This parable comes after Jesus’ visit to Zacchaeus house, the tax collector. He was transformed by Jesus' message, that he wanted to be a participant in the Kingdom of God and promised to give half of his possessions to the poor and give 4x what he has taken from people he cheated. Jesus' response, “Today salvation has come to this house…For the son of man came to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:9-10)
What is a mina? It is the currency in the time of Jesus, which is a representation of 3-4 months of wages.
The occasion of the parable is Jesus' final trip to Jerusalem. Jesus’ disciples and many people who have been following Jesus, believed that he was going to Jerusalem to establish his kingdom immediately.
Here Jesus is preparing his disciples as to what is to happen in Jerusalem. God’s kingdom will not happen right away.
Jesus tells the parable of a nobleman who was getting ready to travel to another country. He gave 10 servants 10 minas each, with the instruction that they put the money to work until he comes. We see 2 kinds of servants in this parable.The first two servants were entrusted with minas. The first earned ten more and the second earned 5 more. They were well rewarded with big responsibilities. The 3rd servant kept his mina afraid of the master which he believes is “one who takes out what he did not put in and reap what he did not sow.” This servant was judged by his words and action and what he had was taken away from him. Nothing was mentioned of the other seven servants. But to those who were his enemies, he asked that they be brought to him and to be killed. Very harsh coming from Jesus.
The nobleman in this parable is Jesus, who left this world but will return as king of the kingdom. The servants that were charged with a task represent the followers of Jesus.
This parable focuses on the Kingdom of God and faithfulness.
Jesus has entrusted his people with a very important mission, until he returns which requires faithfulness. There is work to be done and we must use what he has given for his glory.
Rather than killing the enemies as what the King in the parable did, Jesus is the one who is slaughtered, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, who was nailed on the cross for our sins.
“Jesus gave his followers a vision of the future that encompasses not only individual salvation but also the redemption of all creation. He will one day sit on the judgment seat of God and separate the righteous and the unrighteous and usher in the fulness of God’s kingdom”