Luke 19 12

Luke 19:12 kjv

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

Luke 19:12 nkjv

Therefore He said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.

Luke 19:12 niv

He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.

Luke 19:12 esv

He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.

Luke 19:12 nlt

He said, "A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return.

Luke 19 verses

Luke 19 12 Meaning

Luke 19:12 initiates the Parable of the Minas (also known as the Parable of the Ten Servants or Parable of the Nobleman), given by Jesus as He was approaching Jerusalem. This verse introduces the central figure, a "nobleman," who represents Jesus Himself. The nobleman's journey "into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom" signifies Jesus' impending ascension to heaven, where He would receive full kingly authority from His Father. His stated intention to "then return" clearly points to His Second Coming, an event when He will return to establish His fully consummated kingdom and hold His servants accountable. This parable was specifically told to correct the mistaken belief among some of His followers that the Kingdom of God was about to appear immediately and visibly in earthly power. Instead, it teaches a period of delay and the future return of the King.

Luke 19 12 Context

Luke 19:12 is the opening statement of the Parable of the Minas (Lk 19:11-27). This parable is set as Jesus is nearing Jerusalem (Lk 19:11). The immediate context shows that "they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately" (Lk 19:11). Many believed that with Jesus entering the holy city, the Messiah would immediately establish His earthly, political kingdom, perhaps overthrowing Roman rule. This expectation was prevalent among both the general populace and, to some extent, even His disciples, who struggled to grasp the spiritual nature of His initial reign and the necessity of His suffering and departure. The parable directly addresses and corrects this misunderstanding by teaching about a period of delay between the Messiah's first and second comings, during which His servants are expected to be active and faithful stewards, and His enemies will persist. The historical context for the original audience was familiar with aspiring rulers (like Herod the Great's son Archelaus) traveling to a distant imperial power (Rome) to secure official kingship over Judea. This resonated deeply with their lived experience, including citizens going to appeal against such rulers.

Luke 19 12 Word analysis

• He said: From the Greek εἶπεν (eipen), a simple aorist verb, indicating a straightforward declaration by Jesus. This sets the tone for a direct teaching to counter a prevailing misconception.
• A certain nobleman: From the Greek ἄνθρωπός τις εὐγενὴς (anthrōpos tis eugenēs).
  • ἄνθρωπός τις (anthrōpos tis): "A certain man," common for introducing a character.
  • εὐγενὴς (eugenēs): Means "well-born," "of noble birth," "high-born." This term highlights the character's inherent right to rule and authority by virtue of his lineage and status, a direct parallel to Jesus' divine kingship by divine appointment and eternal being. This character is not striving for status but rather going to claim what is rightfully his.
• went into: From the Greek ἐπορεύθη (eporeuthē), an aorist passive verb meaning "he went on a journey," "departed." It emphasizes the act of going away or leaving a place for a purpose.
• a far country: From the Greek εἰς χώραν μακράν (eis chōran makran).
  • εἰς (eis): "Into."
  • χώραν (chōran): "Country," "region," "land."
  • μακράν (makran): "Distant," "far." This phrase clearly signifies a significant distance and implies a considerable period of absence. In the parable's typology, this represents Jesus' ascension to heaven and His period of reign at the Father's right hand before His return.
• to receive for himself a kingdom: From the Greek λαβεῖν ἑαυτῷ βασιλείαν (labein heautō basileian).
  • λαβεῖν (labein): Infinitive meaning "to receive," "to take," "to acquire." It denotes the specific purpose of his journey.
  • ἑαυτῷ (heautō): "For himself," emphasizes that this acquisition is personal and legitimate.
  • βασιλείαν (basileian): "Kingdom," "kingship," "royal power," "dominion." This is not a future physical land but the actual kingly authority or sovereign power. The nobleman goes to be formally invested with this authority. For Jesus, this points to His exaltation by God the Father to universal reign (Phil 2:9-11; Eph 1:20-22).
• and then return: From the Greek καὶ ὑποστρέψαι (kai hupostrepsai).
  • καὶ (kai): "And."
  • ὑποστρέψαι (hupostrepsai): Infinitive meaning "to return," "to come back." This part of the verse is critical as it promises the definitive reappearance of the nobleman. The anticipation of his return implies a period of absence and an expectation for what will happen upon his arrival (judgment and reward). For Jesus, this is the explicit declaration of His Second Coming (Acts 1:11; Rev 1:7).

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "A certain nobleman... to receive for himself a kingdom": This phrase encapsulates the Messiah's inherent divine authority and His divine appointment to universal reign. It directly counters the notion of a king appointed by human popular vote or one who must violently seize power. Jesus is not seeking a kingdom; He is going to be formally invested with what is inherently and rightfully His by God's decree. This refers to the authority He received at His ascension and enthronement in heaven.
• "went into a far country... and then return": This critical temporal and spatial phrase reveals the dual nature of Christ's reign from the perspective of His disciples and the world. "Far country" denotes His physical absence after ascension, where He reigns invisibly from heaven. The "then return" directly prophecies His second advent, putting an end to the false hope that the full, glorious kingdom would appear immediately. This period of absence emphasizes the call to faithful stewardship during the interim, rather than passive waiting or immediate triumph. It creates the theological foundation for the "already, but not yet" nature of the Kingdom of God.

Luke 19 12 Bonus section

The choice of "nobleman" (eugenēs) connects deeply to the biblical narrative of Jesus as the true King from the lineage of David, divinely appointed by God (Lk 1:32-33; Rom 1:3-4). This also subtly functions as a polemic against the idea of merely an earthly, humanly elected king, contrasting with the real-life historical context where Jewish rulers had to seek appointment from the Roman Emperor. Jesus, as the true noble King, receives His authority directly from God, not from Caesar. The Parable of the Minas emphasizes diligent, active service (stewardship of the 'minas') during the Master's absence, distinguishing itself from other parables that might focus more on readiness for His immediate return (e.g., Parable of the Ten Virgins). The underlying message is a call for continuous faithful service, recognizing that while the King has ascended, His return is certain, and accountability for entrusted resources will follow.

Luke 19 12 Commentary

Luke 19:12 lays the foundation for Jesus' profound teaching on the nature and timing of His Kingdom. By introducing a "nobleman" who travels to a distant land to "receive a kingdom" and "then return," Jesus is portraying His own messianic journey. This single verse dismantles a major misconception among His listeners: that the Kingdom of God would instantly appear. Instead, it posits a divine timetable involving a period of departure (ascension to heaven where He is enthroned and receives all authority, a process distinct from simply having power on earth), and a subsequent, definite return in power and glory. The nobleman's travel and official investiture underline Christ's legitimate, divinely ordained kingship, while the "far country" signifies the inter-advent age, the time between His ascension and His Second Coming. This period is not one of inactivity but a crucial interval during which His followers are to exercise diligent stewardship, anticipating His return for judgment and accountability. It provides theological depth for the Christian waiting period, characterized by faith, work, and patient endurance.