Luke 19:23
Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
that
G2532
καὶ
that
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔδωκάς
gavest
G1325
ἔδωκάς
gavest
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
4 of 18
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀργύριον
money
G694
ἀργύριον
money
Strong's:
G694
Word #:
6 of 18
silvery, i.e., (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e., drachma or shekel)
ἐπὶ
into
G1909
ἐπὶ
into
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τράπεζαν
the bank
G5132
τράπεζαν
the bank
Strong's:
G5132
Word #:
10 of 18
a table or stool (as being four-legged), usually for food (figuratively, a meal); also a counter for money (figuratively, a broker's office for loans
καὶ
that
G2532
καὶ
that
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐλθὼν
at my coming
G2064
ἐλθὼν
at my coming
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
13 of 18
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
14 of 18
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
Historical Context
Jewish law prohibited charging interest to fellow Jews (Exodus 22:25), but permitted it with Gentiles. By Jesus's time, banking systems existed where deposits earned modest interest. The master's suggestion of banking wasn't his ideal (he wanted active trading), but it would have been better than nothing. The point: even minimal engagement beats complete inaction. God doesn't demand what you cannot do, but He does require doing what you can.
Questions for Reflection
- What minimal steps of obedience have you been avoiding while excusing yourself with 'I can't do great things'?
- How does the banking option demolish the excuse 'I was afraid to fail, so I did nothing'?
- Where is God calling you to at least 'put money in the bank' if you're not ready for bold trading?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? (καὶ διὰ τί οὐκ ἔδωκάς μου τὸ ἀργύριον ἐπὶ τράπεζαν, κἀγὼ ἐλθὼν σὺν τόκῳ ἂν αὐτὸ ἔπραξα; kai dia ti ouk edōkas mou to argyrion epi trapezan, kagō elthōn syn tokō an auto epraxa?)—if the servant truly feared failure, he could have deposited the money with bankers (trapeza, literally 'table,' where money-changers worked). Tokos (interest, usury) would have produced modest but guaranteed returns.
The master's logic crushes the excuse: 'You claim you feared my standards, yet you didn't even pursue the safest, most minimal option.' Even 2-5% interest would have demonstrated some engagement. The servant's complete inaction proved his supposed 'fear' was actually contempt. This principle extends to spiritual life: if you can't plant churches, you can support missionaries; if you can't teach publicly, you can disciple privately; if you can't give much, you can give something. Faithfulness at any level beats no engagement.