Luke 19:26

KJV

For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} unto every one {G3956} which {G3588} hath {G2192} shall be given {G1325}; and {G1161} from {G575} him that hath {G2192} not {G3361}, even {G2532} that {G3739} he hath {G2192} shall be taken away {G142} from {G575} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the master answered, ‘I tell you, everyone who has something will be given more; but from anyone who has nothing, even what he does have will be taken away.

Berean Standard Bible

He replied, ‘I tell you that everyone who has will be given more; but the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

American Standard Version

I say unto you, that unto every one that hath shall be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 19:26 encapsulates a profound kingdom principle articulated by Jesus, serving as the concluding declaration of the Parable of the Minas. This verse reveals a fundamental law of divine economy and stewardship: those who faithfully utilize and multiply the resources, gifts, and opportunities entrusted to them will experience further increase and abundance, while those who neglect or fail to engage with what they possess will ultimately lose even the little they had. It underscores the active nature of spiritual and material possession within God's kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic summary of the [Parable of the Minas](/luke/19-11-27 "Luke 19:11-27 - The Parable of the Minas"), which Jesus tells as He approaches Jerusalem, directly after His encounter with Zacchaeus and in response to the disciples' expectation that the Kingdom of God would immediately appear. The parable itself details a nobleman who entrusts ten servants with one mina each before departing to receive a kingdom. Upon his return, he assesses their faithfulness: those who multiplied their investment are rewarded with greater authority, while the servant who merely hid his mina out of fear is condemned, and his mina is confiscated. [Luke 19:26](/luke/19-26 "Luke 19:26 - The Principle of Increase and Loss") is the master's final, overarching statement, explaining the rationale behind the varying outcomes, echoing a similar principle found in the [Parable of the Talents](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents") in Matthew's Gospel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is first-century Judea, a region under Roman rule, where the concept of a nobleman traveling to receive a kingdom would have resonated with the political realities of the time (e.g., Herod Archelaus traveling to Rome to confirm his rule). The mina (Greek: *mna*) was a significant unit of currency, equivalent to about three months' wages for a common laborer, representing a substantial trust. The master's expectation of return on investment (profit) was a standard practice in ancient economies, reflecting a common understanding of financial stewardship. Furthermore, the fear of the "austere" master (as described by the unfaithful servant in [Luke 19:21](/luke/19-21 "Luke 19:21 - The Unfaithful Servant's Fear")) was a common sentiment towards powerful figures, highlighting the servant's misjudgment of his master's character and expectations.

* **Key Themes:** The verse directly contributes to several major themes present in Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. It profoundly emphasizes **stewardship and accountability**, asserting that all individuals are entrusted with resources, gifts, and opportunities by God, and are expected to manage them diligently for His purposes. This principle extends beyond material wealth to spiritual gifts, knowledge, and time, as seen in passages like [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Stewardship of Spiritual Gifts"). It also highlights the **principle of growth and loss**, demonstrating that active engagement and fruitfulness lead to increase, while idleness and neglect result in diminution, a concept also explored in [Matthew 13:12](/matthew/13-12 "Matthew 13:12 - To Those Who Have More Will Be Given"). Finally, it reveals a fundamental aspect of **divine economy**, where blessings and responsibilities are often multiplied for those who prove faithful with what they have, reinforcing the idea that God's kingdom operates on principles of active participation and productivity, not passive preservation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hath (Greek, _échō'_):** This word signifies not merely passive possession but an active state of holding, having, or being in possession of something. In this context, it implies having something entrusted to one's care, whether it be a tangible resource like money, or an intangible gift, opportunity, or responsibility. The nuance suggests that "having" is linked to the capacity for engagement and utilization.
* **given (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb means "to give, bestow, grant, or deliver." It denotes the act of imparting something to another. In the context of the verse, it refers to the master's action of bestowing further resources or opportunities upon those who have demonstrated faithfulness with what they already possess, signifying divine reward and multiplication.
* **taken away (Greek, _aírō'_):** This word means "to lift up, take up, or take away." Here, it carries the strong implication of removal, seizure, or confiscation. It highlights the severe consequence of unfaithfulness or idleness, where even the initial endowment is withdrawn, emphasizing the principle that unused potential or neglected responsibility will eventually be lost.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given;":** This initial clause establishes a universal principle declared by Jesus. The phrase "every one which hath" refers to those who are actively holding, managing, or utilizing what has been entrusted to them, demonstrating diligence and productivity. To such individuals, more will be "given," indicating an increase, multiplication, or greater responsibility as a reward for their faithfulness. This reflects God's pattern of entrusting more to those who prove reliable with less.
* **"and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.":** This contrasting clause presents the stark consequence for those who fail to engage with their endowments. "Him that hath not" refers not to someone who is utterly destitute, but to one who, despite having received something, has failed to utilize it productively or has squandered it. From such a person, "even that he hath"—the very thing he was given—will be "taken away," signifying a loss or forfeiture due to idleness, fear, or unfaithfulness. This emphasizes that passive possession without active stewardship leads to deprivation.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 19:26 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Paradox**, as Jesus states that those who *have* will be given more, while from those who *have not* (in the sense of not utilizing what they have), even what they *do have* will be taken away. This seemingly contradictory statement challenges conventional logic and highlights a spiritual truth about active engagement versus passive possession. The verse also functions as an **Aphorism** or a **Proverbial Statement**, distilling a complex theological principle into a concise, memorable declaration that applies broadly to life. Furthermore, there is an element of **Contrast** through the juxtaposition of "shall be given" and "shall be taken away," emphasizing the two divergent outcomes based on one's stewardship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is foundational to understanding the biblical concept of stewardship, which extends far beyond financial resources to encompass all aspects of life—time, talents, spiritual gifts, opportunities, and even knowledge of God's truth. It reveals a divine economy where God delights in rewarding faithfulness and productivity, not merely passive existence. The principle articulated here is not about God being unfair, but about the natural consequence of engaging or disengaging with His entrustments: active use leads to growth and increase, while neglect leads to stagnation and eventual loss. This underscores humanity's accountability before God for how we manage what He has graciously given.

