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. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants,1 he gave them ten minas,2 and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. 16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant!3 Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ 24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”
Section Overview
The journey is almost over; Jesus is approaching Jerusalem. The significance of his arrival in Jerusalem is such that some think the kingdom of God is about to commence immediately, which must mean that they think the kingdom will be consummated. Jesus proceeds to tell a parable about minas given to ten different people, which has both similarities and differences with a parable in Matthew 25:14–30.233 A nobleman, who stands for Christ here, goes on a long journey to obtain a kingdom and then return. He gives each of the ten servants a mina to do business until he returns. The citizens of the country, however, reject his rule, because they hate him. Upon the nobleman’s return, he receives a report from his servants; the responses of three servants serve as representative of the ten. The first servant has gained tenfold from his work and made ten more minas; as a reward for his faithfulness he is given responsibility over ten cities. The second has added five more minas to his mina and is given responsibility over five cities. The third man hid his mina in a handkerchief because he was afraid of the master. The master judges the third man by his own assessment. If he knew he was severe, he should have at least deposited the mina and drawn interest. The lord takes the mina from the man and gives it to the man with ten minas. More is given to those who have, while the one who has gained nothing will lose even what he already has. Finally, the citizens who have rejected his reign, those who are his enemies, are slaughtered in front of him.
Section Outline
IV. Galilee to Jerusalem: Discipleship (9:51–19:27) . . .
C. The Last Leg of the Journey (17:11–19:27) . . .
7. Parable of Ten Minas (19:11–27)
Response
Sometimes people say that Jesus taught that he would return immediately, and they even claim that Jesus was wrong because he said he would come soon. They claim that Jesus was definitely wrong because two thousand years have passed since he first spoke. But to say this about Jesus’ teaching is to read the Gospels too simplistically. There are NT sayings that Jesus will come very soon, and there are also places that predict an unknown interval of time before he returns. The parable of the minas fits with the reality that there may be a delay before Jesus returns.
We should not understand the parable to teach that each person has received an equal level of talent or ability. This is obviously not true, either from Scripture or from experience. What the parable teaches is that each of us receives a certain amount of responsibility before the Lord, and we are judged by what we do with the responsibilities given to us. We learn from these illustrations that true faith manifests itself in good works. We are saved by faith alone, but never by a faith that is alone. Genuine faith manifests itself in the doing of good works.
It is also possible, though not certain, that this parable teaches different levels of rewards for Christians. Each person receives the same number of minas, but one person gains ten more and is appointed over ten cities. Another gains five more and is put in charge of five cities. Perhaps those who trust God more will receive a greater reward. Scholars dispute whether this idea fits with the rest of the NT, but if there will be different rewards, does that mean that those with fewer rewards in the new creation will be unhappy when they see people with more? No, for there will be no envy or jealousy in the new world. Each person will be completely happy with the reward received. We can compare the different rewards in the new creation to differently sized cups. Each cup will be completely full, and so every person will be overflowing with joy and wonder and praise.
Finally, some people hate the Lord Jesus and always will. Naturally, we do all we can in this life to show them the love of Jesus in the hope of their salvation. Still, some will never turn. They reject forever the joy that comes from knowing Jesus. Some are furious when learning about the gospel. They are full of wrath when they hear about hell. They are convinced that any God who sends people to hell is despicable. But we know that our God is not unjust or unloving. He judges because he is holy and just and righteous. He judges because people deserve to be punished. Of course, we all deserve such punishment. Apart from God’s grace, such is the destiny of us all. And when we experience forgiveness, we are filled with joy and gratitude.