The Parable of the Minas – Luke 19:11-27 – Inductive Bible Study

Luke 19:11-27

11 While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. 12 So He said, ” A noblemanwent to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.  13 “And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this  until I come back.’  14 “But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’  15 “When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done.  16 “The first appeared, saying, ‘ Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’  17 “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’  18 “The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’  19 “And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’  20 “Another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept put away in a handkerchief;  21 for I was afraid of you, because you are an exacting manyou take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.’  22 “He said to him, ‘ By your own wordsI will judge you, you worthless slave.Did you know that I am an exacting man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow?  23’Then why did you not put my money in the bank, and having come, I would have collected it with interest?’  24 “Then he said to the bystanders, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’  25 “And they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas already.’  26 ” I tell you that to everyone who hasmore shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.  27 “But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.”

  1. What title do you give to this parable?

Not Yet Kingdom Time

Rebellious Subjects

Faithfulness Rewarded

Fruitfulness

From Subject to Ruler

Righteous Wrath

Wrong Perceptions Elicit Wrong Behavior

Slain in His Presence

  1. What other parables have similar characteristics or theme?
    1. The Talents – Believers and unbeliever
    2. Ten Virgins – Believers and unbelievers
    3. Two Foundations – Believers and unbeliever
    4. The Sower – Believers and unbeliever
    5. The Wheat and the Tares – Believers and unbeliever
    6. The Dragnet – Believers and unbeliever
    7. The Unforgiving Servant – Wicked response to a gracious Master
    8. The Workers in the Vineyard – Compensation for work
    9. The Two Sons – Taking unjust advantage of a relationship
    10. The Wicked Vinedressers – Wicked response to a gracious Master
    11. The Wedding Feast – Judgment of unbelievers
  1. Who was Jesus speaking to when He gave this parable?

Jesus was relating to the crowd before and after the parable, but it seems that this parable may have been taught while in Zaccheus’ house and if that’s the case, likely He was just speaking to His disciples, Zaccheus, and perhaps a small number of other guests.

Luke 19:1-3

He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. 3 Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature.

Luke 19:7

When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

Luke 19:11

While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.

Luke 19:36-37

 36 As He was going, they were spreading their coats on the road. 37 As soon as He was approaching, near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the miracles which they had seen,

  1. What was the context for this parable?

They are approaching Jerusalem and the disciples are expecting Jesus to set up His kingdom after arriving there.

 Comparison Chart

Parable of Talents

Parable of Minas

Following Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem Prior to Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem
A man was going on a journey with no reason given A nobleman went to a distant land to receive a kingdom
Three slaves Ten slaves
Money was entrusted to them based on their ability Each slave was entrusted with the same amount of money
Very large sums of money entrusted to them:

1 talent = 30 minas

Modest sums were entrusted to them:

1 talent = 30 minas

No instructions mentioned Instructed to “Do business with this until I return”
No mention is made of people’s attitude toward Him Citizens hated Him and did not want Him to rule over them
He returned “after a long time” He received His kingdom and returned
His return signaled a time to settle accounts:

