Titus Destroying Jerusalem by Wilhelm von Kaulbach (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At first glance, the parable of the ten minas in Luke 19:11-27 appears to be a repeat of the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). There are some differences, however. As commentators have noted, Jesus would often modify His teachings to fit different people and the circumstances.

Luke tells us in verse 11 that He told this parable “because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.”The significance of being near to Jerusalem is likely a reference to the destruction of the people who rejected the nobleman as their king (verse 27), as compared to the A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem. The leaving and returning of the nobleman was to show that there would be no imminent military coup putting Jesus on a throne.

The ten minas were about equal to three months wages for a common laborer. Here, the nobleman gave each of the servants one mina, whereas in the parable of the talents, he gave them according to their abilities. We are all given the same word of God to use to broaden God’s kingdom. We are expected to use it to the best of our abilities. It does not matter that we may not be able to so as well a some others do. It does matter that we would do nothing at all.

(This year’s reading plan for Luke, Acts, and 1 and 2 Chronicles averages just 15 verses per day – 5 days per week!)
Schedule for this week
Read or listen to audio of today’s selection from Luke here
Read or listen to audio of today’s selection from 2 Chronicles here

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.