Luke 19:23

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

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}?

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

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

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

Luke 19:23 is a pivotal part of Jesus's Parable of the Ten Minas (also known as the Parable of the Pounds), delivered as He journeys towards Jerusalem and confronts the popular expectation that the Kingdom of God would appear immediately.

Context of Luke 19:23

This verse represents the master's direct rebuke to the third servant, who, out of fear, had wrapped his single mina (a unit of money) in a cloth and kept it safe, rather than investing it. The master's question, "Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?", highlights the servant's failure to engage in even the most basic and risk-averse form of investment. The parable teaches about responsibility, accountability, and the expectation of productivity from those entrusted with resources, anticipating the Lord's return and the ultimate rendering of accounts.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Stewardship and Accountability: The parable emphasizes that God entrusts His followers with various resources—time, talents, spiritual gifts, material wealth—and expects them to manage these for His glory and kingdom advancement. The master's disappointment underscores that mere preservation is not enough; growth and fruitfulness are desired.
  • Consequences of Inaction: The servant's fear led to paralysis and unproductivity. This verse reveals that inaction, or the failure to use what has been given, carries its own severe consequences. The master isn't seeking complex financial schemes but a simple, reasonable return.
  • Divine Expectation of Fruitfulness: Just as the master expected a return on his investment, God expects His people to be productive with what they have been given. This doesn't necessarily imply financial gain but rather actively living out one's faith and contributing to the spiritual harvest. Compare this with the similar themes in the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "usury" (Greek: tokos, τόκος) in this context refers to legitimate interest or profit gained from lending money. While ancient Israelite law often restricted interest on loans to the poor (e.g., Leviticus 25:36-37), it did not prohibit commercial interest on investments or loans between merchants. The master's point is that even a basic deposit in a "bank" (an exchange table or money lender) would have yielded a modest, risk-free return, demonstrating minimal effort and trust in the master's business.

Practical Application

Luke 19:23 challenges believers today to consider how they are "investing" the gifts and opportunities God has given them. Are we actively using our abilities, time, and resources for His purposes, or are we burying them out of fear, apathy, or a misunderstanding of God's expectations? The call is to be active participants in God's kingdom, striving for spiritual growth and outward impact, knowing that we will all give an account of our stewardship (see Romans 14:12).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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