King James Version

What Does Luke 19:15 Mean?

Luke 19:15 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be call... — study this verse from Luke chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

Luke 19:15 · KJV


Context

13

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. pounds: mina, here translated a pound, is twelve ounces and an half: which according to five shillings the ounce is three pounds two shillings and sixpence

14

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

15

And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

16

Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

17

And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When he was returned, having received the kingdom (ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ ἐπανελθεῖν αὐτὸν λαβόντα τὴν βασιλείαν, egeneto de en tō epanelthein auton labonta tēn basileian)—the nobleman's return mirrors Christ's Second Coming after receiving kingdom authority from the Father. He commanded these servants to be called (εἶπεν φωνηθῆναι αὐτῷ τοὺς δούλους, eipen phōnēthēnai autō tous doulous), initiating the reckoning. The purpose: that he might know how much every man had gained by trading (ἵνα γνοῖ τί διεπραγματεύσαντο, hina gnoi ti diepragmateusanto)—not because he was ignorant, but to publicly acknowledge faithfulness.

This depicts the bēma (judgment seat) of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), where believers give account of their stewardship. The Greek diapragmateuomai (to gain by trading) emphasizes active engagement, not passive holding. The mina (μνᾶ, mna, about three months' wages) represents gospel opportunities, spiritual gifts, and kingdom responsibilities entrusted equally to all believers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The parable reflects first-century Palestinian economics where aristocrats traveled to Rome to receive client-kingdom appointments from the emperor. Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, did exactly this in 4 BC—traveling to Rome to receive Judea while a Jewish delegation followed to oppose him. The audience would immediately grasp the political subtext: Jesus would leave (ascension), receive His kingdom (session at God's right hand), then return to settle accounts. The reckoning day was certain, though its timing unknown.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty of Christ's return and reckoning shape your daily use of time, gifts, and opportunities?
  2. What does it mean that the nobleman tested servants with 'a very little' before granting greater authority?
  3. How should the coming judgment motivate faithful engagement rather than passive waiting?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
καὶ1 of 25

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐγένετο2 of 25

it came to pass

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἐν3 of 25

that when

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ4 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐπανελθεῖν5 of 25

was returned

G1880

to come up on, i.e., return

αὐτῷ6 of 25

he

G846

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

λαβόντα7 of 25

having received

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

τὴν8 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλείαν9 of 25

the kingdom

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

καὶ10 of 25

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν11 of 25

he commanded

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

φωνηθῆναι12 of 25

to be called

G5455

to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation

αὐτῷ13 of 25

he

G846

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

τοὺς14 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δούλους15 of 25

servants

G1401

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

τούτους16 of 25

these

G5128

these (persons, as objective of verb or preposition)

οἷς17 of 25

to whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἔδωκεν18 of 25

he had given

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

τὸ19 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀργύριον20 of 25

the money

G694

silvery, i.e., (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e., drachma or shekel)

ἵνα21 of 25

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

γνῷ22 of 25

he might know

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τί23 of 25

every man

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

τί24 of 25

every man

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

διεπραγματεύσατο25 of 25

had gained by trading

G1281

to thoroughly occupy oneself, i.e., (transitively and by implication) to earn in business


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 19:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 19:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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