The parable of the ten servants can be found in Luke 19:10-27. It can be broken down into four divisions:
1.) The introduction (v. 10 - 15)
2.) The minority who made a profit (v. 16 - 19)
3.) The example of one who knew his master and had no profit (v. 20 - 26)
4.) The majority who wouldn't have the master to be their lord (v. 27)
The Introduction (v. 10 - 15)
Luke 19:10-11
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear."
Most people interpret the phrase "to seek and to save that which was lost," to mean that Jesus came to save lost people. I hope to clarify that this isn't the correct interpretation of this particular passage. It must be seen that the word "that" (not "who") is used. Jesus explains to them that He came to redeem that which the nation of Israel had lost. The nation of Israel had failed to fulfill their God-given mission of being His nation through which the rest of the world would be blessed - the nation through which God would govern the rest of the nations. Simply put, Jesus had come to redeem the kingdom. You can see this from what those listening to Jesus expected to immediately appear. They thought that the kingdom of God would appear very shortly. They failed to see the real chain of events that was to transpire, which included the cross and Christ's return to heaven, before the Kingdom was to be established.
In this context, Jesus gives them the parable.
Luke 19:12
"He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return."
Jesus immediately sets them straight in the parable. Jesus, of course, is represented by the nobleman. He makes it clear that the Kingdom would not immediately appear. It will only come after He returns.
Luke 19:13
"And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come."
"his ten servants"
It is important to note this phrase. The number ten has special significance in scripture. According to the work Number in Scripture by E.W. Bullinger p. 243, the number ten is "one of the perfect numbers, and signifies the perfection of Divine order." Bullinger goes on to say, "it implies that nothing is wanting; that the number and order are perfect; that the whole cycle is complete." All the servants are in mind.
"servant" - G1210 doulos - 1) slave, bondman, man of servile condition a) slave b) metaph. one who gives himself up to another's will, those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men c) devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests. 2) a servant, attendant
"occupy till I come"
"occupy" - G4229 pragmateuomai - 1) to be occupied in anything 2) to carry on business 3) to carry on business of a banker or a trader
Many commentators and pastors believe that the parable contrasts the saved and the unsaved. This cannot be the case, because our Lord does not entrust His goods to those who are incapable of rendering service to Him. The unsaved are dead in their sins and trespasses, and are incapable of doing business for the Lord. To interpret this parable as contrasting the saved with the unsaved is to deny the clear instruction of scripture that "salvation is by grace through faith." Doing business is doing work. Ask anyone who does this kind of work for a living and they will confirm this for you.
"I come" - This phrase is a statement of fact. The master is leaving the servants no doubt that he will return. Our Lord has made the same statement of fact to us. His return is undeniable.
Luke 19:14
"But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this [man] to reign over us."
"his citizens"
"citizens" - G4172 - polites - a citizen a) inhabitant of a city or country b) the association of another in citizenship (1) a fellow citizen, fellow countryman.
It is possible for a saved individual to hate their Lord, just as these citizens hated theirs. This hatred comes from loving the world. Consider the following:
"enmity" - G2189 - echthra - 1) enmity 2) cause of enmity
Romans 8:5- 8
"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."
Galatians 5: 19-21
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatredseditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
James 4:4
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
In each of the verses quoted above, the word in bold is the same word. If the verses are read in context with the rest of the book, it is easy to see that those who are being addressed, and the subjects of the address, are saved individuals. It is also important to note the final point in James that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God. This is very important to remember when we come to the end of this parable.
"We will not have this man to reign over us"
These fellow citizens didn't accept the nobleman as their lord. The same is true for many Christians. Many Christians will not have their true and rightful Lord to reign over them, and their lives. They would rather live for themselves. They would rather be friends with the world. They are content with Him being their Savior and nothing else.
Luke 19:15
"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."
This is such an important verse to understand because it contains the point of the whole parable. The nobleman has returned, as promised, and he calls his servants to himself. The exact same thing will happen upon the return of Jesus to this earth to deal with his church. All believers will be called before Him at His Judgement seat. And what will be the subject of this judgement? It will be the exact same thing as it was for those servants. Did they turn a profit for their master?
"had gained by trading" - G1281 -diapragmateuomai - 1) thoroughly, earnestly to undertake a business. 2) to undertake a business for sake of gain.
These servants were being judged as to whether or not they had worked for their master. The same will be said of Christians. Christians will not be judged as to whether or not they had believed on the Lord at the Judgement Seat, but as to whether or not they had served and gained a profit.
Romans 14: 9-12
"For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, [As] I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
The Minority Who Made a Profit (v. 16 - 19)
Luke 19:16
"Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds."
This servant was not just the first guy that the master ran across and began examining. He is first for a reason.
"first" - G4413 - protos - 1) first in time or place a) in any succession of things or persons 2) first in rank a) influence, honor b) chief c) principal 3) first, at the first.
This servant was the first because he was first in rank. He was to be honored because he had gained the most profit for his lord. He was first because of his faithful service. Christians who do the same will also hold a place of honor with our Lord. Consider the following verses when you think of being the first in the Kingdom of our Lord (Matthew 19:30, 20:16, Mark 9:35, 10:31, and Luke 13:30).