Accountability

His return was an occasion to see what business His slaves had done: Evaluation
Good slaves: Both doubled their Master’s investment Good slaves: One had a tenfold increase, the other a fivefold increase
Same rewards: 1. Commendation 2. Increased responsibility 3. Entering the Master’s presence Differing rewards: One was to rule over ten cities and the other over five
Wicked slave: 1. Accused Master of evil 2. Feared his Master 3. Buried money in ground 4. Returned the money Wicked slave: 1. Returned the money 2. Hid money in a handkerchief 3. Feared his Master 4. Accused Master of evil
Master’s Response: 1. You are wicked and lazy 2. Refers to the slave’s accusation 3. Rebukes slave for less than minimal effort 4. Talent taken and given to the slave who had ten Master’s Response: 1. Refers to slave as worthless 2. Judges slave by his own accusation 3.  Rebukes slave for less than minimal effort 4. Mina taken and given to the slave who has ten
Lesson: 1.More will be given to the one who has so that he will have an abundance 2. The one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away Lesson: 1.More will be given to the one who has so that he will have an abundance 2. The one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away
Punishment: 1. Referred to as “worthless” 2. Outer darkness 3. Weeping 4. Gnashing of teeth Punishment: 1. Referred to as “enemies” 2. They didn’t want the Master to rule over them 3. The Master commanded that they be brought and slain in His presence
  1. What are the main elements of the parable and what does each represent?
    1. nobleman – Jesus
    2. went to a distant country – heaven
    3. receive a kingdom – God to give Him all authority
    4. then return – second coming of Christ
    5. ten of his slaves – believers
    6. gave them ten minas – general gifts (like eternal life, answered prayer, forgiveness, etc.)
    7. Do business with this – be faithful and productive
    8. his citizens hated him – the Jews hated Jesus
    9. sent a delegation after him – hated His followers too
    10. We do not want this man to reign over us – self-willed, not submissive
    11. ordered that these slaves ……. be called to him – time to look at their works
    12. know what business they had done – evaluation time
    13. made ten (five) minas more – productive, fruitful work
    14. Well done, good slave – commendation
    15. you have been faithful in a very little thing – Master’s evaluation
    16. be in authority over ten cities – reward for faithful service
    17. I kept put away in a handkerchief – unproductive, unfaithful, lazy, no servant heart
    18. I was afraid of you – reaction to the knowledge of God’s power
    19. you are an exacting man – evil thoughts about Jesus
    20. you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow – unfounded accusation against Jesus
    21. By your own words –
    22. I will judge you – Jesus will judge
    23. worthless slave – rebuked for lack of productivity and fruitfulness
    24. Did you know that….. – uses slaves own words against him
    25. why did you not put my money in the bank – minimal effort
    26. collected it with interest – minimal return for minimal effort
    27. bystanders – onlookers, either angels or believers
    28. Take the mina away from him –
    29. give it to the one who has the ten minas –
    30. everyone who has – faithful believers
    31. more shall be given – greater rewards
    32. the one who does not have – either unfaithful believer or enemies of Christ
    33. enemies of mine – unbelievers
    34. did not want me to reign over them – self-willed, not submissive
    35. slay them in my presence – judgment and condemnation of unbelievers
  1. What spiritual principle(s) does this parable teach?
    1. Jesus requires us to be productive in His absence
    2. Jesus is given the kingdom in heaven
    3. His return to earth is to reign over His kingdom
    4. Earthly service is a “warm up” for eternal service
    5. Believers are stewards until the Lord’s coming
    6. One day He will evaluate my service
    7. Some who profess Jesus as Savior actually hate Him
    8. Rewards are proportional to productivity
    9. Men excuse themselves for their unfaithfulness
    10. Men blame God for their own shortcomings
    11. Jesus is a righteous perfect judge
    12. An unproductive slave is worthless
    13. Neutrality isn’t an option in relating to Jesus
    14. Punishment of God’s enemies will be swift and certain
  1. Cross references to this parable?

Matt 25:14-30

14 ” For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.  15 “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.  16 “Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents.  17 “In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more.  18 “But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 

19 “Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.  20 “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’  21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 

22 “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’  23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 

24 “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed.  25’And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 

26 “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed.  27’Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest.  28’Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ 

29 ” For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.  30 “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Acts 1:6

6 So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

Phil 2:9-11

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Luke 16:10-13

10 ” He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.  11 “Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?  12 “And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?  13 ” No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” 

Matt 6:19-21

19 ” Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;  21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Luke 17:10

10 “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'” 

Heb 10:39

39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.

1 Cor 15:10

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

1 Tim 6:18-19

18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

Gen 39:8

8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house, and he has put all that he owns in my charge.

Heb 3:5-6

5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house —  whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

1 Cor 4:1-2

1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

Titus 1:7-9

7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

1 Peter 4:10

10 As each one has received a special giftemploy it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

  1. Questions or problems with the interpretation of this parable.
    1. What are the major differences between the Parable of the Talents and the Parable of the Minas?
    2. Why would the slave have such a poor opinion of his Master?
    3. What are the indications that the third slave was a believer? …an unbeliever?
    4. Why was each slave given the same quantity of money?
    5. Why would the slave keep the mina in a handkerchief instead of in the bank?
    6. What character qualities of the Lord are demonstrated in this parable?
    7. Why did Jesus give this parable?
  1. Based on this parable, what changes in my life does Jesus want me to make?
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