Luke 19:23

KJV

Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore {G1302} then {G2532} gavest {G1325} not {G3756} thou {G1325} my {G3450} money {G694} into {G1909} the bank {G5132}, that {G2532} at my coming {G2064} I {G1473} might {G302} have required {G4238} mine own {G846} with {G4862} usury {G5110}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Then why didn’t you put my money in the bank? Then, when I returned, I would have gotten it back with interest!’

Berean Standard Bible

Why then did you not deposit my money in the bank, and upon my return I could have collected it with interest?’

American Standard Version

then wherefore gavest thou not my money into the bank, and I at my coming should have required it with interest?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 19:23 captures the master's pointed rebuke to the unproductive servant in the Parable of the Minas, questioning why the entrusted money was not even placed in a bank to accrue modest interest. This verse underscores the master's expectation of diligent stewardship and a reasonable return on investment, highlighting the servant's failure not only to multiply the resource but even to preserve its value through minimal effort, thereby revealing a deeper issue of fear and distrust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 19:23 is a crucial component of Jesus's [Parable of the Ten Minas](/luke/19-11-27 "Luke 19:11-27 - The Parable of the Ten Minas"), delivered as He was nearing Jerusalem and the people mistakenly believed the Kingdom of God was about to appear immediately. The parable directly follows the account of Zacchaeus's conversion ([Luke 19:1-10](/luke/19-1-10 "Luke 19:1-10 - Zacchaeus the Tax Collector")), which illustrates the transformative power of the Kingdom. This specific verse comes at the climax of the parable's judgment phase, where the master, a nobleman returning as king, scrutinizes the actions of his servants. The first two servants are commended for their faithful and fruitful investment, while the third servant, who buried his mina out of fear, faces the master's sharp condemnation, culminating in this direct question about his failure to even make a minimal, risk-free investment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world of Jesus's day, banking and money-lending were common practices. "Banks" (Greek: *trapeza*) were often tables set up by money changers or brokers in public places, where people could deposit money for safekeeping or for investment that would yield interest. While Old Testament law generally prohibited charging interest (usury) to fellow Israelites, especially the poor ([Exodus 22:25](/exodus/22-25 "Exodus 22:25 - Lending to the Poor"); [Leviticus 25:36-37](/leviticus/25-36-37 "Leviticus 25:36-37 - Laws for Lending")), it did not forbid commercial interest on investments or loans between merchants or foreigners. The master's expectation of "usury" (Greek: *tokos*, meaning "interest" or "produce") was therefore a legitimate and common business practice, even for a minimal, low-risk deposit. The servant's failure to do even this simple act underscores his profound lack of initiative and trust.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It emphasizes **stewardship and accountability**, illustrating that God entrusts His followers with resources—whether spiritual gifts, time, talents, or material wealth—and expects them to manage these for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. The master's disappointment with the third servant highlights the theme of **consequences for inaction and unfaithfulness**, revealing that mere preservation of resources is insufficient; growth and fruitfulness are desired. This parable, alongside the [Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents"), distinctly teaches about the **divine expectation of productivity** from those who have been given much, anticipating the Lord's return and the ultimate rendering of accounts for how we have used what He has graciously provided.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **gavest (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** From a primary verb, meaning "to give" in a very wide application, literally or figuratively. Here, it signifies the act of entrusting or handing over money. The master's question implies that giving the money to the bank was a simple, expected action, a minimal act of stewardship, which the servant failed to perform despite having been "given" the mina.
* **bank (Greek, _trápeza'_):** Literally meaning "table," this term evolved to refer to a money-changer's table or, by extension, a broker's office for loans at interest. It represents a place where money could be deposited safely and yield a return, however small. The master's choice of this word highlights the low-risk, readily available option the servant neglected.
* **usury (Greek, _tókos'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to bring forth" or "produce," *tokos* in this context specifically refers to interest on money loaned, or the "produce" of money. It signifies a legitimate, expected return on investment, even a modest one. The master's point is that even a basic deposit would have yielded this "produce," demonstrating some level of engagement and responsibility.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank,"**: This is a rhetorical question, expressing the master's astonishment and disappointment. It highlights the servant's fundamental failure to engage with the entrusted resource in even the most basic, risk-averse way. The "my money" emphasizes the master's ownership and the servant's role as a steward.
* **"that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?"**: This clause reveals the master's expectation and the purpose of the investment. He anticipated not just the return of his principal but also a reasonable profit or interest (usury). The phrase "mine own" again underscores ownership, while "with usury" signifies the expected growth, however minimal, demonstrating the servant's faithfulness and diligence.

