Luke Chapter 19, Verse 13
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13: καλεσας δε δεκα δουλους εαυτου εδωκεν αυτοις δεκα μνας και ειπεν προς αυτους πραγματευσασθε εως ερχομαι
13: And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds,
and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
13: And calling his ten servants, he gave them ten pounds and said to
them: Trade till I come.
Ten servants. Nothing in particular is denoted by the number
ten. It is a circumstance intended to keep up the narrative. In
general, by these servants Jesus denotes his disciples, and intends to
teach us that talents are given us to be improved, for which we must
give an account at his return.
Ten pounds. The word translated pound here denotes the Hebrew minah, which was equal to about 15 dollars, or £3. The pounds here denote the talents which God has given to his servants on earth to improve, and for which they must give an account in the day of judgment.
Occupy till I come. The word occupy here means not merely to possess, as it often does in our language, but to improve, to employ in business, for the purpose of increasing it or of making profit on it. The direction was to use this money so as to gain more against his return. So Jesus commands his disciples to improve their talents; to make the most of them; to increase their capability of doing good, and to do it until he comes to call us hence, by death, to meet him. See 1Cor 12:7 Eph 4:7.
- {1} "Mina" translated here a pound is 12 ounces and a half, which,
at 5 shillings the ounce, is £3, 2s. 6d.