"hath gained" - G4333 - prosergazomai - 1) to work besides 2) by working or trading to make or gain besides.
Gain/ profit comes from work, not by faith alone. Again the parallel to the Christian is unmistakable.
Luke 19:17
"And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities."
"good" - G18 - agathos - 1) of good constitution, or nature, 2) useful, salutory, 3) good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy, 4) excellent, distinguished, 5) upright, honourable
It is interesting how this nobleman describes this extremely profitable servant. He is good, and he is useful. For what? Service. He is pleasant, agreeable, excellent, and upright in his master's sight. He is joyful and happy. He is distinguished and honourable. He had chosen to put his master's concerns and matters before his own, and now he was to be honored for it. He had been last, but now he would be first. Oh, that we would all aspire to the same!
"faithful" - G4103 - pistos - 1) trusty, faithful a) of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties b) one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust, c) that can be relied on
This servant had been trustworthy over a very little bit. Now, since he had been proven reliable, he could be given more. The exact same situation rests with Christians. If we will be faithful with the little that we have been given now, our reward in the Kingdom will be much more.
Luke 19:18 - 19
"And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities."
Then comes the second servant. This second servant also turns a profit for his lord, but not as much. The lesson here is that even among the faithful there is a difference made. There will be degrees of faithfulness and therefore degrees of reward. We will reap what we sow.
The Example of One Who Knew His Master and Had No Profit (v. 20 - 26)
Luke 19:20 - 21
"And another came, saying, Lord, behold, [here is] thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow."
"another" - G2087 - heteros - 1) the other, another, other a) to number 1) as opposed to some former person or thing 2) the other of two b) to quality 1) another: i.e. one not of the same nature, form, class, kind, different
Many Christians interpret this servant as being unsaved. I find that this simply cannot be the case. Just because he is described as having a different nature, or that he's from another class, doesn't mean that he is unsaved. There are two major divisions of Christianity: those who are faithful and those who are not. They are different, but they are still all Christians. We use this Greek word in English words like "heterosexual" and "heterozygous." The word "heterosexual" describes someone who is attracted to the opposite sex, but we wouldn't dare say that someone who is attracted to an animal is heterosexual. There are other words used for that. "Heterozygous" is used in genetics to describe a gene in an individual that codes for two different forms of the same trait, with the dominant one being expressed. An example of that is tall and short. Both genes code for the trait of height. They are of the same type of thing, as it were, but a different nature or form. "Heterogeneous" mixtures is another use of the word in English. It describes a mixture whose composition isn't uniform throughout, so that two samples from the same mixture don't have the same properties. The samples are from the same thing, but they have a different quality about them.
We go too far when we deny this servant his status. We also go too far when ones who have been truly saved by our Savior are classified as unsaved when they don't act like it. To do this is to say that the Lord's work isn't sufficient to save. To say this is to assert that we must also act saved to be saved. Salvation is by grace through faith, and nothing else.
Besides that, the focus of this parable isn't on salvation. It is on turning a profit for the Lord. This "other" servant didn't have the same work ethic as his fellows. This is because he wasn't motivated by love like they were.
Galatians 5:5 - 8
"For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion [cometh] not of him that calleth you."
This one did no work, because he had no love for his master. In a similar fashion, Christians who do not love the Lord will not put their desires and ambitions aside for His. As a result, they will have no profit.
This servant did see value in his lord's pound because he hid it. He didn't want any harm to come to it, and he didn't want to lose it. Notice that he hid it in a napkin.
"napkin" - G4676 - soudarion - 1) a handkerchief, 2) a cloth for wiping perspiration from the face and for cleaning the nose and also used in swathing the head of a corpse.
He hid it in a napkin. A napkin that was supposed to be used to wipe away the sweat from his face that had accumulated through his labors for his master. A napkin that was supposed to be used to cover the head of his corpse. He was supposed to die to his own concerns and aspirations and live for his master. His napkin wasn't used for either of those purposes. It was used to prevent the pound from gaining and to cover it up instead. Christians can be guilty of the very same offense to their Lord, and it will be for exactly the same reason. Some will not love their Lord. They may still see the worth of what the Lord has entrusted to them, but that doesn't mean that they love their Lord. Even those who know their Lord are capable of this offense.
"For I feared thee because thou art an austere man,"
"feared" - G5399 - phobeo - 1) to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away) a) to put to flight, b) to fear, be afraid, 1) to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm, c) of those startled by strange sights or occurrences, d) of those struck with amazement 1) fear, be afraid of one 2) to fear (i.e. hesitate) to do something (for fear of harm) e) to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience.
