“Well done, my good servant!”

Read Luke 19:11-27

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This parable occurs only in Luke. The parable of the talents (Mt.25:14-30) is similar but the point is different. Here it provides a bridge between the journey section and the final ministry in Jerusalem. Jesus told this parable “because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once” (11). The climax was indeed at hand but it would be very different to what they expected.

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The story emphasises that the end is not yet and that first the nobleman must go away to be made king (12). During his absence faithfulness would be required (13). The parable of the talents teaches that we don’t all have the same gifts but here the same sum is given to all and the meaning is that “we all have one basic task, that of living out our faith” (Morris). Those who do so faithfully will be entrusted with greater responsibility and blessing (26; 8:18; Mt.13:12; Mt.25:29).

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There is a secondary theme too about “enemies who did not want me to be king” (14,27). As Jesus now goes on boldly towards his death, the parable speaks of those who will have him killed and calls his disciples to look ahead to that time when he will no longer be with them (Jn.16:16).