Luke 19:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

beloved Paul, who expressed his desire to visit, stating, “For I desired to see you, that I might give you some spiritual gift, that ye might be strengthened.” He likewise encourages his disciple Timothy, advising, “Do not despise the gift that is in you, which was given to you by the laying on of my hands.” Paul hoped Timothy would flourish in teaching. Furthermore, the Savior conveyed in another parable: “Who is the faithful and wise servant whom his master shall set over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find doing so. Verily I say unto you, that he shall set him over all that he hath.” This notion of providing food to his servants signifies the act of offering spiritual guidance to those entrusted to him, thereby nourishing those who crave righteousness with spiritual sustenance.

It is important that the facilitator of the law be complete in all aspects, as the realm of God is not merely expressed through words but demonstrated in power.

In addressing the Jews, it is fitting that only two were able to generate a profit, emphasizing that the gain is not monetary but rather the fruitfulness of proclaiming the message. The concept of multiplying funds differs significantly from the yield of divine instruction.

What, then, are the ten cities? Should they not represent souls, with the foremost among them being one who belongs to the Lord and embodies His words, refined and purified like silver, thus nurturing the souls of humanity? Jerusalem, designed as a city, echoes the souls that seek peace. Just as angels are positioned at the forefront, so too will those who reach an angelic existence.

Meanwhile, He admonished the apostles not to be passive and idle, waiting for the kingdom of the Messiah to manifest effortlessly, devoid of their effort or contribution, but rather to actively engage in the advancement of this kingdom. This parable, more explicitly than others of its kind, illustrates the Lord's departure from the earth, His exaltation in heaven, and His return in judgment upon His people to fulfill the revelation of His kingdom. The narrative depicts a wealthy man journeying to a distant land to petition a powerful ruler for the authority to govern his territory, and upon his return, he comes back with the title of king. The portrayal of this man serves to signify the Saviour Himself, His ascension from earth to reign in heaven, and His eventual judgment upon the Jews who rejected Him and opposed His rule. To emphasize the necessity of the apostles' diligent efforts, the parable recounts how the nobleman, while heading to the royal court, entrusted ten of his servants with a mina each to invest. Upon his return, he rewarded each servant with cities to oversee based on the profits they generated, while one who failed to utilize his mina was stripped of all he had.

During this interim, each individual is expected to wisely utilize the grace they have received to ready themselves for the Lord's return—a return marked by the glorious unveiling of His kingdom. This event will coincide with the global judgment, where the diligent will receive their just rewards, the slothful will face consequences, and those who once denied Him as their King will be cast into eternal damnation.

The imagery of the parable reflects the political reality of Judea at that time. Judea was under Roman dominion, governed initially by its own monarchs with the sanction of the Roman authority. New monarchs often traveled to Rome for confirmation of their rule, as seen in the case of Archelaus following the demise of Herod the Great. However, the Jewish people were reluctant to accept him as their king due to his tyrannical nature, similar to that of his father. Consequently, they dispatched a delegation to Rome, urging that he be denied royal recognition.

Despite considerable opposition from the local populace, he successfully attained the kingship, and upon his return, he rewarded both his foes and his faithful servants based on their loyalty and actions. However, one unproductive and unfaithful servant, rather than actively utilizing the silver assigned to him, concealed it in a cloth and presented it back to his master with an insolent complaint about his severity. Consequently, the silver was taken from him and given to the most deserving servant; those who had been diligent were generously rewarded, while the rebellious citizens who resisted his reign were captured and executed. This parable offers many insights: it signifies the imminent departure of Christ the Redeemer from the earthly realm; reflects the animosity with which He was repudiated; underscores the necessity of loyalty in stewarding what has been entrusted to Him; highlights the unpredictability of His return; affirms that upon His return, all will be required to give a thorough account; condemns laziness; promises abundant rewards for those who serve Him truthfully; and foreshadows the ultimate destruction of those who reject Him. This parable is further elucidated in Matthew 25. For context on Archelaus, refer to Matthew 2:22.