Luke 19:24

And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give [it] to him that hath ten pounds.

And {G2532} he said {G2036} unto them that stood by {G3936}, Take {G142} from {G575} him {G846} the pound {G3414}, and {G2532} give {G1325} it to him that hath {G2192} ten {G1176} pounds {G3414}.

To those standing by, he said, ‘Take the maneh from him and give it to the one with ten manim.’

Then he told those standing by, ‘Take the mina from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’

And he said unto them that stood by, Take away from him the pound, and give it unto him that hath the ten pounds.

Commentary

Luke 19:24 is a pivotal verse within Jesus's Parable of the Pounds (also known as the Parable of the Minas). It highlights the consequence for the unfaithful servant who hoarded his entrusted resource rather than investing it, and the principle of rewarding diligence.

Context

This parable is recounted by Jesus as He journeys towards Jerusalem, shortly after the conversion of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). The crowd, particularly His disciples, believed that the Kingdom of God was about to appear immediately (Luke 19:11). To correct this expectation and teach about faithful stewardship during His impending absence, Jesus tells the story of a nobleman who goes to a distant country to receive a kingdom and returns to settle accounts with his servants.

Each servant was given one "pound" (Greek: mna or mina), a significant sum of money equivalent to about 100 denarii, or roughly three months' wages for a common laborer. This illustrates the value of what was entrusted. The verse immediately follows the master's rebuke of the servant who buried his pound out of fear, rather than using it to gain more.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Stewardship and Accountability: The core message is that God entrusts His people with various resources – talents, time, opportunities, spiritual gifts – and expects them to be diligently managed and multiplied for His glory. This verse underscores the severe consequences of neglecting this responsibility.
  • Consequences of Unfaithfulness: The servant who failed to invest his pound did not merely lose out on reward; he lost even what he possessed. This is a stark warning against spiritual apathy, fear, or idleness.
  • Reward for Faithfulness: Conversely, the master commends and rewards the servants who faithfully invested their pounds, giving them more authority and responsibility. This principle is further emphasized by the master's command to give the unfaithful servant's pound to the one who had already gained ten.
  • Divine Justice: The verse powerfully illustrates the principle Jesus states in Luke 19:26: "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." This isn't about material wealth but about spiritual diligence and the use of entrusted gifts.

Linguistic Insights

The term "pound" in the KJV translates the Greek word mna (μνᾶ), which was a specific unit of currency in the ancient world. It was a substantial amount, emphasizing that the master's trust was significant. The command "Take from him the pound" (Greek: aphete ap' autou ten mnan) signifies a definitive removal of the privilege and resource, highlighting the master's disapproval of the servant's inaction.

Practical Application

Luke 19:24 serves as a potent reminder for believers today. We are all stewards of God's manifold grace (see 1 Peter 4:10). This verse challenges us to:

  1. Examine Our Gifts: Recognize the unique talents, resources, and opportunities God has given us.
  2. Actively Serve: Instead of burying our potential out of fear, insecurity, or laziness, we are called to actively use what God has entrusted to us for His kingdom's advancement.
  3. Expect Accountability: Just as the nobleman returned to settle accounts, believers will one day give an account of their stewardship (see Romans 14:12).
  4. Embrace Growth: Faithfulness in small things often leads to greater responsibilities and rewards, both in this life and eternally (Matthew 25:23).

The message is clear: God expects returns on His investment in us, and faithful diligence leads to increase, while idleness leads to loss.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 16:2 (2 votes)

    And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

  • Luke 12:20 (2 votes)

    But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?