The Parable of the Ten Minas (Luke 19:11-27)
Introduction to the Parable of the Ten Minas
In the Gospel of Luke, we encounter numerous parables—stories that Jesus told to teach important lessons about God’s kingdom. One of these is the Parable of the Ten Minas, found in Luke 19:11-27. This story, like many of Jesus’ teachings, is both practical and deeply spiritual, offering valuable insights into stewardship, responsibility, and the expectation of faithful service in God’s kingdom. The parable of the ten minas is often linked with the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, though it presents its own unique themes and context.
In this passage, Jesus tells of a nobleman who entrusts ten servants with minas (a form of currency) while he goes away to receive a kingdom. The story unfolds to reveal how each servant responds to the task given to them, highlighting themes of accountability and faithfulness. The lessons drawn from this parable speak directly to us today, urging us to consider how we steward the gifts and opportunities entrusted to us.
You can explore the Biblical Unit Converter and get a clearer understanding of ancient currency values by visiting this page on my website.
In this passage, duty, responsibility, and consequences are highlighted.
If we are faithful in the small things, we will be blessed with even more responsiblity.
Verse-by-Verse Breakdown of Luke 19:11-27 and Commentary
Luke 19:11
“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.”
Jesus, aware of the misconceptions surrounding the coming of God’s kingdom, uses this parable to correct those expectations. Many of his listeners believed that the Messiah would soon establish God’s kingdom on earth, overthrowing Roman rule and bringing a new political reign. By telling this parable, Jesus helps them understand that the kingdom of God does not come in an immediate, worldly sense, but rather, it comes gradually, with a time of waiting and preparation.
Jesus addressed this issue earlier in Luke 17.
Luke 19:12-13
“He said therefore, ‘A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas and said to them, “Engage in business until I come.”’”
Here, the nobleman represents Jesus, who is going away to receive his kingdom (an allusion to his ascension to the Father) and will eventually return. The ten servants symbolize his followers, each entrusted with a mina—a sum of money. The instruction to “engage in business” is a call for faithful stewardship. The nobleman does not simply hand over the mina and leave them to do nothing; he expects them to put it to work. Likewise, Jesus has given us gifts and responsibilities, and he expects us to use them for he kingdom’s purposes while he is away.
Luke 19:14
“But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’”
This verse foreshadows the rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders and, more broadly, the world’s resistance to his authority. The nobleman’s subjects (the citizens) are representative of those who reject the reign of Christ, refusing his rightful rule over their lives.
Luke 19:15-17
“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. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’”
Upon the nobleman’s return, he evaluates how each servant has handled the mina. The first servant is rewarded for his faithfulness, turning one mina into ten. This servant exemplifies what it means to be a good steward: faithful with the small responsibilities, resulting in greater responsibilities. The phrase “because you have been faithful in a very little” speaks to the nature of God’s rewards—those who prove faithful with what is entrusted to them will be given even greater opportunities to serve.
Luke 19:18-19
“And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’”
This servant’s return is also positive, although less impressive than the first. He turned his mina into five, and his reward reflects that faithfulness. Both servants are commended, though their returns vary, emphasizing that God does not compare us to others but judges us according to how we have faithfully used what he has given us.
Luke 19:20-21
“Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 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.’”
Here, we encounter the third servant, whose failure to use the mina results in his judgment. He claims fear as the reason for his inaction, but his reasoning is exposed as self-serving. He accuses the nobleman of being harsh, which reveals his own lack of understanding and initiative. Instead of seeking to grow what he had been given, he buried it, making no attempt at stewardship. This contrast highlights the expectation that followers of Christ should take active responsibility for the work he has given them.
Luke 19:22-23
“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. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’”
The nobleman’s response is one of harsh rebuke. The servant’s excuse, based on fear, does not hold up, and his failure to even put the money in the bank, where it could have earned interest, further exposes his laziness and lack of genuine respect for his master. In the same way, Jesus calls us to use the resources and gifts entrusted to us, not to bury them or leave them dormant.
We must remember, the nobleman said at the beginning, “Engage in business.” This person willfully resisted.
Luke 19:24-26
“And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘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.’”
The principle here is clear: those who prove faithful with what they have will receive more, while those who fail to use their resources will lose even what they have. This underscores the biblical principle of stewardship—God rewards faithfulness and punishes neglect.
Luke 19:27
“But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”
In the parable, the ruler punishes those who "resisted his rule.” One wonders why the people and workers, knowing the nobleman’s character and ways, would resist. However, it is a story with layers of meaning.
The main point of the parable is not to perfectly mirror the relationship between God and humanity, but to teach about the nature of responsibility, stewardship, and accountability.
