Queen's Road Cell

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 faithfulne...

  8  If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9  But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. 10  He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11  When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12  Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. 13  There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14  and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15  As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked...