been titled. When he went to Rome he left a man, Philippus, in charge with funds to apply to the maintenance of his kingdom while he was gone. But after he left for Rome, a disgruntled party of Jews sent a special deputation from his kingdom to inform the emperor of Rome, in no uncertain terms, that they did not wish Archelaus to rule over them. This may be so. But what Jesus says in this parable is going to come to pass just as He told it. The story of Archelaus has a different ending. Archelaus was deposed and lost his kingdom altogether. Jesus will not lose His!

Do not confuse this parable with the Parable of The Talents (Matthew 25:1-46). They are not the same. Note the following differences:

Parable of Pounds

Parable of Talents

1.

Spoken publicly

1.

Spoken privately to the apostles

2.

Approaching Jerusalem

2.

Two days after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem

3.

A Nobleman goes to a far country

3.

A man goes on a journey to receive a crown

4.

Pounds are given to 10 men equally.

4.

Talents are given to 3 men unequally.

5.

Enemies are mentioned in addition to servants.

5.

No enemies mentioned

Both parables, however, teach the same fundamental of discipleship

FAITHFULNESS

Jesus sets forth the encouragement to faithfulness, diligence and persistence. His kingship is established. When He ascended to heaven, He was enthroned at the right hand of the Father. But the rewards for His citizens must await His return for them. In the meanwhile, while He is away, His citizens must put to work what He has left with themthe Gospel of Grace. Salvation, in all its rewarding glory, is yet to be. Salvation in its consummation depends upon faithfulness.
The Greek word translated pound is mina. There is a Hebrew word similar to it (maneh, 1 Kings 10:17) and the word mene (weighed) in Daniel 5:25-26, may also be related. Some think the pound was worth about $25 while the talent was worth about $30,000. Here, Jesus chose the smaller monetary amount because it was sufficient to illustrate His main pointfaithfulness in using what had been given for the nobleman's profit. The nobleman left each servant with one pound to test the capacity of the servants to receive the promotion he had in store for them at his return. Some Christians, at first reading this parable, are confused about its very clear teaching on a difference in rewards. There is nothing inconsistent about there being a difference of rewards in heaven. In fact, such a difference would seem to be the inevitable result of differences in individual capacities developed. Jesus did not deny that there would be chief seats in the kingdom (Matthew 20:20-28; Mark 10:35-45), He simply said they were not His to give at that time; they would be given later by the Father. Jesus did emphasize that those who think they should be first may be last and vice versa (Matthew 20:1-16). The parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) infers rewards will differ according to faithful stewardship of differing abilities and opportunities. Paul indicates (1 Corinthians 3:5-15) there will be some works burned up and some survive. Ultimately, reward will be based on faithfulness and dispensed by an Absolutely Just and Omniscient God! No human being converted to Christ's image will have reason or desire to complain. Note in this parable, the man who had gained five pounds was praised as warmly as the one who had gained ten, even though the reward was different in extent. Perhaps the servant who gained ten, had more opportunities and privileges. What would have happened to him, with all his opportunities and privileges, had he been slothful and gained only five? He would have been condemned! You see, the focus is on faithfulnessnot numerical success.

Luke 19:20-27 Fearful: Another of the servants entrusted with a pound from his nobleman made no use of it at all. He did not spend it. He did not fling it away. He did not lose it accidentally. In fact, he congratulated himself that he had preserved it by hiding it. When presenting the one pound he had so carefully preserved, he gave the reason for hiding it his fear of the austerity of his master. The Greek word austeros is usually applied to unripe fruit and means, sour, bitter, harsh. This servant believed his master was demanding more than his servant was able to render and therefore, more than he had a right to demand. The servant believed he knew better than the nobleman how to be a good steward of the gracious gift of the pound.

Study carefully the nobleman's reply. He does not admit to such an unfaithful characterization. As a matter of fact, his actual conduct shows this to be a false charge. He was gracious, trusting, more than fair and just. But the nobleman judges the faithless servant on the basis of the servant's own false charge. He says in effect, If this was your evaluation of my character, that I would be rigid, firm and even severe, you would have been smart to have made much better use of the pound I gave you. If you fully expected me to require more of you than normally required, you certainly have no right to complain if you are judged by the standards you expected. That is how I will judge you! The least the fearful servant could have done was put his pound out to the money-lender's tables (Gr. trapezan, tablenot bank), so it could earn interest. But he was afraid even to do that. Every Christian is a steward of (a) the grace of God in the Word of God (1 Corinthians 4:1); and (b) the grace of God in personal talents or abilities (1 Peter 4:10; Romans 12:4-8). Every Christian must do something to invest as much of the Word as he has in him and as much of his abilities as he has that it may bring a return for his King. No Christian is without something to invest. No Christian should think Christ will demand more than he is able to produceJesus is not unjust or unfair. He is gracious, trusting and completely fair. The nobleman in the parable did not rebuke the one who had made five because the other had made ten. Both were given the same but produced differently. It is not how much, but whether! His only rebuke is to the one who did nothing. Censure is for the one who was afraid to do anything and then tried to put the blame on the nobleman. The Christian servant never need be afraid to invest God's Word. It will always prosper. His Word will not return unto Him void (cf. Isaiah 55:11) but will accomplish His purpose. His Word is living and active and will penetrate even to the thoughts and intents of men's hearts (Hebrews 4:12-13). So put it to use!

When the nobleman took the one pound from the fearful servant and gave it to the one who had gotten ten, those standing by appeared to object. They wanted to know why the man with ten pounds should have his reward increased at the expense of the man who had only one pound. The principle of the nobleman's actions is this: The one who proves the most faithful in his stewardship is the one who can be trusted most with what has never been put to use while the one who proves altogether unfaithful cannot be trusted with anything. It is a principle running through the whole fabric of life. To every man a pound, use it or lose it!

G. Campbell Morgan cites Paul's dissertation on each man's work being tested by fire (1 Corinthians 3:5-15) to illustrate his belief that the servant was still a servant, but he had neglected his opportunity. In other words, Morgan believes the servant who produces nothing will be saved but he will lose his rewardhis wood, hay and stubble will be burned up with fire.

We have difficulty with this interpretation, because of the Lord's following judgment. Jesus said, But as for these enemies of mine.. and the Greek word for enemies is echthrous and means literally, those who hate. Jesus also said, ... who did not want me to reign over them.. and the Greek words for did not want are me thelesantas, literally, are not willing. Certainly the unfaithful steward-despised the nobleman because he considered him unfair and tyrannical. The unfaithful servant was not willing to be ruled by the nobleman or he would have obeyed instructions, Furthermore, Jesus pictures the nobleman calling the unfaithful servant a wicked servant (Gr, ponere doule, evil slave). Apparently, the servant who does nothing with his pound is accounted as an enemy and an evil servant and is slain along with the rest of those who are unwilling to have the nobleman rule over them. After all, every person is a servant of God and every person has been given a pound. Those who try to save their lives shall lose them and those who lose them for Christ's sake shall save them. The reference to the enemies of the nobleman being slain (Gr. katasphaxate, hewn to pieces) is a cryptic warning to the Jewish nation which will soon demonstrate rebellion against the Messiah and be destroyed. This is very much on the mind of Jesus as He faces the cross. In one week He will be humiliated and murdered, and the uppermost thing on his heart is the ruin his murderers are bringing upon themselves (Luke 19:41-44).

Applebury's Comments

The Parable of the Pounds
Scripture

Luke 19:11-27 And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was immediately to appear. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called ten servants of his, and gave them ten pounds, and said unto them, Trade ye herewith till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent an ambassage after him, saying, We will not that this man reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, when he was come back again, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants, unto whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. 16 And the first came before him, saying, Lord, thy pound hath made ten pounds more. 17 And he said unto him, Well done, thou good servant: because thou wast found faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Thy pound, Lord, hath made five pounds. 19 And he said unto him also, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I kept laid up in a napkin: 21 for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that which thou layedst not down, and reapest that which thou didst not sow. 22 He saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up that which I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow; 23 then wherefore gavest thou not my money into the bank, and I at my coming should have required it with interest? 24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take away from him the pound, and give it unto him that hath the ten pounds, 25 And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds, 26 I say unto you, that unto every one that hath shall be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him. 27 But these mine enemies, that would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

Comments

And as they heard these things.The crowds that saw Jesus go into the house of Zacchaeus heard what He said about seeking and saving the lost. This was the occasion for further instruction about the kingdom of God and the work that the King expected His servants to be doing until He comes again.

The two reasons for the parable are: (1) The fact that He was near Jerusalem; and (2) the supposition of the people that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. The anticipation of the people must have increased to the point of excitement as Jesus neared the city. He had made it clear for several months that His goal was Jerusalem. The climax of His ministry was soon to occur. When John the Baptist began his ministry, the people were expecting some momentous thing to happen. The impact of three years of Jesus-' teaching about the kingdom must have raised their hopes to the point that they supposed that it was soon to appear. Perhaps they were asking themselves, Is this the time when He will restore the kingdom to Israel?

