Study 42. Luke 19:11-27. 5/1/24

7. What prompted Jesus to tell this parable (19:11)?

"Because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately" (cf.7:51)

 

Jericho was 17 miles from Jerusalem - Jesus' journey would climax soon, but not in the way the crowds expected. 

Jerusalem was the political capital, where any change of regime by the Messiah would be expected.

 

8. How does the returning king reward his servants who have multiplied their minas tenfold and fivefold (19:15-19)

The first 2 servants do not claim credit, but ascribe their success to the money left by the master. Both are rewarded and promoted to greater responsibility. The reward is not rest, but opportunity for wider service (Morris). We are not told what happens to the 7 other servants! The rounded number 10 may mean that this teaching applies to all Jesus' followers.

 

The unusually high 500- 1000% profit by the first and second servants represent unusual wisdom and faithfulness on their part.

This passage also teaches differing rewards in heaven (e.g. 1 Cor 3:8, 14-15)

 

9. What mistaken belief about his master gets the third servant into trouble (19:20-23)?

His declared motive was fear. He said his master was a 'severe' (Gk. austeros) man - strict, exacting, "a man who expects to get blood out of a stone" (Moulton & Millington) - a man who took advantage of someone else's labour.

The master made the servant’s words the basis of his condemnation. If the servant really believed what he said about his master, he ought to have done something. Without risk he could have put the money into the bank, where it would have earned interest.(Morris)

The servant felt or half-believed that his master was not a man worth working for - not even worth helping. He would rather do nothing in order to avoid any responsibility because of resentment of his Master.

 

 

10. What does the master do with the third servant's mina (19:24-26)?

The money was given to the first servant - a bonus reward to one who did not need and probably did not expect it. It is unclear if those who protest are the other servants or Jesus' hearers.

( cf. 6:18, Mt 13:12, Mk 4:25: For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.)

 

 

11. What is the lesson  for the disciples in 19:13-26?

Jesus is not saying that the rich will get richer and the poor poorer. The words must be seen in their context. It is the man whose abundance shows that he has made good use of what he has who will get more. The man whose lack shows that, like the third servant, he has made no use of his opportunities, will lose what little he has...  In the Christian life we do not stand still. We use our gifts and make progress or we lose what we have. (Morris)

 

Jesus' disciples are to 'engage in business' - to make efforts for the Master.

 

12. The unfruitful servant loses his mina, but what happens to the citizens who reject the king's rule entirely (19:14-27)?

The servant loses all reward, but the citizens  are 'enemies' of the nobleman and are slaughtered.

(In Mt 25 the unfaithful servant is cast into the outer darkness. In Luke he is described as 'wicked')

 

 

13. What point is Jesus making to the crowds in this part of the parable?

Opposition to what is irresistable is futile and will be most severely punished. It is a stern warning not to oppose his kingship.

 

How is 19:12 just like what Jesus did? How is 19:14 like what happened to Him?

He is returning to His Father before returning to receive His kingdom, and his return will be delayed.

 

Compare Luke 19:11-27 to Matthrew 25:14-30.

• The sums in Matthrew (talents) are large and probably represent major undertakings. In Luke the sums are small  (1 talent = 60 minas/pounds = 6000 denarii/drachmas) and probably represent daily faithfulness
  
• In Mt 25 Jesus speaks to the disciples. In Luke Jesus is speaking to the crowds who expect him to set up his kingdom. 
•  In Luke the servants are being tested with similar sums for fitness for greater tasks. Matthew is concerned with people of different abilities who are assigned tasks accordingly.
• Matthew reminds us that we have different gifts and external opportunities in life. Luke tells us we each have equal amounts of time and capacity for effort.  Both parables are about the necessity for faithful stewardship. Matthew teaches that we are given different gifts and opportunities, and each one must maximise what we have received. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. (12:48). Our reward does not differ because of our intrinsic capacities and external opportunities. However, it does differ depending on how effectively we use those capacities and opportunities in the time frame given to us.
• In Matthew the words of praise to the first 2 servants are identical, so it is not the absolute gain that is rewarded. In Luke the rewards to the first 2 servants differ according to their performance.
  
• Luke gives the motif of a king receiving a kingdom (? a reference to Herod Archelaus going to Augustus), Matthew only mentions a man 'going on a journey'.
  

 How is the parable of 19:12-27 a response to the belief that the kingdom is coming immediately (19:11)?

The nobleman has gone to a 'far country' before returning. (cf. Mat 25:19 'after a long time')

We had a full attendance at cell today and we celebrated Grace's and Samuel's birthdays!