The Parable of the Ten Minas, recorded only in Luke 19:11-27, is one of Jesus’ most direct teachings on stewardship, accountability, and preparation for His return. Spoken as He drew near to Jerusalem, this parable was designed to correct the widespread misconception that the Messianic Kingdom would appear immediately. Many in the crowd, including Jesus’ own disciples, expected that the time had come for the restoration of Israel’s national glory and the overthrow of Roman rule. But Jesus, knowing that His path led first to the cross and that His Kingdom would be established at a later time, used this parable to teach that there would be a period of waiting—a time during which His followers were to prove faithful stewards of what had been entrusted to them.
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Luke introduces the parable by explaining its purpose: “While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.” Jesus wanted His listeners to understand that His Kingdom would not come in the way or on the timeline they anticipated. The parable illustrates the responsibilities of those who await the King’s return, the accountability they will face, and the consequences for both faithful and unfaithful service.
The story begins with a nobleman who departs to a distant country to be appointed king and then return. This nobleman clearly represents Christ Himself. His journey to the distant country points to His ascension, when He departed from earth to the Father’s side to receive His authority as King. The distant country signifies heaven, and His return points to His Second Coming, when He will establish His rule upon the earth in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Psalm 110:1-2; Daniel 7:13-14). The parable reveals that there would be an interval between the King’s departure and His coronation—a period during which His servants would be tested.
Before leaving, the nobleman entrusts ten of his servants with a mina each, instructing them to “put this money to work until I come back.” Unlike the Parable of the Talents in Matthew’s Gospel, where servants receive differing amounts, here every servant receives the same charge, emphasizing equal opportunity to serve. The command to put the money to work implies diligence and initiative. The servants are not to idly await the master’s return but are to engage in business on his behalf. Each mina represents the responsibilities and opportunities given to all believers in this age—to use what God has entrusted to them for His purposes.
The parable also introduces a sobering element: the subjects of the nobleman hate him and send a delegation after him to declare, “We don’t want this man to be our king.” This detail reflects Israel’s rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Just as the nation once cried out, “We have no king but Caesar,” so here they reject the nobleman’s rule. Historically, Jesus’ listeners might have recalled a similar event involving Archelaus, the son of Herod the Great, who journeyed to Rome to receive kingship and faced opposition from his own people. Spiritually, the parable points to the world’s rebellion against Christ’s rightful rule—a rebellion that will culminate in judgment when He returns.
When the nobleman returns as king, he calls his servants to account. The first servant joyfully reports that his mina has produced ten more. The master commends him: “Well done, my good servant! Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.” The reward is striking—faithfulness in a small responsibility leads to great authority in the Kingdom. Similarly, the second servant reports a fivefold return and is given rule over five cities. The principle is clear: service during the time of waiting determines position and privilege in the age to come. The parable underscores that future reward in Christ’s Kingdom will not be distributed equally but according to faithfulness.
In contrast, a third servant presents his mina untouched, hidden away in a cloth. His excuse reveals his heart: “I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.” Rather than acknowledging his own laziness, he blames his master’s character, painting him as harsh and demanding. The master condemns him with his own words, declaring him wicked and slothful. If the servant truly feared the master, he would have at least placed the mina on deposit to earn interest. The unfaithful servant loses even what he had, his mina given to the one who was most faithful. This illustrates a key Kingdom truth: faithfulness brings increase, while neglect leads to loss.
Finally, the parable ends with a grim reminder of the fate awaiting those who reject the King’s rule: “But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.” This depicts the judgment at Christ’s Second Coming, when He will destroy His enemies and establish His reign (Revelation 19:11-21).
From a dispensational viewpoint, this parable lays out the program of the present age and the future Kingdom. Christ, the nobleman, has departed to heaven and will return in glory. His servants represent all who claim allegiance to Him during the time of His absence. The faithful servants are believers who use their time, gifts, and opportunities for His glory, and they will be rewarded with positions of authority in the Millennial Kingdom. The unfaithful servant pictures those who fail in their stewardship, who will suffer loss of reward at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15). The rebellious citizens stand for the unbelieving world—and in particular unbelieving Israel—which rejects Christ and will face His judgment at His return.
This parable calls every hearer to consider their role in God’s plan. It challenges believers to remain faithful, diligent, and productive as they await the return of the King. For Israel, it served as a warning not to squander their opportunity to receive their Messiah and to fulfill their calling as God’s servant nation. For those who will live through the Tribulation, it will serve as a call to perseverance, reminding them that Christ’s Kingdom will come, and faithfulness will be rewarded.
The Parable of the Ten Minas leaves no room for complacency. It compels each person to ask: Am I faithfully using what has been entrusted to me, or am I neglecting my stewardship? The King will return, and when He does, He will reward those who served Him well and judge those who rejected His rule. The lesson is timeless: what we do now echoes into eternity, determining our place in Christ’s coming Kingdom.
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This post draws from my book, The Parables of Jesus: Covert Communication from the King (Grace and Knowledge Series, Book 7), where I explore the prophetic, dispensational, and practical significance of every parable of Christ.
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