What does Luke 19:11-27 mean?

"And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 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. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me." - Luke 19:11-27

The parable in Luke 19:11-27 is known as the Parable of the Ten Minas. This parable is unique to the Gospel of Luke and occurs towards the end of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem. In this passage, Jesus is near Jerusalem, and his followers believe that the kingdom of God is going to appear immediately. However, Jesus tells a parable to correct their misunderstanding and to teach them a deeper truth about Himself and His kingdom.

The parable begins with Jesus telling a story of a nobleman who goes away to a far country to receive for himself a kingdom. Before he leaves, he calls ten of his servants and gives them each a mina, which was a unit of currency. He instructs them to engage in business with the mina until he returns. After receiving the minas, the citizens of the nobleman's home country send a delegation after him, saying they do not want him to be their king.

When the nobleman returns, he summons his servants to see how much they have gained with the minas. The first servant presents ten minas, showing that he has made his original mina into ten. The nobleman commends him and gives him authority over ten cities. The second servant presents five minas, and the nobleman gives him authority over five cities. However, one servant comes forward and admits that he kept the mina in a handkerchief, afraid of the nobleman because he was an austere man. The nobleman judges him harshly, taking the mina from him and giving it to the one who had ten.

This parable has several layers of meaning and deep spiritual significance. At a basic level, the parable is about the kingdom and what is expected of those who are citizens of the kingdom. Jesus is the nobleman who goes to receive His kingdom and then returns to hold His followers accountable for how they have used the resources He has given them.

The parable also speaks to the disciples' expectation of the immediate appearance of the kingdom. The nobleman's departure to receive a kingdom parallels Jesus' own journey to Jerusalem, where He would be crucified and then raised to take His place as ruler over all. This parable teaches that the kingdom would not appear immediately but that the disciples must be diligent and faithful in their waiting and service.

The minas represent the resources and abilities that the Lord has given to His disciples. These are not limited to monetary wealth, but include everything that God has entrusted to us, such as time, talents, and spiritual gifts. The parable teaches that we are to use these resources wisely and productively for the sake of the kingdom. The faithful servants who put the minas to work and gained more symbolize those who use their gifts and abilities for the Lord's service and glory. In contrast, the unfaithful servant who hid the mina represents those who fail to use what the Lord has given them for His purposes.

The parable also underscores the principle of stewardship and accountability. The Lord expects His followers to be faithful stewards of what He has given them and to use their resources for His purposes. The judgment of the unfaithful servant reinforces the idea that there will be consequences for how we use or neglect the resources the Lord has entrusted to us.

The parable also has a political undertone, as the citizens who reject the nobleman's authority represent those who reject Jesus as their king. The nobleman's response to those who did not want him to be their king parallels the future judgment of those who reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Ultimately, the Parable of the Ten Minas teaches the importance of faithfulness, stewardship, and readiness for the kingdom of God. It challenges us to use our resources and abilities for the sake of the kingdom and to be prepared for the day when the Lord will return and hold us accountable for how we have lived and served in His name. This passage reminds us that we are to be faithful and diligent in using the gifts and resources God has given us, and that we will ultimately be rewarded or judged based on our faithfulness.

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Luke 19:11-27 - "While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don’t want this man to be our king.' He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' 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. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.'""

"While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don’t want this man to be our king.' He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' 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. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.'"" - Luke 19:11-27

Luke 19:27 - "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me." respectful, symbolic bible verse art

Luke 11:19 - "And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges."

Luke 19:11 - "And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear."

Luke 11:27 - "¶ And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked."