Luke 19:12 NIV: He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.

Luke 19:12

Bible > NIV > Luke 19 > Verse 12

◄ Luke 19:12 ►

New International Version (© 2011)
He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.

King James Bible
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

American Standard Version
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

Young's Literal Translation
He said therefore, 'A certain man of birth went on to a far country, to take to himself a kingdom, and to return,

Luke 19:12 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

A certain nobleman - In the following parable there are two distinct morals intended; let it be viewed in these two points of light. 1. The behavior of the citizens to the nobleman; and, 2. The behavior of his own servants to him.

1. By the behavior of the citizens, and their punishment, (Luke 19:14, Luke 19:27), we are taught that the Jews, who were the people of Christ, would reject him, and try to prevent his reigning over them in his spiritual kingdom, and would for that crime be severely punished by the destruction of their state. And this moral is all that answers to the introductory words, Luke 19:11. And they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

2. The other moral extends itself through the whole of the parable, viz. that the disciples of Christ, who are his servants; and who made a good improvement of the favors granted them by the Gospel, should be rewarded in proportion to the improvement made under the means of grace. This latter moral is all that is intended by Matthew in Matthew 25:14, etc., who mentions this parable as spoken by Christ after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem; though Luke has here placed that event after the parable. See Bishop Pearce.

The meaning of the different parts of this parable appears to be as follows.

A certain nobleman - The Lord Jesus, who was shortly to be crucified by the Jews.

Went into a far country - Ascended to the right hand of the Divine Majesty.

To receive a kingdom - To take possession of the mediatorial kingdom, the right to which, as Messiah, he had acquired by his sufferings: see Philippians 2:8, Philippians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:8, Hebrews 1:9. In these words there is an allusion to the custom of those days, when they who had kingdoms or governments given unto them went to Rome to receive that dignity from the emperors. Bishop Pearce. In proof of this, see Josephus, Ant. l. xiv. c. xiv., where we find Herod went to Rome to receive the sanction and authority of the Roman emperor. And, from lib. xvii. c. 3, we learn that his successors acted in the same way.

And to return - To judge and punish the rebellious Jews.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

A certain.

Matthew 25:14-30 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods...

Mark 13:34-37 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work...

a far.

Luke 20:9 Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to farmers...

Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

Matthew 21:38 But when the farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him...

Mark 12:1 And he began to speak to them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and dig a place for the winefat...

Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Acts 1:9,10 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight...