Luke 19:26
‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse doesn't just state a principle of gain; it highlights a stark reality: the use of what you've been given is what truly defines possession. If you actively use and invest what you have, it grows and remains yours, but if you hoard or neglect it, even the initial deposit will be taken away, revealing you never truly "had" it in the first place.
Jesus tells this parable because the disciples mistakenly believe the Kingdom of God will immediately appear as a worldly reign, and he's heading to Jerusalem. The story of the nobleman entrusting his servants with money before a journey explains that Christ is going to receive his kingdom and will return to hold his servants accountable for how they've used what he gave them. Therefore, this verse is the nobleman's pronouncement on how rewards and consequences will be distributed based on faithfulness and productivity.
Why does Jesus say more will be given to those who 'have,' and taken from those who 'have not'? It’s not just about what you possess, but what you do with it.
Jesus is painting a picture of His kingdom and how it operates. In the parable of the nobleman (found in Luke 19 and Matthew 25), servants are entrusted with resources – money, talents. The core principle revealed here isn't about hoarding what you have, but actively engaging with it.
Trading and Growing
The servants who actively 'traded' and multiplied what they were given were rewarded. They didn't just passively keep what was theirs; they invested it, worked with it, and brought a return. This is the heart of kingdom growth: it’s dynamic and requires participation.
The Danger of Inaction
Conversely, the servant who hid his single talent in the ground, out of fear or laziness, had even that taken away. This isn't just a punishment for failure, but a demonstration of a fundamental principle: stagnation leads to loss. What we don't use, we tend to lose, especially in the spiritual realm.
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When the nobleman returned, he didn't just check if his servants had the money, but what they did with it. This is the essence of being a steward.
The parable underscores that everything we have – our abilities, our resources, our spiritual gifts, even our salvation – is ultimately entrusted to us by God. We are not owners, but stewards.
The Master's Expectations
The nobleman distributed his goods 'according to his ability.' This shows that God gives us responsibilities that match our capacity. He expects us to manage what we’ve been given faithfully.
Accountability for Fruitfulness
The core of the accounting was about the 'gain' or 'profit.' The master wanted to see that his resources had been put to good use, yielding a return. This concept of accountability for fruitfulness is central to Christian living. God doesn't just want us to hold onto His gifts; He desires them to be multiplied for His glory and the building of His kingdom.
This parable was delivered as Jesus approached Jerusalem for His final week. It highlights the disciples' mistaken expectation of an immediate, earthly kingdom and corrects it by explaining that Jesus must first go to receive His authority, after which He will return to judge how faithfully His followers have used the gifts He entrusted to them.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Final Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus is on his final journey to Jerusalem, knowing His mission will culminate in His death and resurrection. He is aware of the disciples' misunderstanding about the imminent establishment of His kingdom.
c. 30-33 AD
The Parable of the Pounds
Jesus tells the parable of the nobleman and his servants to correct the disciples' misconception that His kingdom would immediately appear in a worldly sense.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus enters Jerusalem, fulfilling prophecy, but the event is not the worldly political upheaval the disciples expect. This event further fuels their expectation of an immediate kingdom.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and rises from the dead, beginning the process of establishing His spiritual kingdom, not a temporal one.
c. 30-33 AD
Jesus' Ascension to Heaven
Jesus ascends to heaven to receive His kingdom and authority, just as the nobleman in the parable went to a distant country to receive his kingdom.
c. 33 AD onwards
The Early Church and the Spread of the Gospel
Following Jesus' ascension, His followers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, faithfully 'trade' with the gifts they've been given, spreading the Gospel and building the Church.
This verse directly parallels Luke's statement, appearing in the nearly identical parable of the talents, emphasizing the principle of increase for faithful stewardship.
Luke 8:18This passage speaks to the same core idea, stating that what someone possesses will be taken away if they are not attentive or receptive, highlighting the importance of holding onto spiritual truths.
Mark 4:25Similar to Luke 8:18, this verse warns that without proper attention and use, even what one has will be taken away, reinforcing the theme of spiritual productivity.
Matthew 13:12In the parable of the sower, Jesus states that from those who don't understand or apply His word, even what they have will be taken away, connecting the principle to spiritual understanding and growth.
calvinLuke 19:11-28: "And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear."
- For as a certain man, setting out on a journey, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods. 15. And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one; to every one according to his own ability; and immediately set out. 16. And he who had received five talents went away and trad…
clarkeLuke 19:26: "For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him."
And from him that hath not - See this particularly explained Matthew 13:12 (note). Perhaps it would be well, with Bishop Pearce, to supply the word gained - give it to him who hath gained ten minas; for I say unto you, That unto every one who hath gained shall be given; and, from him who hath not gained, even that which he hath received, sh…
The verse doesn't just state a principle of gain; it highlights a stark reality: the use of what you've been given is what truly defines possession. If you actively use and invest what you have, it grows and remains yours, but if you hoard or neglect it, even the initial deposit will be taken away, revealing you never truly "had" it in the first place.
Jesus tells this parable because the disciples mistakenly believe the Kingdom of God will immediately appear as a worldly reign, and he's heading to Jerusalem. The story of the nobleman entrusting his servants with money before a journey explains that Christ is going to receive his kingdom and will return to hold his servants accountable for how they've used what he gave them. Therefore, this verse is the nobleman's pronouncement on how rewards and consequences will be distributed based on faithfulness and productivity.
Jesus tells this parable because the disciples mistakenly believe the Kingdom of God will immediately appear as a worldly reign, and he's heading to Jerusalem. The story of the nobleman entrusting his servants with money before a journey explains that Christ is going to receive his kingdom and will return to hold his servants accountable for how they've used what he gave them. Therefore, this verse is the nobleman's pronouncement on how rewards and consequences will be distributed based on faithfulness and productivity.
"‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away." — The verse doesn't just state a principle of gain; it highlights a stark reality: the use of what you've been given is what truly defines possession. If you actively use and invest what you have, it…
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