It is strange that they didn-'t understand what He had repeatedly taught: He was going to die at Jerusalem, giving His life as a ransom for the many (Mark 10:45). But not even the disciples who were closest to Him understood it (Acts 1:6).

He said therefore.The Parable of the Pounds was Jesus-' answer to the many mistaken notions which the people had about the nature of the kingdom of God.

A certain nobleman went into a far country.As Jesus began the parable, He made it clear that He, like the nobleman, must go into a far country to receive His kingly authority and return. This, we know from the events that followed, meant that He was about to be put to death at Jerusalem, arise from the dead, and ascend to the right hand of the throne of God. For the history of this beginning of His kingdom see Acts 1:6-11; Acts 2:29-36; Acts 2:38-42.

On the Day of Pentecost, the apostles under the control of the Holy Spirit announced to the crowds that God had made him both Lord and Christ, fulfilling the promise to David that He would set one on his throne forever.
Many who followed Him to Jerusalem were disappointed that their views of the kingdom were not realized, but three thousand people on the Day of Pentecost did accept His rule in their hearts. They got themselves baptized for the remission of their sins and continued steadfastly in the apostles-' teaching and fellowship, in breaking of bread and prayers.

And he called ten servants.While the nobleman was away his servants were to be busy performing the tasks he had assigned them.

As the nobleman clearly represents Christ the King, so the servants .represent all of those who accept His authority and are busy doing His will. They have a task to perform while He is away. Just before He left, He told His followers to take the gospel into all the world, make disciples and baptize them, and teach them to observe all that He had commanded. See Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20.

The task is two-fold: (1) Evangelize and (2) educate. Evangelize means that they are to seek and save the lost; educate means that they are to teach new converts to observe all that Christ has commanded. This program is to be carried on by each succeeding generation of His followers until He comes again. See 2 Timothy 2:1-2. He has sent no other orders.

But his citizens hated him.The citizens are not the same as the servants who were told to trade with the ten pounds while he was away. Jesus identified them as enemies (27). They sent a delegation to say that they wouldn-'t have Him as their king. They were the citizens of the kingdom that had failed in its mission. They were the enemies who crucified the Son of God. See Psalms 89:3-4; Luke 1:32; Acts 2:22-36.

While this is a direct reference to the Jews who crucified Jesus, there is no difference between them and any others who are guilty of rejecting Him as Lord; their punishment will be the same (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10; 1 Corinthians 15:25-26).

And it came to pass, when he came back.This points to the second coming, for Christ is coming again! Hebrews 9:27-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-15; Acts 1:10-11.

He had already indicated that His coming would be at a time of judgment (Luke 17:22-23). The Parable of the Pounds and the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), which is similar to it in many ways, give interesting details about the judgment which will take place when He comes again.

having received the kingdom.He received the kingdom while he was away, not after he returned. This is true of Christ: When He went away He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God where He reigns as King; when He comes again He will sit on the throne of His glory as Judge, separating the sheep from the goats. It will be too late to accept Him as King when He returns as Judge. Now is time to confess Him before men as Lord and Christ.

And the first came before him.The reward of the king was for the faithful who had discharged their duties while awaiting his return. The one who gained ten pounds was given authority over ten cities. This clearly represents what Christ will do when He returns, for each one will receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Lord, here is thy pound.The unfaithful one was also unreasonable; he could have put the money in the bank that it might, with interest, be presented to the king when he returned. Evidently, Christ will accept no excuse for not doing what He has told us to do, whether our ability be great or small.

Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee.What the wicked servant said against his master was not true; neither did it justify his failure to make the very best use of the talent that had been given to him. Condemning Christ does not excuse the church for failure to perform the task which He left for it to do.

unto every one who has.To every one who has gained by using his talent, more will be given; but for the one who has no increase to show, even what he hadthe opportunity to servewill be taken away when the Lord comes again.

But these mine enemies.They were to be slain because they had refused to have him as king. The Jews rejected their King; Jerusalem suffered unbelievable destruction because of it, and in the Judgment all who reject Him as King by refusing to have Him rule in their hearts will suffer even greater punishment.

slay them before me.

Some assume that the gentle Jesus and the loving heavenly Father would never do such a thing, but Jesus said it will happen. Our God is a consuming fire to those who refuse to obey Him (Hebrews 12:29). Satan and all those who insist on serving him will be destroyed (Revelation 20:10; Revelation 20:15).