Luke Chapter 19 · Verse 13
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Original Language Analysis
καλέσας
he called
G2564
καλέσας
he called
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
1 of 16
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
δούλους
servants
G1401
δούλους
servants
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
4 of 16
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
ἑαυτοῦ
his
G1438
ἑαυτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
5 of 16
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἔδωκεν
and delivered
G1325
ἔδωκεν
and delivered
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
6 of 16
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
12 of 16
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
John 12:26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.2 Peter 1:1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:James 1:1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.Galatians 1:10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Historical Context
In the ancient world, masters often entrusted business affairs to servants during extended absences. The servant's responsibility was to invest wisely and increase the master's wealth through legitimate trade. Burying money or hiding it was considered irresponsible (v. 20-21). The parable's structure would resonate with Jesus's audience: a period of absence, delegated responsibility, expectation of return, and final accounting. This framework applies to the church age—Christ has ascended, entrusted His work to His people, and will return to evaluate our faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'pounds' (resources, gifts, opportunities) has Christ entrusted to you during His absence?
- How does the command to 'occupy' (do business) challenge passive Christianity that merely waits for Christ's return?
- What does equal distribution of minas teach about equal responsibility despite varying results?
Analysis & Commentary
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Before departing, the nobleman summons deka doulous (δέκα δούλους, "ten servants") and gives each deka mnas (δέκα μνᾶς, "ten minas/pounds"). A mina was roughly three months' wages—significant but not overwhelming. The identical distribution (unlike the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30) emphasizes equal opportunity and responsibility. Every servant receives the same resources; differences emerge in their faithfulness, not their initial advantage.
The command pragmateusasthe (πραγματεύσασθε, "occupy") is better translated "do business" or "trade." It's an imperative demanding active engagement, not passive waiting. The phrase "till I come" (heōs erchomai, ἕως ἔρχομαι) establishes the timeframe: the servants must work during the master's absence until his return. Christ's followers are not to wait idly for His return but to actively invest His resources for kingdom advancement. The parable teaches stewardship, accountability, and the expectation that disciples will be productive during the inter-advent period.