Luke 19:24
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρεστῶσιν
unto them that stood by
G3936
παρεστῶσιν
unto them that stood by
Strong's:
G3936
Word #:
3 of 16
to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or
Ἄρατε
Take
G142
Ἄρατε
Take
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
5 of 16
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
6 of 16
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
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
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
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
δότε
give
G1325
δότε
give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
11 of 16
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
In Roman patronage systems, disloyal clients lost their positions to more faithful servants. The audience understood this redistribution as just: why waste opportunities on those who squander them when faithful servants could multiply them? This principle operated in salvation history: the Old Covenant priesthood (which failed) was replaced by Christ's eternal priesthood; temple worship gave way to Spirit-filled church worship. God's purposes advance through faithful agents.
Questions for Reflection
- What ministry opportunities or spiritual gifts might God be withdrawing because of your unfaithfulness?
- How does watching faithful servants receive more while unfaithful ones lose what they have affect your stewardship?
- Where have you seen God redirect resources from fruitless ministries to fruitful ones?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds (ἄρατε ἀπ' αὐτοῦ τὴν μνᾶν καὶ δότε τῷ τὰ δέκα μνᾶς ἔχοντι, arate ap' autou tēn mnan kai dote tō ta deka mnas echonti)—the unfaithful servant loses even what he had, while the most productive servant receives more. This isn't arbitrary cruelty but kingdom economics: opportunities withdrawn from the faithless are entrusted to the faithful. The aorist imperatives (arate, take; dote, give) are decisive, immediate commands.
This previews Jesus's warning to Jerusalem: 'The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof' (Matthew 21:43). Israel's squandered opportunity passed to the Gentile church. Individually, believers who prove unfaithful in smaller tasks don't receive greater ones; those who faithfully multiply what they have receive more opportunities. This isn't about losing salvation (the mina isn't eternal life) but about kingdom stewardship and eternal rewards.