The parable of the minas is a teaching of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke, specifically in Luke 19:11-27. This parable is often compared to the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30, though there are distinct differences between the two. The parable of the minas is set within the context of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and is delivered to correct misconceptions about the immediate appearance of the Kingdom of God.

Context and Setting

The parable is introduced as Jesus and His disciples are nearing Jerusalem. The anticipation of the Kingdom of God is palpable among His followers, who expect an imminent establishment of a political and earthly kingdom. Jesus uses this parable to illustrate the nature of the Kingdom and the responsibilities of His followers during the interim period before His return.

The Parable

In the parable, a nobleman goes to a distant country to receive a kingdom and then return. Before leaving, he entrusts ten of his servants with one mina each, instructing them to engage in business until he returns. A mina was a unit of currency in the ancient world, equivalent to about three months' wages, signifying a significant but not overwhelming amount of money.

Upon his return, the nobleman calls his servants to account for their business dealings. The first servant reports that his mina has earned ten more, and he is rewarded with authority over ten cities. The second servant has earned five more minas and is given charge over five cities. However, the third servant, out of fear, hides his mina in a cloth and returns it without any gain. The nobleman rebukes this servant for his lack of initiative and takes the mina from him, giving it to the servant who earned ten.

Interpretation and Themes

The parable of the minas emphasizes several key themes:

1. Stewardship and Responsibility: The servants are entrusted with resources and are expected to use them wisely. This reflects the Christian duty to utilize God-given gifts and opportunities for the advancement of His Kingdom.

2. Faithfulness and Reward: The parable highlights the principle that faithfulness in small matters leads to greater responsibilities and rewards. The servants who diligently invest their minas are rewarded with greater authority.

3. Judgment and Accountability: The nobleman's return symbolizes Christ's second coming, at which time He will judge His servants. The unfaithful servant's punishment underscores the seriousness of neglecting one's responsibilities.

4. The Kingdom of God: The parable corrects the misconception of an immediate earthly kingdom, teaching that there is a period of waiting and working before the full realization of God's Kingdom.

Biblical Text (Luke 19:11-27)

"While they were listening to this, He went on to tell them a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and they thought the kingdom of God would appear imminently. So He said, 'A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship and then return. Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. “Conduct business with this until I return,” he said.

But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, “We do not want this man to rule over us.”

When he returned from procuring his kingship, he summoned the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what each had gained. The first servant came forward and said, “Master, your mina has produced ten more minas.” His master replied, “Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.”

The second servant came and said, “Master, your mina has made five minas.” And to this servant he said, “You shall have authority over five cities.”

Then another servant came and said, “Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth. For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.”

His master replied, “You wicked servant! I will judge you by your own words. You knew I was a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not deposit my money in the bank, and upon my return, I could have collected it with interest?”

Then he told those standing by, “Take the mina from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.”

“Master,” they said, “he already has ten!”

He replied, “I tell you that everyone who has will be given more, but the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to rule over them, bring them here and slay them in front of me.”'"

Conclusion

The parable of the minas serves as a powerful reminder of the responsibilities of believers to actively engage in the work of the Kingdom, using their God-given resources wisely and faithfully, in anticipation of Christ's return.