Luke 19:17
in Luke 19His master replied, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
And he said unto him, Well done, thou good servant: because thou wast found faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
KJV
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
⋯
This verse in Luke 19
Commentary
17 notes on this verseBut the ten cities are the souls over whom he is rightly placed who has deposited in the minds of men his Lord's money and the holy words, which are tried as silver is tried in the fire. For as Jerusalem is said to be built as a city, (Ps. 121:3.) so are peace-making souls. And as angels have rule, so have they who have acquired the life of angels. It follows, And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound has gained five pounds.
This site's exposition
what each one had earned
on Luke 19:15-19
The master summoned the servants to find out what each one had earned, so the minas were for use. Ten minas win ten cities and five win five, rule for being faithful in a very small matter. This answers the servant saying of chapter 17 from the other side.
This site's exposition
faithful in a very small matter
Ten cities repay a very small matter. The Ancient Greek Expositor reads the ten cities as the reward of the servant's own good works. Bede calls that servant faithful who does not adulterate the word of God.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers4 voices
What you have offered to God you shall receive back multiplied. Something like this, although put in another way, is related in the Gospels when in a parable someone received a pound that he might engage in business, and the master of the house demanded the money. If you have caused five to be multiplied to ten, then they are given to you. Hear what Scripture says, "Take his pound, and give it to him who has ten pounds."We therefore appear at least to engage in business for the Lord, but the profits of the business go to us. We appear to offer sacrifice to the Lord, but the things we offer are given back to us. God does not need anything, but he wants us to be rich. He desires our progress through each, individual thing.
(Hom. 78. in Matt. Mat. 25.) This parable as it is related in Luke is different from that given in Matthew concerning the talents. For in the former indeed out of one and the same principal there were different sums produced, seeing that from the profits of one pound received, one servant brought five, another ten pounds. But with Matthew it is very different. For he who received two pounds, thereto added two more. He who received five, gained as much again. So the rewards given are unlike also.
(de Quæst. Evan. lib. ii. qu. 46.) Or else; That one of those who well employed their money gained ten pounds, another five, signifies that they acquired them for the flock of God, by whom the law was now understood through grace, either because of the ten commandments of the law, or because he, through whom the law was given, wrote five books; and to this belong the ten and five cities over which He appoints them to preside. For the manifold meanings or interpretations which spring up concerning some individual precept or book, when reduced and brought together in one, make as it were a city of living eternal reasons. Hence a city is not a multitude of living creatures, but of reasonable beings bound together by the fellowship of one law. The servants then who bring an account of that which they had received, and are praised for having gained more, represent those giving in their account who have well employed what they had received, to increase their Lord's riches by those who believe on Him, while they who are unwilling to do this are signified by that servant who kept his pound laid up in a napkin; of whom it follows, And the third came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin, &c. For there are some who flatter themselves with this delusion, saying, It is enough for each individual to answer concerning himself, what need then of others to preach and minister, in order that every one should be compelled also to give an account of himself, seeing that in the Lord's sight even they are without excuse to whom the law was not given, and who were not asleep at the time of the preaching of the Gospel, for they might have known the Creator through the creature; and then it follows, For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man, &c. […]
Interest on the Word of God is having in life and deeds things that the Word of God has commanded. When you hear the Word, if you use it and act according to those words that you hear and live according to these words, then you are preparing interest for the Lord. Each of you can make ten talents from five. You will then hear from the Lord, "Well done, good and faithful servant, you shall have power over ten cities." Beware of this, fearing that any one of you may gather "in a napkin" or bury "in the earth" the money that has been received. You know well the nature of the outcome for this kind of man when the Lord comes.
The Medieval Church1 voice
Second, with regard to the acceptance of the heavenly judgment, he adds: And he said to him: Well done, good servant, because you have been faithful in a little. And note that well done is sometimes mocking, according to that passage of the Psalm: "They …
9 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church4 voices
(Evagrius.) Because he receives the reward of his own good works, he is said to be set over ten cities. And some conceiving unworthily of these promises imagine that they themselves are preferred to magistracies and chief places in the earthly Jerusalem, which is built with precious stones, because they have had their conversation honest in Christ; so little do they purge their soul of all hankering after power and authority among men.
And he said to him: Well done, good servant, because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities. The servant is faithful in a very little, who does not adulterate the word of God, but speaks in Christ …
It follows, And he said unto him, Well done, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, &c. The servant is faithful in a very little who does not adulterate the word of God. For all the gifts we receive now are but small in comparison of what we shall have.
It is revealed that one brought benefit to many and multiplied the gift tenfold. Therefore, the one who multiplied what he received tenfold is set over ten cities, that is, he receives authority over ten cities, and consequently is rewarded many times over.
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Those that are diligent and faithful in serving Christ are commonly blessed in being made blessings to the places where they live. They shall see the travail of their soul, and not labour in vain. And yet all that are alike faithful are not alike successful.
