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 "`By your own words,' he replied, `I will judge you, you bad servant. You knew me to be 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 a bank, that when I came I might have received it back 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 ("They said to him, "`Sir, he already has ten pounds.')

26 "`I tell you that to every one who has anything, more shall be given; and from him who has not anything, even what he has shall be taken away.