The Nobleman’s Promotion

This parable sounds very similar to the parable of the Talents in Matthew, and could easily be confused with that one, though there are distinct differences: in particular, in Matthew the parable has a distinct context of a discussion concerning the end times and the second coming of Jesus. The historical placement of this parable of the Minas in Luke, as well as how the parable is told, is very different, and ought not be confused. The differences relate to: The time factor The amount given to the slaves The number of slaves entrusted Those who are punished Noting these differences is important because it affects both the meaning and the interpretation of these two similar parables. Look at the parable: Though it uses money as a means of showing faithfulness, it is not primarily a parables about money, but about the nobleman becoming a king. It is also about the judgement of those who know the nobleman not wanting him to rule over them, though they actually have no say in the matter. The events do not take a long time, but when they transpire, those who are faithful are rewarded, and even the one who is not faithful is doing all that his lord asked on him, is not removed or punished, he is not made a ruler over cities. The punishment is reserved for those who do not want the rule of the King in their lives! This is about the events that are about to take place in Jerusalem when they get there: Jesus will be crowned King as in Philippians 2:8-11: “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Those who do not want Jesus to be King in their lives will get what they want – including the consequences of their sin! Others will have various levels of rewards as the King chooses bestows upon them. The promotion from nobleman to King is not just important for the new King, but it has results for the King’s servants as well! Those who know Jesus will all be better of in the new Kingdom that comes with the King. Application