Luke 19:24

24 And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.'

Luke 19:24 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 19:24

And he said unto them that stood by
The angels, it may be; though this may not be strictly taken, as if any persons, angels, or men, will be employed in what follows, only that it will be done, or may be expected:

take from him the pound;
which shows, that it was not special grace, for that is a good part that shall never be taken away, but gifts which may be taken away from men, or they from them:

and give it to him that hath ten pounds;
not that, strictly speaking, the gifts of some men are taken from them and bestowed on others; but the design of the expression is to show, that to diligent and laborious ministers, there is an increase of gifts; their knowledge enlarges, and their light shines more and more to the perfect day, and they become more useful; and they appear brighter, and more illustrious, through the sloth of others, or when compared with indolent, negligent, and useless ministers.

Luke 19:24 In-Context

22 He said to him, 'I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow?

23 Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest?'

24 And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.'

25 (And they said to him, 'Lord, he has ten pounds!')

26 'I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.