The Parable of the Minas

Luke 19:11-27

Review

• Parables taught about the kingdom of God– Some about its nature– Some about its ruler– Some about its citizens

• In this final parable, we will find some teachings on all 3 points– This parable is similar to “The Talents”– But there are a few differences

Setting

• Luke 19:11– On His way to Jerusalem

•His final trip• In about a week, He will be crucified

– Some thought the kingdom was about to appear•Actually it would, in one sense – the church

– But not the visible kingdom they expected

•Not for a long time in the eternal sense – heaven

– This parable is to correct their understanding

The Parable

• Luke 19:12-14– Jesus uses a historical event as the basis for

this parable•Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, had left

Judea to go to Rome to be made king of Judea

•The Jews hated him and sent a delegation to Rome to oppose his kingship

•Changes some elements to make the point of the parable

– Gives ten servants a mina each– 1 mina = 1 pound (weight) = 100 dinarii

The Parable

• Luke 19:15-27– When he returns as king, he settles

accounts•Some servants did well with their mina

– One had earned 10 mina, another 5»Each judged faithful and promoted

– One had simply hid the mina and returned it» Judged wicked, lost the one mina he had

•Those who had opposed his kingship were then called to account

– Judged to be enemies and were slain

The meaning of the parable

• Explaining that the kingdom would not appear immediately– Jesus (the nobleman) would have to go

away to receive His kingdom•Even after His kingdom begins on earth, it

would not be a visible kingdom

– His disciples (the servants) would be given His word (the mina) with which to work

– Some would refuse to have Him as king (all those who refuse to obey the gospel message)

The meaning of the parable

• When Christ returns as King, visibly– All will be called to give account

•Of those who received the word and worked with it, there will be different degrees of success

– Future responsibility (not reward, all reward is same – heaven) based on faithfulness on earth with these lesser (physical) things

•Disciples who fail to make use of the word will lose even what they had

•Rebels will be condemned to eternity in hell

Lessons from the Parables

• Concerning the nature of the Kingdom– It will spread, despite Satan’s efforts – “The

Wheat and the Tares”– It would start small and grow great – “The

Mustard Seed”– Its influence not easily seen, but grows

throughout the earth – “The Leaven”– How it grows is beyond our understanding,

but based in the Word – “The Growing Seed”

– It is of great value whether searched for (“The Pearl of Great Price”) or stumbled upon (“The Hidden Treasure”

Lessons from the Parables

• Concerning the nature of the Kingdom– The spread of the kingdom will draw many,

but the wicked will not inherit – “The Dragnet”

– Those who refuse to enter the kingdom through the gospel or fail to work for the spread of the kingdom will be rejected and punished – “The Wicked Vinedressers”, “The Wedding Feast”, “The Barren Fig Tree”, “The Great Supper”, “The Talents”, and “The Minas”

Lessons from the Parables

• Concerning the citizens of the Kingdom– Takes people with good and noble hearts –

“The Sower”– Takes mercy – “The Unforgiving Servant”– No greed – “The Laborers in the Vineyard”– Must do the Father’s will – “The Two Sons”– Must be watchful and prepared for the

Lord’s return – “The Ten Virgins”– Must be productive while awaiting the

return – “The Talents” and “The Minas”

Lessons from the Parables

• Concerning the citizens of the Kingdom– Must be grateful for salvation – “The

Debtors”– Must love neighbors – “The Good Samaritan”– Persistent in prayer – “The Friend at

Midnight” and “The Persistent Widow”– Have priorities right – “The Rich Fool”– Humble toward man – “The Lowly Place”– Humble before God – “The Pharisee and the

Publican”– Know they did not earn salvation – “The

Unprofitable Servants”

Lessons from the Parables

• Concerning the King of the Kingdom– He has great love for the lost – “The Lost

Sheep” and “The Lost Coin”– He will forgive if we will repent – “The

Prodigal Son”– He will judge, He will punish the wicked

(“The Wheat and the Tares”, “The Dragnet”, “The Vineyard”, “The Talents”. “The Wedding Feast”, “The Ten Virgins”, “The Minas”, “The Great Supper” and others)

Conclusion

• How wonderful to have all these lessons from the parables– Mt 13:16-17

•Things others had wished to know

– Mt 13:10-11•We have been blessed to know the

mysteries of the kingdom

– Mt 13:12 & Lk 19:26•We have to make use of the word to be

found faithful

• Will we be found faithful?