Bible Strands
Luke 19:26
He replied, ‘I tell you that everyone who has will be given more; but the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus delivers this reply to the crowd and his servants immediately after they object to transferring the first servant’s mina to the second. He speaks this in the context of his rejected kingship, contrasting the obedient servants with the hostile citizens who refused to rule over them.
The words — ἔχοντι (echonti) means “is having,” and δοθήσεται (dothēsetai) means “will be given.” These verbs establish the parable’s operational rule regarding spiritual accountability.
The thread — This principle runs through Matthew 13:12, where active possession determines further revelation, and Matthew 21:43, where the kingdom transfers to those who produce its fruit. It also aligns with 2 John 1:8, which warns against forfeiting what has been faithfully worked for.
Why it lands — The text states that spiritual stewardship follows a strict economy: those who actively use what they have will receive increase, while those who do not will lose even their current portion. It demands a reader assess whether they are actively deploying their gifts or allowing them to stagnate.
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
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.
Cross-references
- 2 John 1:8 Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
- Matthew 13:12 Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
- Matthew 21:43 Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.
- Luke 8:18 Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
- Matthew 25:28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.
- Mark 4:25 For whoever has will be given more. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
- 1 Samuel 15:28 So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.
- Revelation 2:3 Without growing weary, you have persevered and endured many things for the sake of My name.
- 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.
- 2 Samuel 7:15 But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.