And he said unto him, well, thou good servant,....
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
Over ten cities - This is to be understood as referring to the new kingdom which the nobleman had just received. His former trustiest and most faithful servants he now represents as being made governors, under him, over a number of cities, according to the capacity he found in each; which capacity was known by the improvement of the minas.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1858)
proposed
The occasion of our Lord speaking the parable before us, is clear and plain. It was intended to correct the false expectations of the disciples on the subject of Christ's kingdom. It was a prophetic sketch of things present and things to come — which ought to raise solemn thoughts in the minds of all professing Christians. We see, for one thing, in this parable — the present position of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is compared to "a certain nobleman, who went into a far country, to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return."
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1858)
proposed
The occasion of our Lord speaking the parable before us, is clear and plain. It was intended to correct the false expectations of the disciples on the subject of Christ's kingdom. It was a prophetic sketch of things present and things to come — which ought to raise solemn thoughts in the minds of all professing Christians. We see, for one thing, in this parable — the present position of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is compared to "a certain nobleman, who went into a far country, to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return." When the Lord Jesus left the world, He ascended up into Heaven as a conqueror, leading captivity captive. He is there sitting at the right hand of God, doing the work of a High Priest for His believing people, and ever making intercession for them. But He will not sit there always. He will come forth from the holy of holies to bless His people. He will come again with power and glory — to put down every enemy under His feet, and to set up His universal kingdom on earth. At present "we do not see all things subjected to Him." The devil is the "prince of this world." (Hebrews 2:8; John 14:30.) But the present state of things shall be changed one day. When Christ returns — the kingdoms of the world shall become His! Let these things sink down into our minds. In all our thoughts about Christ — let us never forget His second coming. It is well to know that He lived for us, and died for us, and rose again for us, and intercedes for us. But it is also well to know that He is soon coming again for us! We see, for another thing, in this parable — the present position of all professing Christians. Our Lord compares them to servants who have been left in charge of money by an absent master, with strict directions to use that money well. They are to "Put this money to work, until I come back."
The words behind it
17 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| καὶ | kai | And | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| εἶπεν | eipen | He said | G2036 → | 925 times |
| αὐτῷ· | auto | to him; | G846 → | 5565 times |
| εὖγε | euge | well done | ||
| ἀγαθὲ | agathe | good | G18 → | 102 times |
| δοῦλε, | doule | servant! | G1401 → | 129 times |
| ὅτι | hoti | Because | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| ἐλαχίστῳ | elachisto | very little | G1646 → | 14 times |
| πιστὸς | pistos | faithful | G4103 → | 67 times |
| ἐγένου, | egenou | you were, | G1096 → | 667 times |
| ἴσθι | isthi | do be | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| ἐξουσίαν | exousian | having authority | G1849 → | 102 times |
| ἔχων | echon | you are | G2192 → | 707 times |
| ἐπάνω | epano | over | G1883 → | 19 times |
| δέκα | deka | ten | G1176 → | 27 times |
| πόλεων.¶ | poleon | cities. | G4172 → | 163 times |
καὶAnd
kaiG2532 →9120 times
εἶπενHe said
eipenG2036 →925 times
αὐτῷ·to him;
autoG846 →5565 times
εὖγεwell done
euge
ἀγαθὲgood
agatheG18 →102 times
δοῦλε,servant!
douleG1401 →129 times
ὅτιBecause
hotiG3754 →1292 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
ἐλαχίστῳvery little
elachistoG1646 →14 times
πιστὸςfaithful
pistosG4103 →67 times
ἐγένου,you were,
egenouG1096 →667 times
ἴσθιdo be
isthiG1510 →2333 times
ἐξουσίανhaving authority
exousianG1849 →102 times
ἔχωνyou are
echonG2192 →707 times
ἐπάνωover
epanoG1883 →19 times
δέκαten
dekaG1176 →27 times
πόλεων.¶cities.
poleonG4172 →163 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Matthew 25:21His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
it leads to
- Matthew 25:23
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- John 12:26
If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Luke 16:10
Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
- Matthew 25:23
Through
Luke 16:10Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
it leads to
- Luke 16:11–12
So if you have not been faithful with worldly wealth, who will entrust you with true riches?
- Matthew 25:21
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
- Luke 16:11–12
Through
1 Peter 1:7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
it leads to
- Job 23:10
Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
- James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
- Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
- Job 23:10
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies16
About Luke
This page draws on 16 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Ambrose of Milan, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Ancient Greek Expositor, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Augustine of Hippo, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Bede, On the Gospel of Luke; Bede, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Bonaventure, Commentary on Luke, Chapter 19; J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Luke; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Origen of Alexandria, HOMILY ON GENESIS 8; Origen of Alexandria, HOMILY ON EXODUS 13.1 and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Luke.