To read the texts click on the texts: 1 Mac 7:1,20-31; Lk 19:11-28
The parable in
the text of today is from the common source of Matthew and Luke known as “Q”.
However, Matthew (Mt 25:14-30) presents it differently. While in Matthew there
are three servants who are given five talents (a talent was equivalent to 20
years wages for a common labourer), two and one talent respectively, in Luke
there are ten servants who are given one mina each (a mina was about three
months wages for a common labourer).
The amounts in Luke are much smaller than
in Matthew. Though there are ten servants, we are told only about three. The
first of the three has earned ten minas with the one he was given, the second
has earned five and so these are given charge of ten and five cities
respectively. The third returns the mina to the king because he was afraid of
him and knew him to be a harsh man. After berating the man for not putting the
mina into the bank, which would have earned interest, the king commands that
his mina be given to the one who already has ten.
The point,
which Luke seems to make in this parable, is that responses to Jesus the king
have a decisive role in human destiny, for responses to him determine life and
death. There is no “safe” position. The only road to success is to take risks
as taken by the first two servants.
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