While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. 12 So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. 13 And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’ 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, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. 16 The first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ 18 The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ 20 Another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting man; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.’ 22 He said to him, ‘By your own words I will judge you, you worthless slave. Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’ 24 Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas already.’ 26 I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 27 But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.” — Luke 19:11-27, NASB

Like the very similar parable of the talents, the parable of the minas emphasizes the believer’s responsibilities of faithfulness and spiritual stewardship, but goes further to address opposition to Christ’s future reign and the authority true believers will be granted in His kingdom.

Jesus and the disciples have just passed through Jericho on the way to Jerusalem and the cross. Knowing that His followers would be expecting deliverance from Roman occupation and the establishment of God’s earthly kingdom on arrival, He proceeds to tell the story of a nobleman who departs to a distant country to receive his kingdom before returning to begin his reign. Like the master in the parable of the talents, the nobleman entrusts his slaves with certain resources to manage while he is away.

The parable shows that the nobleman has the right to the throne he is about to inherit, but must go away somewhere to receive it. Jesus wanted His followers to understand that there would be a delay in the full realization of His kingdom. The historical parallel upon which the original audience could draw was from about 30 years prior, when Herod the Great died and his son Archelaus journeyed to Rome to have Caesar Augustus crown him as successor. As Judea was a province of the Roman Empire, its national rulers were appointed by the central government in Rome. Through that fairly recent historical example, listeners would easily see the similarity and relate to the concept of a ruler reporting to a place of higher authority to receive his kingdom. Similarly, Jesus would soon earn the right to the throne of God’s kingdom and leave this world to be
crowned by the Father in heaven before returning in glory to assume His reign.

Knowing that he will be gone for a while, the nobleman calls in ten of his slaves and gives each ten minas to manage in his absence. As a unit of money, a mina was roughly equivalent to what the average worker would earn over three months’ time, so the amount entrusted to the servants is significant. It is important to note that each is given the same amount, in contrast to the parable of the talents where the servants are given different amounts according to their ability. There are some opportunities and abilities we all have; sometimes God distributes blessings equally. At any rate, we are to use what He has given to us to glorify Him.

When Archelaus went to Rome for his coronation, a delegation from Judea also went to Augustus to contest the appointment, as the people did not want to be subject to his rule. A similar thing happens in the parable when the citizens who hate the nobleman oppose his right to rule over them. These represent the unbelieving Jewish religious leaders who rejected Christ and His doctrine of grace. Like the enemies of the nobleman, they have gone on record with their opposition to His claim of kingship and thus affirm their status as nonbelievers. This makes them enemies of the state, so to speak, from the perspective of the incoming Sovereign.

Upon returning, the new king calls in the slaves who received the minas to see how they performed while he was away. The first slave reports that the original ten minas he had been given have made ten more. The king praises him for his faithfulness and generously gives him authority over 10 cities. The second reports that he has made five more minas from the original ten and receives authority over five cities. These faithful servants represent true believers, and based on the fruit produced in a believer’s life, God rewards accordingly. The scene also provides a glimpse of the nature of rewards in the heavenly kingdom, where believers are promised a co-regency with Christ. The authority bestowed on the faithful slaves in the parable reflects that bestowed on the faithful.

The remaining slave who comes forward represents a false believer. He reports that he simply wrapped the minas in a handkerchief, put them aside, and is now returning them. This slave recognized the authority of the king, but had no respect for that authority or the responsibility he had been given. He makes the excuse that the king is a hard, ungracious man who takes what doesn’t belong to him, and out of fear he just put the minas away rather than risk inciting his wrath. It is a false accusation to deflect from his own unworthiness. The truth is that he has no love for the king and will go to no effort to honor him. He does not even go to the trouble of burying the sum to secure it, as his counterpart in the parable of the talents did, so little regard he has for his master’s resources.

The slave is judged by his own words as the king takes back the minas and condemns him, giving the minas to the slave who earned ten. Those who are poor stewards of God’s blessings will be stripped of them, while faithful, productive stewards will have their rewards multiplied.

The king orders His enemies killed, as people who reject Jesus as the rightful Sovereign will likewise be eternally doomed. The sobering reality for nonbelievers and enemies of God is that He has absolute authority and sworn enemies will be straightaway dispatched. That they chose to reject God does not make Him any less real or predominant; every person is subject to His holy standard and justice without exception.

Jesus has gone away to receive His kingdom and will return as Sovereign in the future. In the interim, He has entrusted us each with resources to manage in a manner that glorifies Him. These resources come in the form of wisdom and knowledge, an ability to promote or teach the gospel, abilities to lead, opportunities to serve or encourage, and more. Like the nobleman, our Lord expects a return on these spiritual privileges. When He arrives, He will repay each person for what they have done. For Christians, it is imperative to make the most of our blessings while we await Christ's return. It is what we have been designed by God to do.

Image:
Luyken, Jan (1649-1712); Parable of the Minas; Medhurst, Phillip (attribution)