Luke 19 17

Luke 19:17 kjv

And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

Luke 19:17 nkjv

And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.'

Luke 19:17 niv

"?'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'

Luke 19:17 esv

And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.'

Luke 19:17 nlt

"'Well done!' the king exclaimed. 'You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.'

Luke 19 verses

Luke 19 17 Meaning

Luke 19:17 reveals the principle of divine reward for faithful stewardship. The nobleman, representing Christ, commends his servant for trustworthiness in managing a small entrusted sum. The servant's diligence and integrity in a seemingly minor responsibility lead to a vastly magnified reward: administrative authority over a significant number of cities. This verse teaches that God values faithfulness, regardless of the initial scale of our abilities or opportunities, and He will reward it with increased responsibility and blessings in His coming kingdom.

Luke 19 17 Context

Luke 19:17 is part of the Parable of the Minas, recounted by Jesus as He journeyed towards Jerusalem, nearing the city (Lk 19:11). The immediate context for telling this parable was the mistaken belief among His followers that the Kingdom of God would appear immediately upon their arrival in Jerusalem. To correct this misconception and to illustrate the necessity of faithful stewardship during an intervening period, Jesus tells the story of a nobleman who goes to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself and then returns.

This specific verse is the nobleman's commendation and reward to one of his servants who faithfully managed the financial sum (mina) entrusted to him. Historically, it was common for prominent individuals in Roman-governed regions to travel to Rome to petition for or receive governing authority (a kingdom or province) from the emperor. This return would be a time of accountability and reassessment of their household and regional affairs, making the parable relatable to the original audience and highlighting the concept of future divine judgment and recompense.

Luke 19 17 Word analysis

• And he said unto him, 'Well done, good servant;

  • "Well done" (Εὖ, Eu): An exclamation of praise and approval. It signifies complete satisfaction with the servant's performance. It's a qualitative assessment – implying not just completion of a task, but excellence in how it was performed.
  • "good" (ἀγαθὲ, agathe): Refers to inherent moral quality and excellence. The servant's actions reveal his character as righteous and worthy. It's not just "effective," but "morally commendable."
  • "servant" (δοῦλε, doule): Literally "slave" or bond-servant. This emphasizes the absolute ownership of the master and the inherent obligation of the servant to obey. It speaks to complete submission and belonging to the master. This underscores that our resources and abilities are not our own but are entrusted to us by God, our true Master.

• because thou hast been faithful in a very little,

  • "because" (ὅτι, hoti): Introduces the reason or ground for the commendation and reward. The commendation is directly conditional on the servant's faithfulness.
  • "thou hast been faithful" (ἐγένου πιστὸς, egenou pistos): "Faithful" (πιστὸς, pistos) means trustworthy, dependable, reliable, loyal, steadfast. It emphasizes integrity, commitment, and consistency over time in fulfilling the entrusted duty. This is the crucial characteristic valued by the master.
  • "in a very little" (ἐν ἐλαχίστῳ, en elachistō): "Very little" (ἐλάχιστος, elachistos) is the superlative form of "small" (ὀλίγος, oligos), meaning "the very least," "smallest possible." It highlights the seemingly insignificant amount initially entrusted (one mina for each of ten servants, contrasted with the talents in Matthew which were larger sums). This underscores that the scale of the task is not what matters, but the degree of faithfulness applied to it.

• have thou authority over ten cities."

  • "have thou authority" (ἔχε ἐξουσίαν, eche exousian): "Authority" (ἐξουσίαν, exousian) means power, jurisdiction, right to rule or command. It is a direct delegation of the master's own power. It is a promotion from being managed to being a manager.
  • "over ten cities" (ἐπάνω δέκα πόλεων, epanō deka poleōn): "Ten cities" is a significant increase from one mina. It's an immense reward, signifying administrative control, influence, and rulership over a substantial domain. This is not just a monetary return, but a promotion in status and responsibility within the nobleman's kingdom. Metaphorically, for believers, it speaks of expanded responsibility and co-reigning with Christ in His eternal kingdom.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "Well done, good servant": This phrase combines approval of the action ("well done") with affirmation of the character ("good servant"). The master sees the fidelity of the servant's heart and execution. It conveys a personal, appreciative acknowledgment, establishing a foundation of genuine approval.
• "because thou hast been faithful in a very little": This clearly articulates the basis for the reward. It highlights the divine principle that faithfulness in seemingly small or insignificant matters is foundational for being entrusted with greater responsibilities. God doesn't measure success by grandiosity but by fidelity to what is given. The phrase implies diligent use and growth, not mere preservation.
• "have thou authority over ten cities": This is the nature of the reward—a significant, disproportional increase in responsibility and influence, far beyond the initial investment. It represents participation in the master's reign and dominion, symbolizing the spiritual authority and co-regency believers will experience in God's eternal kingdom for their earthly faithfulness. The "cities" denote tangible, measurable jurisdiction and power.

Luke 19 17 Bonus section

The disproportionate reward in Luke 19:17 emphasizes God's abundant generosity and the immense value He places on faithfulness. The "ten cities" as a reward highlight that future blessings are often tied to expanded capacity and opportunities for greater service within God's eternal purposes, not merely a comfortable repose. It signifies a tangible role in Christ's millennial and eternal reign, showcasing the partnership God desires with His faithful followers. This parable also implicitly argues against spiritual laziness or fear of failure, encouraging believers to invest their spiritual capital and grow it for the Master's glory, rather than burying it out of caution or inaction. The example provided contrasts sharply with the unfaithful servant who squandered opportunity.

Luke 19 17 Commentary

Luke 19:17 distills a core principle of the Christian life: God's commendation and future reward are based on present faithfulness, particularly in the seemingly small responsibilities He entrusts to us. The "mina" represents various forms of stewardship: time, talents, resources, opportunities, or spiritual gifts. What matters is not the magnitude of what we possess or are given, but how diligently and loyally we use it for the Master's purposes while awaiting His return.

The master's commendation, "Well done, good servant," underscores divine approval that values character and integrity as much as, if not more than, outcome. The servant is called "good" because his actions demonstrated his virtuous nature. His "faithfulness" in the "very little" is the non-negotiable prerequisite for receiving more. This faithfulness isn't just about avoiding loss but about active engagement, wise management, and profitable growth.

The reward—authority over ten cities—is disproportionate to the initial "very little" mina. This illustrates God's abundant generosity. It is not merely a bonus, but a promotion into greater service and leadership within His coming kingdom. This reward is about expanded capacity, privilege, and responsibility, mirroring the desire for those who prove themselves worthy of trust in the present age. It speaks of the believer's co-regency with Christ in the New Heavens and New Earth. It's an encouragement for every believer to understand that every seemingly small act of obedience, every diligent effort in one's given sphere, and every faithful exercise of spiritual gifts, is noted and will be magnificently honored in the end. This challenges us to be trustworthy stewards of our gifts, relationships, and responsibilities, knowing that our "little" matters greatly to the Lord.