Question 1

What does Luke 19:13 mean?

Accepted Answer

Luke 19:13 describes a man calling ten of his servants, giving each of them a sum of money (called "pounds" in the KJV), and instructing them to do business with it until he returns. The verse sets up a story about responsibility and what the servants do with what they are given while their master is away. In this scene, Jesus is telling a parable to a crowd as he approaches Jerusalem. The "man" in the story represents someone of authority who leaves for a time, entrusting his resources to his servants. The instruction to "occupy till I come" means they are to actively manage, invest, or make use of what they have been given, not just hold onto it passively.

Question 2

The Greek behind Luke 19:13

Accepted Answer

"Occupy" (πραγματεύομαι, pragmateuomai): This Greek word means to do business, trade, or engage in commerce. The sense here is not just to keep the money safe, but to put it to work and try to increase it. "Pounds" (μνᾶ, mna): This was a unit of money in the ancient world, roughly equivalent to about three months' wages for a laborer. Each servant receives the same amount, highlighting equal opportunity. "Servants" (δοῦλος, doulos): The word means a bondservant or slave, someone under the authority of the master. The story is about people entrusted with responsibility, not owners themselves.

Question 3

Why Luke 19:13 matters

Accepted Answer

Luke 19:13 clarifies that the servants are expected to be active and productive, not just to safeguard what they are given. The Greek word for "occupy" shows that the expectation is for business and growth, not mere preservation. The verse sets up the rest of the parable, where the master will later return and evaluate what each servant has done with the resources. This frames the story as one about accountability and stewardship. By giving each servant the same amount, the verse emphasizes fairness at the start, so the focus is on what each person does with their opportunity, not on differences in what they received.

Luke 19:13 (KJV)