The Red-Letter Words of Yeshua ~ Part 129

Yeshua’s Final Journey ~ Part 6

In our last post, we have been dealing with the final days of Yeshua’s life and ministry. In this post, Yeshua Tells a Parable of the Ten Minas.

Yeshua Tells a Parable of the Ten Minah (Minas)

While at Zakkai’s house, Yeshua tells a parable about a nobleman who entrusts money to his servants. The parable explains that God expects his people to appropriately steward the resources He gives. The parable also emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s commands. A parallel account appears in Matt. 25:14–30.

¹¹ While they were listening to this, Yeshua went on to tell a parable because He was near Yerushalayim, and the people supposed that the Kingdom of God was about to appear at any moment.

Yeshua’s proximity to Yerushalayim heightened expectations about His Messianic Kingdom.

¹² Therefore, He said, “A nobleman went to a country far away to have himself crowned king and then return.

A country far away suggests a lengthy interval between the man’s departure and return.

¹³ Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten manim [a maneh is about three months’ wages] and said to them, ‘Do business with this while I’m away.’ ¹⁴ But his countrymen hated him, and they sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to rule over us.’

They sent a delegation after him, presumably to the ruler bestowing authority on the nobleman. According to the next verse, this delegation failed to block the appointment.

¹⁵ “However, he returned, having been made king, and sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what each one had earned in his business dealings. ¹⁶ The first one came in and said, ‘Sir, your maneh has earned ten more manim.’ ¹⁷ ‘Excellent!’ he said to him. ‘You are a good servant. Because you have been trustworthy in a small matter, I am putting you in charge of ten towns.’

I am putting you in charge of ten towns. The nobleman rewards the servant by assigning him territory in the newly acquired kingdom.

¹⁸ The second one came and said, ‘Sir, your maneh has earned five more manim; ¹⁹ and to this one, he said, ‘You be in charge of five towns.’ ²⁰ “Then another one came and said, ‘Sir, here is your maneh. I kept it hidden in a piece of cloth, ²¹ because I was afraid of you—you take out what you didn’t put in, and you harvest what you didn’t plant.’ ²² To him, the master said, ‘You wicked servant! I will judge you by your own words! So you knew, did you, that I was a severe man, taking out what I didn’t put in and harvesting what I didn’t plant?

The servant will be judged severely. He disobeyed the master’s command to conduct business while he was away (Luke 19:13) instead of hiding the maneh (v. 20).

²³ Then why didn’t you put my money in the bank? Then, when I returned, I would have gotten it back with interest!’ ²⁴ To those standing by, he said, ‘Take the maneh from him and give it to the one with ten manim.’ ²⁵ They said to him, ‘Sir, he already has ten manim!’ ²⁶ But the master answered, ‘I tell you, everyone who has something will be given more; but from anyone who has nothing, even what he does have will be taken away. ²⁷ However, as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence!'”  ^[1]

Will be given more indicates that the new king will reward faithful obedience, which leads to greater responsibility in managing the kingdom’s resources. Yeshua made this same point in the parable of the lamp. (8:18; compare note on Matt 25:29).

These enemies of mine are those who opposed the nobleman’s reign (Luke 19:14).

In our next, we will continue to explore Yeshua’s, Final Journey.

Click here for the PDF version.

^[1]  Luke 19:11–27.