Chapter

Luke 19:13

ESV Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’
NIV So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.'
NASB And he called ten of his own slaves and gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business with this money until I come back.
CSB He called ten of his servants, gave them ten minas, and told them, 'Engage in business until I come back.'
NLT Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’
KJV And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

What does Luke 19:13 mean?

This parable warns the surrounding crowd that their expectations are premature. They think they are marching on Jerusalem to establish Jesus' kingdom. He's telling them there will be a delay. He will first have to leave, and they have a decision to make before He returns.

In the parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11–27), a nobleman must leave to receive a kingship from a higher authority. He selects ten servants and gives each of them a single mina, telling them to invest them wisely until his return; he expects them to make a profit. A mina is about the equivalent of four months of a laborers' wages.

Most of the servants do well. At least one makes ten minas from the one, and another makes five. They are given ten and five cities to rule, accordingly. One servant hides the mina, afraid that if he loses his capital, the nobleman will be angry. The nobleman is angry, anyway, that he didn't at least put it in the bank and make interest (Luke 19:16–23).

Unlike the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30), each servant receives the same amount: one mina. In a similar way, each member of the crowd has received the same treasure: all the proof they need that Jesus is the Messiah and the King of the Jews. His resurrection will confirm it. But will they be faithful with that information? Will they accept Him as their King and build His kingdom during His absence?
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