Luke Chapter 19 · Verse 26

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

Original Language Analysis

λέγω I say G3004
λέγω I say
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 1 of 19
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 2 of 19
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὑμῖν unto you G5213
ὑμῖν unto you
Strong's: G5213
Word #: 3 of 19
to (with or by) you
ὅτι That G3754
ὅτι That
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 4 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
παντὶ unto every one G3956
παντὶ unto every one
Strong's: G3956
Word #: 5 of 19
all, any, every, the whole
τοῦ which G3588
τοῦ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔχει hath G2192
ἔχει hath
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 7 of 19
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
δοθήσεται shall be given G1325
δοθήσεται shall be given
Strong's: G1325
Word #: 8 of 19
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ἀπ' from G575
ἀπ' from
Strong's: G575
Word #: 9 of 19
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
δὲ and G1161
δὲ and
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 10 of 19
but, and, etc
τοῦ which G3588
τοῦ which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ not G3361
μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 12 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἔχει hath G2192
ἔχει hath
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 13 of 19
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ even G2532
καὶ even
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 14 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὃ that G3739
ὃ that
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 15 of 19
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔχει hath G2192
ἔχει hath
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 16 of 19
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἀρθήσεται shall be taken away G142
ἀρθήσεται shall be taken away
Strong's: G142
Word #: 17 of 19
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 #: 18 of 19
"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 #: 19 of 19
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

Matthew 13:12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.Luke 8:18Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.2 John 1:8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.Matthew 21:43Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.Mark 4:25For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.Revelation 2:3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.1 Samuel 15:28And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.1 Samuel 2:30Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.Revelation 3:11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.Luke 16:3Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

Analysis & Commentary

For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him (λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι παντὶ τῷ ἔχοντι δοθήσεται, ἀπὸ δὲ τοῦ μὴ ἔχοντος καὶ ὃ ἔχει ἀρθήσεται, legō gar hymin hoti panti tō echonti dothēsetai, apo de tou mē echontos kai ho echei arthēsetai)—this principle appears three times in the Gospels (Matthew 13:12, 25:29, Mark 4:25), underscoring its importance. The future passives (dothēsetai, shall be given; arthēsetai, shall be taken away) indicate divine action: God orchestrates this redistribution.

This 'Matthew principle' operates across Scripture: those who use knowledge gain understanding; those who neglect it lose even basic comprehension. Those who exercise faith receive more faith; those who bury it lose assurance. Those who invest gifts develop skills; those who neglect them atrophy. Spiritually: those who respond to light receive more revelation; those who resist lose even the light they had (Romans 1:21-28). This isn't arbitrary but reflects how God's kingdom operates: use it or lose it. Stewardship demands engagement.

Historical Context

This principle would have resonated with Jesus's audience: farmers who worked their land prospered and expanded; those who neglected it lost everything. Merchants who traded goods multiplied wealth; those who hoarded stagnated. Disciples who followed Jesus closely received deeper teaching; casual followers drifted away. The principle still operates: faithful churches grow in opportunity; unfaithful ones decline. Individual believers who walk in obedience receive more grace to obey; those who resist grieve the Spirit and harden.

Questions for Reflection