Luke Chapter 19 · Verse 12

Authorized King James Version

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He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

Original Language Analysis

εἶπεν He said G2036
εἶπεν He said
Strong's: G2036
Word #: 1 of 14
to speak or say (by word or writing)
οὖν therefore G3767
οὖν therefore
Strong's: G3767
Word #: 2 of 14
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
Ἄνθρωπός nobleman G444
Ἄνθρωπός nobleman
Strong's: G444
Word #: 3 of 14
man-faced, i.e., a human being
τις A certain G5100
τις A certain
Strong's: G5100
Word #: 4 of 14
some or any person or object
εὐγενὴς G2104
εὐγενὴς
Strong's: G2104
Word #: 5 of 14
well born, i.e., (literally) high in rank, or (figuratively) generous
ἐπορεύθη went G4198
ἐπορεύθη went
Strong's: G4198
Word #: 6 of 14
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
εἰς into G1519
εἰς into
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 7 of 14
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
χώραν country G5561
χώραν country
Strong's: G5561
Word #: 8 of 14
room, i.e., a space of territory (more or less extensive; often including its inhabitants)
μακρὰν a far G3117
μακρὰν a far
Strong's: G3117
Word #: 9 of 14
long (in place (distant) or time (neuter plural))
λαβεῖν to receive G2983
λαβεῖν to receive
Strong's: G2983
Word #: 10 of 14
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
ἑαυτῷ for himself G1438
ἑαυτῷ for himself
Strong's: G1438
Word #: 11 of 14
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
βασιλείαν a kingdom G932
βασιλείαν a kingdom
Strong's: G932
Word #: 12 of 14
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 13 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑποστρέψαι to return G5290
ὑποστρέψαι to return
Strong's: G5290
Word #: 14 of 14
to turn under (behind), i.e., to return (literally or figuratively)

Cross References

Hebrews 9:28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.Luke 20:9Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.1 Peter 3:22Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.Revelation 1:7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.Acts 17:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.Mark 12:1And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.Mark 16:19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.1 Corinthians 15:25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.Matthew 21:38But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.John 18:37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Analysis & Commentary

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. The word eugenes (εὐγενής, "nobleman") means someone of noble birth or high rank. This nobleman journeys eis chōran makran (εἰς χώραν μακράν, "into a far country") to labein heautō basileian (λαβεῖν ἑαυτῷ βασιλείαν, "receive for himself a kingdom") and then return. This detail reflects historical practice: client kings in the Roman Empire had to travel to Rome to receive official appointment from the emperor before returning to rule their territories.

The parable's nobleman represents Christ, who would ascend to heaven (the "far country") to receive His kingdom from the Father before returning in glory. The journey's length implies a period of absence—contradicting expectations of immediate manifestation. The purpose labein basileian ("to receive a kingdom") emphasizes that even Christ's authority comes by divine appointment, not human revolt. His kingdom is established through heavenly investiture, not earthly insurrection. The phrase "and to return" (kai hypostrepsai, καὶ ὑποστρέψαι) anticipates the Second Coming, when Christ will return to judge and reign.

Historical Context

Jesus's audience would immediately recognize the historical parallel to Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, who traveled to Rome in 4 BC to receive confirmation as king of Judea from Caesar Augustus. A delegation of Jews followed him to oppose his appointment (echoing v. 14). Though Augustus gave him the lesser title of ethnarch rather than king, the story was infamous in Jewish memory. By invoking this imagery, Jesus warns that His path to kingship involves rejection, absence, and eventual vindication—not the immediate triumph His followers expected.

Questions for Reflection