Luke 19:25

25 And they said to him, Lord, he hath ten bezants.

Luke 19:25 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 19:25

And they said unto him
The bystanders;

Lord, he hath ten pounds;
which they say either through envy, at his superior gifts, and usefulness; for it is generally the lot of the most eminent and useful servants of Christ to be envied by others; or in surprise, as wondering at the conduct of Christ in giving more to such, who had so much already. The Ethiopic version reads the words by way of interrogation, "hath he not ten pounds?" is not that enough? why should he have more? This verse is left out in Beza's most ancient copy. However, it is rightly put into a parenthesis in our version; for the following verse is strictly connected with ( Luke 19:24 ) and contains a reason of what is there ordered.

Luke 19:25 In-Context

23 and why hast thou not given my money to the board, and I coming should have asked it with usuries? [and why hast thou not given my money to the board, that and I coming should have received it soothly with usuries?]
24 And he said to men standing nigh, Take away from him the bezant, and give ye to him that hath ten bezants. [+And he said to them that stood nigh, Take ye away from him the bezant, and give it to him that hath ten bezants.]
25 And they said to him, Lord, he hath ten bezants.
26 And I say to you, to each man that hath, it shall be given, and he shall increase [and he shall abound]; but from him that hath not, also that thing that he hath, shall be taken of him [shall be taken from him].
27 Nevertheless bring ye hither those mine enemies, that would not that I reigned on them [that would not me to reign upon them], and slay ye before me.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.