Bible Strands
Luke 19:13
Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus narrates a parable to his followers as he approaches Jerusalem, describing a man of noble birth who departs for a distant country to secure his kingship. The statement occurs immediately before the text notes that the man’s subjects reject his rule.
The words — καλέσας (kalesas) means “having called,” and ἔδωκεν (edōken) means “he gave.” These verbs establish the deliberate transfer of authority and resources from the master to his servants.
The thread — The delegation of resources to servants recurs in Matthew 25:14, while the expectation of faithful service echoes John 12:26 and 1 Corinthians 12:7. These passages collectively frame stewardship as a shared responsibility under a departing authority.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate commercial activity during the master’s absence, leaving the servants to demonstrate their fidelity through action. A reader must decide whether to engage the entrusted resources or wait passively for the return.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Cross-references
- Matthew 25:14 For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions.
- John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
- 1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
- Romans 12:6 We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;
- 1 Corinthians 12:28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
- 2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
- James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.
- Galatians 1:10 Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.