Luke 19 16

Luke 19:16 kjv

Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

Luke 19:16 nkjv

Then came the first, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned ten minas.'

Luke 19:16 niv

"The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.'

Luke 19:16 esv

The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.'

Luke 19:16 nlt

The first servant reported, 'Master, I invested your money and made ten times the original amount!'

Luke 19 verses

Luke 19 16 Meaning

Luke 19:16 describes the faithful report of a servant entrusted with resources by his master. It conveys the theme of diligent stewardship, where a servant effectively invested and multiplied the capital given to him, demonstrating productivity and responsibility. This action serves as a positive example of managing what has been entrusted by the Master, looking forward to accountability and reward upon His return.

Luke 19 16 Context

Luke 19:16 is part of the Parable of the Minas (vv. 11-27), which Jesus tells as He approaches Jerusalem. The immediate context (v. 11) states that Jesus told this parable "because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately." The audience anticipated an imminent, visible, and political establishment of God's kingdom.

Historically, the parable mirrors a known contemporary practice: aspiring kings or rulers in Roman-controlled territories often had to travel to Rome to receive formal authority or a "kingdom" from the emperor (e.g., Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, went to Rome for this purpose, a fact many listeners would have been familiar with). This provided a relatable framework for the concept of a nobleman departing and then returning as an authorized ruler.

Culturally, the practice of entrusting resources (money) to servants for investment was common, indicating trust and expectation of return. The parable subtly challenges the notion of an instant kingdom, emphasizing instead a period of waiting, diligent labor, and accountability. It also underscores that the "kingdom" received by the nobleman (Jesus) is not a mere earthly dominion, but involves His heavenly reign and subsequent return for judgment and reward. This indirectly addresses the expectation of an immediate political kingdom, by instead painting a picture of an absent, yet returning, king who expects his subjects to faithfully carry out his business in the interim.

Luke 19 16 Word analysis

• Then came the first, (Greek: ēlthen de ho prōtos)

  • Then came: Signifies the initiation of the accounting process upon the master's return. It highlights the direct confrontation and individual reporting.
  • the first: Indicates a specific order. This servant is presenting his account as the initial report, setting a positive tone for diligence, though not necessarily implying he was the "best" but simply the earliest to speak. Each servant, regardless of their turn, is individually accountable.

• saying, ‘Lord, (Greek: legōn, Kyrie)

  • saying: The servant articulates his report verbally and openly before the master.
  • Lord: (Greek: Kyrios) This title acknowledges the master's supreme authority, ownership, and position of judgment. The servant's address demonstrates respect and submission to the master’s domain, affirming who entrusted the resource. For believers, it highlights Jesus Christ's sovereignty as Master.

• your mina (Greek: hē mna sou)

  • your mina: The possessive pronoun "your" is crucial. It underscores that the initial capital, the resource, was not the servant's own but belonged entirely to the master. This signifies that all abilities, gifts, time, and resources possessed by believers originate from God and are to be used for His glory, not their own. A "mina" (Latin mina, Greek mna) was a significant unit of currency, equivalent to about 100 denarii (a denarius was a day's wage), indicating a substantial trust. It represented approximately three months' wages for a laborer, highlighting the seriousness of the trust placed in the servant.

• has made ten minas more.’ (Greek: prosērgásato deka mnas)

  • has made: (Greek: prosērgásato - from prosergazomai) This verb means "to gain in addition," "to acquire by working," "to earn." It speaks of active, productive engagement, not passive preservation or hiding. The servant worked diligently and efficiently with what he was given.
  • ten minas more: This signifies a substantial and exponential return (1000% profit). It illustrates exceptional diligence, wise investment, and successful productivity. The return goes far beyond simply maintaining the initial amount, demonstrating profound faithfulness and fruitful effort in expanding the master's holdings. This quantity serves as a benchmark for high expectation for diligent service.

Luke 19 16 Bonus section

• Distinction from Matthew's Talents: While Luke's parable shares themes with Matthew 25:14-30 (Parable of the Talents), Luke's emphasizes an equal initial endowment (one mina to each servant) with varying outcomes based on effort (ten minas, five minas, none). Matthew's emphasizes varying initial endowments (five, two, one talents) but consistent proportionate faithfulness in doubling. Luke's version highlights that everyone receives something valuable from God, and it's their subsequent use of that gift, rather than the size of the initial gift, that matters most.
• Significance of the "Nobleman" (Luke 19:12): This figure explicitly foreshadows Jesus Christ. His going "into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return" is a direct allegory for Jesus's ascension to heaven after His first coming to receive His spiritual and eternal kingdom from the Father, followed by His promised Second Coming. Thus, the period of the Church is the period during which servants are expected to be diligent.
• The Law of Reciprocity in Kingdom Principles: The ten-fold return illustrates a profound spiritual principle often seen in Scripture: "For to everyone who has, more will be given" (Luke 19:26, Luke 8:18). Those who are faithful with little are entrusted with much more, as God expands the capacity and opportunities of diligent stewards. This encourages active participation and growth in spiritual endeavors rather than idleness or fear.

Luke 19 16 Commentary

Luke 19:16 presents the exemplary report of the first servant in the Parable of the Minas. This servant faithfully invested the mina given by his master, generating a significant ten-fold return. This verse illuminates key Christian principles: stewardship, accountability, and the reward for diligence.

Firstly, the phrase "your mina" underscores that all we possess—gifts, talents, resources, time, and even life itself—ultimately belong to God, our Master. We are not owners, but managers entrusted with His assets. Our task is to understand what God has given us and use it for His purposes.

Secondly, "has made ten minas more" highlights the expectation of fruitfulness and multiplication. God desires that we do not merely preserve what we have been given but actively apply it to produce spiritual and Kingdom returns. This involves purposeful action, wise decision-making, and laboring diligently with what is entrusted to us, demonstrating initiative and growth.

Finally, the servant’s eager report anticipates the master's approval, showcasing the link between faithful labor and ultimate reward. It emphasizes that our service during Christ’s absence on earth is not in vain, but will be acknowledged and recompensed when He returns to establish His full Kingdom and call His servants to account. It's a call to proactive engagement in God's work until Christ's glorious return.