Luke 19:13

KJV

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he called {G2564} his {G1438} ten {G1176} servants {G1401}, and delivered {G1325} them {G846} ten {G1176} pounds {G3414}, and {G2532} said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846}, Occupy {G4231} till {G2193} I come {G2064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten manim [a maneh is about three months’ wages] and said to them, ‘Do business with this while I’m away.’

Berean Standard Bible

Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said.

American Standard Version

And he called ten servants of his, and gave them ten pounds, and said unto them, Trade ye herewith till I come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 19:13, a pivotal verse within the Parable of the Pounds (or Minas), captures Jesus' instruction to His followers regarding their stewardship and diligence in His absence. As a nobleman entrusts his servants with capital before departing to receive a kingdom, so too does Christ commission His disciples with resources and responsibilities, commanding them to actively engage in His work until His return. This verse encapsulates themes of faithful service, accountability, and the anticipation of the Lord's second coming, urging believers to be productive and prepared.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, immediately preceding His triumphal entry. The Parable of the Pounds (Luke 19:11-27) is told specifically because His audience "thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear" ([Luke 19:11](/luke/19-11 "Luke 19:11 - Disciples' Expectation of the Kingdom")). Jesus uses the parable to correct this misconception, illustrating that there would be a significant delay before the full establishment of His kingdom. The nobleman's departure and subsequent return parallel Jesus' ascension to heaven and His future second coming. The actions of the servants, particularly their diligent "occupying" or trading, directly contrast with the expectation of an immediate, effortless kingdom, emphasizing the period of active discipleship required before the Lord's return and the subsequent accounting ([Luke 19:15](/luke/19-15 "Luke 19:15 - The Accounting Upon Return")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this parable is Jericho, a wealthy city on the route to Jerusalem, where Jesus had just encountered Zacchaeus. The narrative of a nobleman traveling to a distant country to receive a kingdom would have resonated strongly with the Jewish audience. Historically, Judean rulers like Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, had to travel to Rome to receive their authority from the emperor. This historical reality provides a tangible backdrop for the parable's central figure, making the nobleman's journey and return a familiar concept. The "pound" (Greek: _mina_) was a significant unit of currency, typically worth about 100 drachmas or 100 days' wages, signifying a substantial sum entrusted to each servant. This highlights the considerable value of the resources, opportunities, or gifts that the Master (Jesus) bestows upon His followers.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 19:13 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Stewardship and Responsibility**, emphasizing that believers are entrusted with valuable resources—whether spiritual gifts, talents, time, or material wealth—to be managed for God's purposes. The equal distribution of the "pounds" to each servant highlights a universal call to responsibility, regardless of individual capacity, though the subsequent accounting reveals varying returns based on diligence. Secondly, the command "Occupy till I come" powerfully conveys the theme of **Diligence and Productive Engagement**. It is a direct call to active, industrious service, not passive waiting. This theme is central to understanding Christian life as a period of purposeful investment and growth in anticipation of the Lord's return. Finally, the phrase "till I come" explicitly points to the **Anticipation of Christ's Return** and the ultimate day of reckoning, a recurring eschatological theme in Luke, as seen in passages like [Luke 12:35-40](/luke/12-35-40 "Luke 12:35-40 - Parable of the Waiting Servants"). This future event serves as a powerful motivator for faithful and diligent service in the present.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **called (Greek, _kaléō'_):** This word signifies a summoning, often with authority or a specific purpose. Here, it indicates the master's deliberate act of gathering his servants to issue a command and entrust them with responsibility. It implies a personal selection and a direct address, setting the stage for the delegation of duties.
* **servants (Greek, _doûlos'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to bind," _doûlos_ refers to a slave or bond-servant. In this context, it denotes a position of complete subservience and obligation to the master. It highlights the absolute authority of the nobleman over his subordinates and, by extension, God's sovereignty over His people, who are called to willing obedience and service.
* **Occupy (Greek, _pragmateúomai'_):** This crucial verb means "to busy oneself with," "to be engaged in business," or "to trade." It implies active, diligent, and industrious effort aimed at making a profit or increasing an initial investment. It is far more than merely "occupying a space" or "waiting"; it is a command for proactive, productive engagement with the entrusted resources, reflecting a dynamic and responsible faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he called his ten servants":** This opening phrase establishes the master's initiative and authority. The act of calling signifies a deliberate summons, gathering those under his charge for a specific purpose. The number "ten" might suggest a representative group or simply a sufficient number to illustrate the principle, emphasizing that the master's directives apply to all those under his authority.
* **"and delivered them ten pounds":** Here, the master entrusts his servants with a significant amount of capital, a "pound" (mina) being a substantial sum. The equal distribution of one pound to each of the ten servants is notable, suggesting that each is given an initial opportunity or resource base of equal value, underscoring a baseline of responsibility for all. This "delivery" is an act of trust and delegation, empowering the servants to act on the master's behalf.
* **"and said unto them, Occupy till I come.":** This is the core command and the central message of the verse. "Occupy" (from _pragmateúomai_) is an imperative for active, productive engagement, implying trading or doing business to generate profit. The phrase "till I come" sets a clear timeframe and expectation: the servants are to remain diligently active in their assigned task until the master's return, at which point an accounting will take place. This highlights both the interim period of the master's absence and the certainty of his eventual return.