* [Matthew 25:29](/matthew/25-29 "Matthew 25:29 - The Parable of the Talents' Conclusion")
* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given")
* [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Stewards of God's Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 19:26 serves as a profound call to active, diligent, and faithful living for every believer. It challenges us to honestly assess what God has entrusted to us—our spiritual gifts, natural talents, financial resources, time, opportunities for service, and even our understanding of His Word. The verse encourages us to move beyond mere possession to active engagement, leveraging every blessing for the advancement of God's kingdom and the glory of His name. It warns against the spiritual dangers of idleness, fear, and apathy, which can lead to the diminishment of what we have been given. Instead, we are called to cultivate a spirit of joyful stewardship, recognizing that our ultimate reward is found in faithful participation in God's redemptive work, knowing that our efforts, empowered by His grace, will yield abundant fruit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "minas" (gifts, talents, resources, opportunities) has God entrusted to me?**
* **Am I actively investing and utilizing what God has given me, or am I burying it out of fear or complacency?**
* **How might a greater commitment to faithful stewardship lead to increased spiritual growth and effectiveness in my life?**
* **What specific steps can I take this week to more fully engage with and multiply the gifts God has given me?**

### FAQ

**Does "hath not" in this verse refer to someone who is genuinely poor or disadvantaged?**

Answer: No, in the context of the Parable of the Minas, "him that hath not" does not refer to someone who is genuinely poor or lacking resources from the outset. Instead, it refers to the servant who *was* given a mina (a significant sum) but failed to utilize it. He "hath not" in the sense that he has not *produced* anything with what he was given; he has not demonstrated active stewardship or fruitfulness. His "having" was passive and unproductive. Therefore, the principle is about accountability for what one *has been given*, not about punishing those who are inherently disadvantaged.

**Is this principle only about money or material wealth?**

Answer: While the parable uses money (minas) as its illustration, the principle articulated in [Luke 19:26](/luke/19-26 "Luke 19:26 - The Principle of Increase and Loss") extends far beyond material wealth. It applies to all the "minas" God entrusts to us: spiritual gifts ([1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Using Spiritual Gifts")), natural talents, time, opportunities for service, knowledge of God's Word ([Matthew 13:12](/matthew/13-12 "Matthew 13:12 - Understanding and Receiving")), and even our character and influence. The core message is about faithful stewardship and active engagement with *anything* God has given us, recognizing that spiritual growth and kingdom impact are proportional to our diligence in using what we've received.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 19:26 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied the principle of faithful stewardship and fruitful living. As the Son, He was entrusted with all authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), and He perfectly utilized every aspect of His divine and human nature to accomplish the Father's will. He did not "bury" His divine power or His mission, but actively poured out His life in teaching, healing, serving, and ultimately, in His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, Christ became the ultimate "giver," bestowing upon believers the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and the promise of eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Moreover, in Christ, the principle of "to him who has, more will be given" is transformed by grace: those who "have" faith in Him are given the incomprehensible riches of His kingdom, while those who refuse to "have" Him—who reject His saving work—will ultimately have even their fleeting earthly existence "taken away" in judgment ([John 3:36](/john/3-36 "John 3:36 - He Who Believes Has Eternal Life")). Thus, Jesus is both the perfect example of the faithful steward and the divine source from whom all true "having" and "giving" flow.

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

Luke 8:18

Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

2 John 1:8

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

Matthew 13:12

For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Matthew 21:43

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Matthew 25:28

Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents.

Matthew 25:29

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Mark 4:25

For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.