"austere" - G840 - austeros - 1) of mind and manners; harsh, rough, rigid
This servant had feared his lord because he knew that his lord's judgment would be rigid. There would be no looking over any detail, because there would be an exact rendering. There was to be no appeals court. His fear had made him hesitate to serve. While the man's assessment is correct, he had forgotten other aspects of his lord's character. His lord was also generous to his servants who would faithfully serve. Christians do the same. We often focus in on only one aspect of our Lord's character and forget the other aspects. To do so also impedes or prevents our service. He isn't just a God of grace and love, but He is also a God of justice and righteousness.
Hebrews 2:1 - 4
"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him]; God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? "
Hebrews 3:12 - 4:1
"For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end, While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.But with whom was he grieved forty years? [was it] not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
It is proper to fear God when we have a need to fear Him. Those who serve Him and have the "slate clean" with Him have no need to fear Him. It is like any good parent whose children have no need to fear them when they are obedient and everything is right between them, but when the children are disobedient and there are unconfessed wrongs, then there is a need to fear. Consider the following:
Jude 1:21 - 25
"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."
1 John 4: 15 - 19
"Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us."
2 Corinthians 5:9 - 11
"Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences."
In each of the verses quoted, "fear" is the exact word used in Luke 19, or a very closely related word in the case of "terror." So we have a progression. A Christian who hasn't kept himself in the love of God should be saved (delivered) from his error of not placing Christ as the Lord of his life through fear. Fear for the exact rendering he will receive at the Judgment Seat. But it shouldn't end there. That Christian should not stay in fear, he should mature toward love. This love will cast out the fear of a strict judgment, because he has nothing to fear. There is no "whipping" coming his way. There is a rewarding coming his way because he has begun to serve out of love. He has begun to be faithful.
Luke 19:22 - 23
"And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, [thou] wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? "
"wicked servant" - G4190 - poneros - 1) full of labours, annoyances, hardships (a) pressed and harassed by labours, (b) bringing toils, annoyances, perils, of a time full of peril to Christian faith and steadfastness; causing pain and trouble 2) bad, of a bad nature or condition (a) in a physical sense; diseased or blind (b) in an ethical sense; evil, wicked, bad.
It is possible for the servants of God to be called wicked and to commit things that are wicked. Consider the following verses in their context.
James 4: 15 - 17
"For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.
This particular passage perfectly describes this servant. He KNEW to do good and did it not.
Hebrews 3: 12 - 14
"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;"
Again, this passage perfectly describes this servant. He was hardened. His heart was hard toward his Lord. He was not made a partaker with his master. Christians who do the same won't be either.
The highlighted word "evil" in each of the passages is the exact same word used in the parable for "wicked."
"Thou knewest"
The nobleman doesn't deny that he is any of the things that his servant said he was. In fact, he makes the point that the servant knew what kind of master he was. This servant was guilty of knowing his master and his expectations of him, and then failing to serve. This, to me, is the height of stupidity. Christians who know their master's will and fail to perform it will be guilty of the same level of stupidity.
Luke 19: 24 - 26
"And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give [it] to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 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."
There are consequences for not serving in love. This servant lost what was given to him. This cannot be a description of loss of salvation, otherwise salvation isn't by grace through faith. He had failed to work by love. This loss is possible for the Christian as well. Consider the following:
1 Corinthians 3:15
"If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
Another thing to consider is that profit doesn't come from just doing one's duty. Profit only comes when we serve out of love.
Luke 17: 7 -10
"But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."
Being rewarded in the Kingdom takes more than just doing one's duty as a Christian. It takes one serving out of love.
The Majority Who Wouldn't Have the Nobleman to be Their Lord
Luke 19:27
"But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me."
"enemies" - G2190 - echthros - 1) hated, odious, hateful, 2) hostile, hating, and opposing another a) used of men as at enmity with God by their sin 1) opposing (God) in mind, 2) a man that is hostile 3) a certain enemy, 4) the hostile one, 5) the devil who is the most bitter enemy of the divine government.
The remaining seven servants are described as enemies of the nobleman. Doubtless, these were ones who not only did no loving service for their lord, but didn't even try to preserve what he had given to them. They were enemies because they opposed their master. Is it possible that Christians could be guilty of the same? Without a doubt.
Philippians 3:17 - 19
"Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, [that they are] the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
James 4: 1 - 11
"From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
Hebrews 2:1 - 4
"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let [them] slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him]; God also bearing [them] witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? "
A Christian who minds earthly things is the enemy of God. He is a carnal Christian.
These servants were commanded to be brought forth to their master and then be slain in front of him. What could this mean for the Christian who has also treated his Lord in the same manner? The same fate rests on them. They will lose their life (soul) at the Judgment Seat of Christ. They will be sent to Outer Darkness.
2 Peter 2:1 - 2 and 12 -17
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. "
"But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever."
Romans 8:6 - 15
"For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
It is clear from this parable, that Jesus is trying to teach us that He is seeking profit from His servants. Profit only comes from work that is done out of love for our Master. Those who do it will be rewarded with positions of rulership in the Kingdom. Those who are fearful and do not turn a profit will suffer loss and be ruled over in the Kingdom. Those who reject Him as their Master and don't value what He has given them will lose their lives (soul) and be cast into Outer Darkness. Let's endeavor to be loving servants of our Lord.
