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. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 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.
16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 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. 22 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:
23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26 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. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. (Luke 19:11-27 KJV)
The Parable of the Ten Minas
Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for His final Passover, where He would suffer and die. His followers expected that the kingdom of God would immediately appear (Luke 19:11). Both the Pharisees and the disciples misunderstood the nature of this kingdom. The Pharisees expected a political messiah, and the disciples thought Jesus would soon reveal His glory with earthly power. Since He was going to Jerusalem, they assumed He would soon sit on a throne. Even faithful people can form mistaken ideas about Christ’s kingdom and expect it sooner than it is meant to appear.
To correct these misconceptions, Jesus taught that He wouldn’t be revealed in His glory right away. He compared Himself to a nobleman who went to a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. He had to ascend to heaven and receive glory from the Father before the Spirit would be poured out and His church established on earth. Though He returned in one sense at Pentecost and again when Jerusalem was destroyed, this parable chiefly points to His final return (Acts 1:11).
His disciples expected to be elevated to power, but Jesus showed that He intended to make them laborers, not lords. He gave them a “pound” each—symbolizing spiritual gifts and opportunities to serve His kingdom—and told them, “Trade until I come.” Their role was not to bask in honor but to labor diligently for the gospel. Like tradesmen with small capital, they were to invest their gifts for the benefit of others. This reflects how ministers and Christians alike are meant to live.
All Christians have work to do for Christ, and ministers especially. Those called to serve are equipped for their task and are expected to be faithful. They are to continue their work until Christ returns, regardless of difficulty or opposition. Only those who persevere to the end will be saved.
When Christ returns, His servants will give an account of how they used their gifts (Luke 19:15). Those who are diligent will gain for Christ. While business in the world often results in loss, those who labor for Christ are guaranteed spiritual gain. Every true convert is a gain for Christ. Ministers act as His representatives and will report what souls they’ve reached, what lives they’ve impacted.
The parable presents two faithful servants. One gained ten pounds, another five (Luke 19:16-19). Both were productive, though not equally. This shows that while all faithful servants will be rewarded, success may vary depending on effort and opportunity. Paul, for example, could be seen as the servant who gained ten pounds, given his tireless ministry and widespread impact.
Both servants give credit to their Master: “Your pound has gained ten pounds.” This humility acknowledges that all results are from God. Paul said, “I labored, yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Faithful servants will hear, “Well done, good servant” (Luke 19:17), and be rewarded accordingly. “Because you have been faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.” Those who serve humbly will be exalted. In the world to come, they will reign with Christ and receive greater glory than any earthly promotion could provide. The one who gained five pounds was made ruler over five cities, showing that heavenly rewards differ according to earthly service.
One servant returned his pound unused, claiming he had kept it safe in a napkin (Luke 19:20). This represents those who neglect their gifts. They don’t harm the kingdom, but they don’t help it either. They do nothing, which is itself a great wrong.
He excused his idleness by accusing his master of being harsh: “I feared you, because you are an austere man….” But this was a poor excuse, suggesting he saw his master as demanding and unfair. His excuse backfired. Jesus said, “Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant” (Luke 19:22). If he feared losing the pound, he should have at least invested it in a bank. His real problem wasn’t fear but indifference. He simply didn’t care about his master’s interest.
The pound was taken from him and given to the servant with ten pounds (Luke 19:24). When others objected, Jesus responded, “To everyone who has, more will be given” (Luke 19:26). Those who use their gifts will be given more responsibility. Those who waste them will lose even what they have. This warning was meant to awaken Christ’s disciples, lest they neglect their mission and lose their eternal reward.
Another false expectation was that the Jewish nation would gladly welcome Christ’s kingdom. But Jesus showed that many would reject Him, which would bring their ruin. In the parable, the citizens send a message: “We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14). This represents the unbelieving Jews after Jesus’ ascension, who rejected His reign, just as Psalm 2:1-3 describes.
This defiance wasn’t limited to Jews; it describes all who reject Christ’s rule. They want salvation but not submission. Christ is a Savior only to those who accept Him as Lord.
When Christ returns, His enemies will face judgment: “Bring them here and slay them before me” (Luke 19:27). This especially applies to the judgment on the Jewish nation after they said, “We have no king but Caesar.” Their rebellion led to their downfall. Christ’s enemies were punished, and the gospel spread to the Gentile world. The wrath of Christ came upon them fully (1 Thessalonians 2:15-16), and their destruction honored Christ and brought peace to the church.
This judgment also applies to all who persist in unbelief. Christ’s enemies will be brought forth and punished openly. They will see the glory they rejected and hear their own flimsy excuses overruled. The Savior they rejected will not defend them.
Those who refuse Christ’s reign will be treated as His enemies. Even those who appear outwardly decent but reject Christ’s terms of salvation will face His wrath. Anyone who will not be ruled by Christ’s grace will be ruined by His judgment.