#### Literary Devices
The master's question in [Luke 19:23](/luke/19-23 "Luke 19:23 - The Master's Rebuke") employs a powerful **Rhetorical Question**. This device is not meant to elicit an answer but to emphasize the obviousness of the servant's failure and the master's profound disappointment. It highlights the stark contrast between the minimal effort required (depositing money in a bank) and the servant's complete inaction. Furthermore, the entire narrative is a **Parable**, a literary form Jesus frequently used to convey spiritual truths through relatable earthly stories. The master's expectation of "usury" (interest) functions as **Symbolism**, representing the spiritual "return" or fruitfulness God expects from believers who are entrusted with His gifts, time, and resources. The servant's fear-driven inaction, contrasted with the master's reasonable expectation, also subtly introduces an element of **Irony**, as the servant's attempt to "preserve" the money ultimately leads to its loss and his condemnation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 19:23 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle of stewardship, emphasizing that God, as the ultimate owner, entrusts humanity with various resources—time, talents, spiritual gifts, material wealth, and opportunities—expecting us to manage them faithfully and productively for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. The master's disappointment with the servant who merely preserved his mina underscores that a passive, risk-averse approach to God's gifts is not commendable; rather, active engagement and a desire for spiritual fruitfulness are essential. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that our lives are not our own, and we are accountable for how we "invest" what has been given to us, anticipating the day of reckoning when the Lord returns.

* [Matthew 25:14-30](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents")
* [Romans 14:12](/romans/14-12 "Romans 14:12 - We Shall All Give Account")
* [1 Corinthians 4:2](/1_corinthians/4-2 "1 Corinthians 4:2 - Required of Stewards")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 19:23 challenges us to move beyond mere preservation of our spiritual and material resources towards active and purposeful engagement. The servant's fear led to paralysis, preventing even the simplest, most risk-free investment. This serves as a potent warning against spiritual apathy, complacency, or a fear-driven reluctance to step out in faith and utilize the gifts God has bestowed upon us. Are we "burying" our talents out of a fear of failure, a misunderstanding of God's expectations, or simply a lack of initiative? The master's expectation of "usury" (interest) reminds us that God desires growth and fruitfulness in our lives—not necessarily financial gain, but spiritual maturity, active service, and a tangible impact for His kingdom. Our call is to be diligent, resourceful, and proactive stewards, living with an awareness that we will one day give an account for every opportunity and resource entrusted to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "minas" (gifts, talents, resources, opportunities) has God entrusted to me?**
* **Am I actively "investing" these resources for God's kingdom, or am I "burying" them out of fear, apathy, or busyness?**
* **What is one small, "low-risk" step I can take this week to begin or increase my "return" on what God has given me?**
* **How does the expectation of the master's return influence my daily decisions regarding stewardship?**

### FAQ
**What does "usury" mean in the context of Luke 19:23, and why was it expected?**

Answer: In [Luke 19:23](/luke/19-23 "Luke 19:23 - The Master's Rebuke"), "usury" (Greek: *tokos*) refers to legitimate interest or profit gained from lending money. Unlike the negative connotation often associated with the word today, in this context, it simply means the "produce" or "return" on an investment. The master expected it because depositing money in a "bank" (a money-changer's table or broker's office) was a common and low-risk way to ensure a modest return. While Old Testament law prohibited charging interest to the poor among Israelites ([Leviticus 25:36-37](/leviticus/25-36-37 "Leviticus 25:36-37 - Lending to the Poor")), it did not forbid commercial interest on investments or loans between merchants. The master's point was that even this minimal, risk-free action would have demonstrated the servant's willingness to be a responsible steward and engage with the entrusted resource, rather than letting it lie dormant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Luke 19:23](/luke/19-23 "Luke 19:23 - The Master's Rebuke") directly addresses stewardship and accountability in the context of the master's return, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the reality of Jesus's own return and His reign as King. Just as the nobleman in the parable went away to receive a kingdom and then returned to settle accounts, so too did Christ ascend to heaven after His redemptive work, promising to [return in glory](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - Jesus' Ascension and Promise to Return") to establish His full kingdom and judge the living and the dead ([Matthew 25:31-34](/matthew/25-31-34 "Matthew 25:31-34 - The Judgment of the Nations")). The "minas" entrusted to the servants symbolize the spiritual gifts, opportunities, and the very life believers are given in Christ. Our "investment" is not merely in earthly currency but in the advancement of His gospel and the building of His church, empowered by the Holy Spirit ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")). The expectation of "usury" or return speaks to the fruitfulness that should characterize the life of a disciple who abides in Christ ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ and Bearing Fruit")). Christ's rebuke of the unproductive servant foreshadows the judgment where those who have been given much will be expected to have faithfully used it for His purposes, demonstrating that true faith is active and yields fruit for the Master's glory ([James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith Without Works is Dead")). Ultimately, our stewardship is a response to the grace of Christ, who gave His all for us, empowering us to live lives that bring Him honor and expand His eternal kingdom until He comes again.

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

Romans 2:4

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Romans 2:5

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Exodus 22:25

¶ If thou lend money to [any of] my people [that is] poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.

Exodus 22:27

For that [is] his covering only, it [is] his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I [am] gracious.

Deuteronomy 23:19

Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:

Deuteronomy 23:20

Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.