Bible Strands
Luke 19:17
His master replied, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The master addresses the first servant immediately after the servant reports that his mina produced ten additional minas. This response occurs within the parable of the minas, positioned between the accounting of the other two servants.
The words — The master uses εὖγε (euge), literally "well done," and ἀγαθὲ (agathe), meaning "good," to commend the servant's conduct. He grounds the reward with ὅτι (hoti), "because," explicitly tying the master's declaration to the servant's demonstrated faithfulness.
The thread — The principle that faithful handling of little yields greater responsibility appears in Luke 16:10 and Matthew 25:21. Revelation 2:26 similarly promises authority over the nations to the one who overcomes and endures.
Why it lands — The text states that present faithfulness in small matters directly determines future authority over cities. It requires readers to assess their current stewardship as the non-negotiable prerequisite for any future trust, without relying on merit or emotion.
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 said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
Cross-references
- Luke 16:10 Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
- Matthew 25:21 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
- Revelation 2:26 And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations.
- 1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.
- 1 Peter 1:7 so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- Genesis 39:4 Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.
- 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
- Luke 22:30 so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- Romans 2:29 No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.
- 2 Timothy 2:10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.