Question 1

What does Luke 19:14 mean?

Accepted Answer

Luke 19:14 describes how the citizens of a certain man rejected him and sent a message after him, declaring that they did not want him to rule over them. This verse shows a clear refusal of the man’s authority by the people who were supposed to be under his leadership. In the context of Luke 19, Jesus is telling a parable to a crowd, using the story of a nobleman who goes to a distant country to receive a kingdom. The "citizens" here represent people who do not want this nobleman as their king, and they actively oppose his rule. This sets up a contrast between the nobleman's servants and the citizens, highlighting themes of acceptance and rejection of rightful authority.

Question 2

The Greek behind Luke 19:14

Accepted Answer

The word for "hated" is μισέω (miseō), which means a deep, active hostility. This is not just mild dislike but a strong rejection. The phrase "will not have...to reign" uses θέλω (thelō) twice, meaning "to will" or "to want," and βασιλεύω (basileuō), meaning "to rule as king." The Greek construction emphasizes a deliberate and strong-willed refusal to accept the man's rule. The word for "sent a message" is πρέσβεια (presbeia), which often refers to an official delegation or embassy. This suggests the citizens’ rejection was formal and intentional, not just grumbling among themselves.

Question 3

Why Luke 19:14 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clarifies that the rejection of the nobleman’s rule is not passive but active and organized, which adds weight to the story’s tension. Understanding the citizens’ hostility helps explain the later consequences in the parable, where the nobleman responds to those who rejected him. The verse connects to the broader theme in Luke’s Gospel of how people respond to rightful authority, especially in the context of Jesus’ own ministry and the reactions he faced.

Luke 19:14 (KJV)