And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
LUKE 19:15KJVWhat does Luke 19:15 mean?
Luke 19:15 describes how, after a man returns as king, he calls his servants to find out how much profit each made with the money he had entrusted to them. The verse sets up a moment of accountability, where each servant must report what they have accomplished during the master's absence.
In this part of Jesus’ parable, He is telling a story to a crowd, using the image of a nobleman who becomes king and then checks on his servants’ stewardship. The focus is on the king’s return and his desire to see what each servant did with the resources given to them, highlighting responsibility and the expectation of results.
The Greek behind Luke 19:15
- βασιλεία (basileia, "kingdom"): This word refers to royal authority or kingship, emphasizing that the man now has full power and the right to call his servants to account.
- δουλος (doulos, "servant"): This term means a bond-servant or slave, underlining the servants’ obligation to act on behalf of their master, not for themselves.
- διαπραγματεύομαι (diapragmateuomai, "trading"): This verb means to do business or trade, making clear that the servants were expected to actively work with what they were given, not just keep it safe.
Why Luke 19:15 matters
- Luke 19:15 clarifies that the king’s return is not just about reward, but also about accountability—each servant must answer for what they did with what was entrusted to them.
- The verse connects to the larger parable, showing that Jesus is teaching about responsibility and faithfulness in the time before His return.
- Understanding the original words helps highlight that the servants were expected to be active and productive, not passive, with what they received.