#### Literary Devices
The Parable of the Pounds is a masterful example of **Allegory**, where the narrative elements directly correspond to spiritual realities. The nobleman represents Jesus Christ, who departs to receive His kingdom (His ascension to heaven and enthronement). The servants symbolize His disciples and followers, entrusted with "pounds" that represent spiritual gifts, talents, opportunities, and resources given for the advancement of His kingdom. The "distant country" signifies heaven, where Christ is now seated at the right hand of God, and His "return" clearly points to His Second Coming. Furthermore, the "pounds" themselves function as **Symbolism**, representing the various forms of capital (spiritual, material, temporal) that God entrusts to His people. The parable's structure, with its initial entrustment, period of absence, and final accounting, also employs **Foreshadowing**, preparing the audience for the delay of the kingdom's full manifestation and the future judgment of stewardship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 19:13 is a foundational text for understanding Christian stewardship and eschatological readiness. It teaches that the period between Christ's first and second comings is not one of passive waiting, but of active, purposeful engagement in His work. Believers are not merely consumers of grace but are entrusted agents of the Kingdom, responsible for multiplying the spiritual and material resources God has provided. This verse underscores the divine expectation of faithfulness and productivity, reminding us that our present actions have eternal implications and will be subject to a future accounting before the returning Lord. It challenges us to live with an eternal perspective, investing our lives in ways that honor God and advance His redemptive purposes in the world.

* [Matthew 25:14-30](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents")
* [1 Corinthians 4:2](/1_corinthians/4-2 "1 Corinthians 4:2 - Requirement of Stewardship")
* [Colossians 3:23-24](/colossians/3-23-24 "Colossians 3:23-24 - Working for the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 19:13 serves as a profound and practical call to action for every believer. It compels us to honestly assess how we are utilizing the gifts, talents, time, and resources God has graciously entrusted to us. The command to "Occupy till I come" is a divine mandate for active, diligent, and productive living in the service of Christ. It means not merely existing, but intentionally investing our lives for eternal returns, recognizing that every aspect of our being and possessions is a stewardship from God. This verse challenges complacency and encourages a proactive faith that seeks to multiply the kingdom's influence in our spheres of life, whether through ministry, work, relationships, or financial decisions. Our faithfulness in the small things, and our willingness to take risks for the Kingdom, are demonstrations of our love for the returning Lord and our anticipation of His glorious appearing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "pounds" (gifts, talents, resources, opportunities) has God entrusted to me, and how am I currently "occupying" or investing them for His kingdom?**
* **In what areas of my life am I being passive or unproductive, and how can I cultivate a more diligent and proactive approach to my stewardship?**
* **How does the certainty of Christ's return and the future accounting motivate my daily decisions and long-term priorities?**

### FAQ
**What is a "pound" (mina) in this parable, and why is its value significant?**

Answer: In the KJV, "pound" translates the Greek word _mina_ (μνᾶ). A mina was a unit of currency, not a coin, but a weight of silver, typically equivalent to 100 drachmas. Since a drachma was a common day's wage for a laborer, a mina represented approximately 100 days' wages, or about three to four months' income for an ordinary worker. The significance of this value lies in its substantial nature; it was not a trivial sum. By entrusting each servant with a mina, the nobleman was giving them a considerable amount of capital, emphasizing the significant resources, opportunities, or spiritual gifts that God bestows upon His followers, expecting them to be used productively for His purposes.

**What does "Occupy till I come" truly mean for believers today?**

Answer: The phrase "Occupy till I come" is a translation of the Greek _pragmateúomai_ (πραγματεύομαι), which literally means "to be engaged in business," "to trade," or "to do business." It's an imperative for active, industrious effort. For believers today, it means much more than simply "occupying a space" or passively waiting for Christ's return. It is a command to be actively engaged in God's work, using all the resources, talents, and opportunities He has given us to advance His kingdom and bring Him glory. This includes diligent stewardship of our time, finances, spiritual gifts, and relationships. It implies a proactive, productive, and purposeful life lived in anticipation of the Lord's return, where our faithfulness and fruitfulness will be evaluated ([2 Corinthians 5:10](/2_corinthians/5-10 "2 Corinthians 5:10 - The Bema Seat Judgment")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 19:13, though part of a parable, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself. The nobleman who departs to receive a kingdom and then returns is a clear allegorical representation of Christ. His departure signifies Christ's ascension to the Father's right hand, where He has indeed received all authority and a kingdom ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus"); [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man Receives Dominion")). The "pounds" He entrusts to His servants represent the spiritual gifts, the Great Commission, and the very message of the Gospel itself, which He has given to His church to steward and multiply in His absence ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). The command to "Occupy till I come" is Christ's ongoing mandate to His followers to be active participants in building His kingdom through evangelism, discipleship, and faithful service, knowing that He will surely return to judge the living and the dead and to fully establish His glorious reign ([Acts 1:11](/acts/1-11 "Acts 1:11 - Christ's Ascension and Promised Return"); [Revelation 22:12](/revelation/22-12 "Revelation 22:12 - Jesus' Return with Rewards")). Thus, the parable is not just about general stewardship, but specifically about the Church's mission in the inter-advent period, empowered by Christ's Spirit and anticipating His triumphant return as King.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 25:14

¶ For [the kingdom of heaven is] as a man travelling into a far country, [who] called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

Matthew 25:15

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

John 12:26

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.

1 Peter 4:9

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

1 Peter 4:11

If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 12:7

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

1 Corinthians 12:11

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.