For instance, the people knew and had a disdain for the nobleman and didn’t want to extend his influence. However, the disciples know Jesus and have been taught that God is good, loving, and not an unjust judge. Therefore they should want to extend the influence of such a person as Jesus and such a kingdom as God’s!
Meaning for Today
The parable of the ten minas speaks to the Christian life today in several ways. First, it challenges us to consider how we are stewarding the gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities that God has entrusted to us. Whether in our personal lives, our relationships, or our ministry, we are called to invest what God has given us for the kingdom. The rewards of faithfulness are not necessarily immediate, but they will come in due time.
The parable also reminds us that we are accountable for our actions. God is not indifferent to how we live; God expects us to take our role in the kingdom seriously. As we work faithfully in the time that he has given us, we anticipate his return, knowing that he will reward those who have served him with diligence and integrity.
In a world where apathy and fear often lead to inaction, this story calls us to a life of courage and faithfulness, confident that God will bless our efforts to live for Him.
Conclusion
The parable of the ten minas invites us to reflect on our own stewardship. It’s not enough to simply hold on to what we’ve been given; we are called to invest it, to grow it, and to use it for God’s kingdom purposes. Jesus, the nobleman in the story, has entrusted us with His work and will return one day to see what we have done. Let us be found faithful, knowing that the reward for our labor will be greater than anything we can imagine.
FAQ: Introduction to the Parable of the Ten Minas
1. What is the Parable of the Ten Minas about?
The Parable of the Ten Minas, found in Luke 19:11-27, teaches about stewardship, responsibility, and faithfulness in the kingdom of God. In the story, a nobleman entrusts ten servants with minas (a form of currency) while he goes away to receive a kingdom. The servants’ task is to invest the minas wisely. When the nobleman returns, he rewards those who have been faithful and punishes the one who did nothing with his mina. The parable emphasizes the importance of being diligent in fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to us by God.
2. How does this parable relate to the kingdom of God?
This parable addresses misconceptions about the kingdom of God. Many listeners believed that the kingdom would come immediately and in a political form. Jesus uses this parable to show that God’s kingdom comes gradually, through a period of waiting and preparation, rather than in an immediate, worldly way. The parable highlights how believers are to live faithfully in anticipation of God’s return.
3. Who do the nobleman and the servants represent?
In the parable, the nobleman represents Jesus, who goes away (alluding to his ascension) and will return in the future. The ten servants symbolize Jesus’ followers, each entrusted with responsibilities and gifts (symbolized by the minas). Just as the nobleman expects the servants to be faithful stewards, Jesus expects his followers to faithfully steward the gifts and opportunities given to them.
4. What is a mina? Is a mina the same as a talent?
A mina was a unit of currency in biblical times, roughly equivalent to about three months’ wages for a laborer. It is not the same as a talent, which was a larger unit of currency, worth approximately 60 minas. While both terms appear in Jesus’ parables (the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 and the Parable of the Ten Minas in Luke 19), they represent different amounts, with a talent being significantly more valuable than a mina.
A mina would be about $675. A talent would be $40,500. Go HERE to see comparisons.
5. What is the significance of the rewards and punishments in the parable?
The rewards and punishments in the parable teach about the principles of faithfulness and accountability. The servants who use their minas wisely are rewarded with greater responsibilities, while the servant who does nothing with his mina is punished. This reflects the biblical idea that those who are faithful with what God has entrusted to them will be given more, while those who are negligent will lose even what they have.
6. What lessons can we learn from the Parable of the Ten Minas?
The parable teaches several key lessons:
• Stewardship: We are entrusted with gifts, resources, and responsibilities, and God expects us to use them faithfully.
• Accountability: We are accountable for how we live and the way we handle what God has given us.
• Faithfulness: Even small tasks are important in God’s eyes, and faithfulness in little things leads to greater rewards.
• Anticipation of Christ’s return: As we live faithfully, we look forward to Jesus’ return and the rewards that await those who serve Him well.
7. How does this parable relate to our lives today?
Today, this parable challenges us to examine how we are using the gifts, time, and opportunities God has entrusted to us. Whether in our personal lives, work, or ministry, we are called to invest what we have for God’s kingdom. The story encourages us to live with responsibility and faithfulness, knowing that God will reward our efforts when He returns.
8. What is the Biblical Unit Converter, and how does it relate to the Parable of the Ten Minas?
The Biblical Unit Converter on my website allows you to better understand ancient currency values, such as the mina, which is used in this parable. The mina was a form of currency in biblical times, and the converter can help you grasp its value in modern terms. This tool can help deepen your understanding of the parable and how Jesus’ audience might have viewed the amounts involved. You can explore the Biblical Unit Converter here: Bible Measurements.
