And the second came, saying, Lord, your pound has gained five pounds.
thy.
Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
‘Master, your mina has made five minas.’
The servant addresses the nobleman as "Master," acknowledging his authority and ownership. The term "mina" refers to a unit of currency in the ancient Near East, equivalent to about three months' wages. The servant's report of the mina making five minas indicates a 500% return on investment, demonstrating diligence and effective stewardship. This outcome highlights the principle of fruitfulness and multiplication found in Genesis 1:28, where God commands humanity to be fruitful and multiply. The servant's success contrasts with the unproductive servant later in the parable, underscoring the importance of using one's gifts and resources for the Kingdom. This also echoes the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, where faithful servants are rewarded for their productivity.
• Luke presents an ordered procession: first servant (v. 16), now the second. This reminds that every believer will stand before Christ in turn, as echoed in Romans 14:10-12, “each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
• The word “came” shows initiative; the servant does not wait to be summoned. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 presses the same urgency: “we make it our goal to please Him… so that each may receive his due.”
• The second servant differs from the first only in results, not in opportunity—each had “one mina” (Luke 19:13). This underscores God’s impartiality (Acts 10:34-35).
• Verbal report is required; fruit must be confessed openly. Matthew 12:36 warns that “men will give an account for every careless word,” while Psalm 107:2 urges, “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.”
• Speaking demonstrates relationship. John 15:15 records Jesus saying, “I have called you friends,” inviting conversation, not silent service.
• The servant’s words are concise—no excuses, no embellishment—mirroring Proverbs 10:19, “When words are many, sin is not absent.”
• Addressing Jesus as “Master” acknowledges absolute authority, paralleling John 13:13, “You call Me Teacher and Lord… so I am.”
• It also signals joyful submission; Psalm 123:2 pictures servants “watching the hand of their master.”
• Revelation 17:14 proclaims Him “Lord of lords,” assuring that the One who evaluates our stewardship is perfectly just.
• Ownership is clear: the capital belongs to the Master. Psalm 24:1 declares, “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness.”
• The servant does not claim originality; he is a steward, as taught in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”
• Every gift—time, talent, treasure—is “received,” not self-generated (James 1:17).
• The phrase shows multiplication, not mere preservation. Jesus commends increase elsewhere: “Every branch that bears fruit He prunes so that it will bear more fruit” (John 15:2).
• Fivefold gain signals diligent, sustained effort. Proverbs 10:4 observes, “The hand of the diligent makes rich.”
• Unlike Matthew’s parable of the talents, no comparison of amounts is given here; the focus is on faithfulness relative to what was entrusted (Luke 16:10).
• The servant credits the mina itself—“has made”—highlighting God’s empowering grace (1 Corinthians 3:6-7: “God gave the growth”).
Luke 19:18 spotlights a faithful steward who approaches his Lord willingly, speaks honestly, honors Christ’s ownership, and presents multiplied results produced through God-given resources and personal diligence. The verse encourages believers to embrace accountability, labor for eternal gain, and anticipate commendation from the rightful, righteous Master.
Parallel Commentaries ...