168. At Zacchaeus’ House—The Parable of the Ten Minas. Lk. 19:11–27

As they listened to this, the Lord added a parable; for he was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the Kingdom of God was to appear immediately. So he said:

“A nobleman went to a far country to receive a kingdom for himself and to return. And he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas and said to them: ‘Engage in business until I come back.’”

“But his countrymen hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying: ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’”

“And when he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained. The first came and said: ‘Master, your mina has earned ten more minas.’ And he said to him: ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ The second came and said: ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ And he said to him likewise: ‘And you are to rule over five cities.’ Then another came and said: ‘Master, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a cloth. For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.’ The master said to him: ‘Out of your own mouth will I judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I am a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow; why then did you not put my money in a bank, so that when I came I might have demanded it with interest?’ And he said to those standing by: ‘Take the mina from him and give it to him who has ten minas.’ They said to him: ‘Master, he has ten minas.’ But he replied: ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’”

“But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.’”