Luke 19:12
“And he said, Therefore a certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.”
Context: This verse is part of a parable told by Jesus to his disciples. The parable of the nobleman, also known as the parable of the ten minas, is found in Luke 19:11-27. In this parable, Jesus uses a story to teach a spiritual lesson.
The parable begins with the statement in Luke 19:11: “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.” This context helps us understand that Jesus was speaking to his disciples, who had certain expectations regarding the immediate establishment of the kingdom of God.
In Luke 19:12, Jesus begins the parable by introducing a certain nobleman who goes into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. This nobleman represents Jesus Himself, and the far country symbolizes heaven, from where He would ascend to the Father after His resurrection and before His second coming.
The phrase “to receive for himself a kingdom” refers to Jesus’ future return to establish His kingdom. It implies that Jesus would receive authority and dominion over all things, as depicted in several prophecies in the Old Testament (e.g., Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 2:6-9).
The parable continues with the nobleman entrusting his servants with ten minas (a unit of currency). Each servant is instructed to engage in business and make a profit while the nobleman is away. Upon his return, the nobleman calls his servants to give an account of their stewardship.
This parable highlights the concept of stewardship and faithfulness. The nobleman represents Jesus, and the servants symbolize His followers who are entrusted with the resources, gifts, and opportunities that God has given them. The parable teaches that believers are to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to them, whether it be material possessions, talents, time, or spiritual gifts.
The parable concludes with rewards and consequences based on the faithfulness of the servants. Those who had been faithful and fruitful in their stewardship were rewarded with positions of authority and responsibility in the nobleman’s kingdom. However, the servant who did not use his mina wisely and failed to produce any gain faced consequences.
Overall, Luke 19:12 and the parable of the nobleman remind us of our responsibility as followers of Jesus to faithfully use the resources and opportunities God has given us while we await His return. It emphasises the importance of using our gifts and talents for the growth of God’s kingdom and being accountable for how we have used them.
