world for a great end, to seek and save that which was lost. Their minds were probably full of the idea that He was come to restore the kingdom to Israel, and save the Jews from the power of Borne. He proceeds to check their error.
[Spake a parable.^ There is great resemblance between this parable and that of the talents in Matthew. Yet they are not the same. They were evidently spoken at different times, and differ in one important respect, namely, the sums given to the servants. In Matthew the servants receive different sums. In Luke all receive the same.
[Nigh . . . Jerusalem . . . kingdom . . . appear.] The disciples evid- ently expected that our Lord was about to be proclaimed king, as soon as He arrived at Jerusalem, and to wind up His miracles by reigning on earth.
Our Lord undeceives them by showing in the parable of the pounds, the true nature of the position He was about to take up, and of the position which His disciples would soon have to fill. As for Himself, He was going away from them, to receive a kingdom, and would not return for a long time. As for them, they would be left behind in charge of great privileges, and up- on their faithfulness in the use of them their place in the final glorious kingdom would depend. There would be a kingdom one day in which He would be a King upon earth. But there was much to be done and borne by His people before that time came. He would have them think of their present duty rather than waste time in looking for a kingdom which was yet far dis- tant.
12. — [A certain nobleman.] This clearly represents Jesus Christ Himself
[Went into a far country.] Augustine thinks this means that Christ left the Jews and went to the Gentiles. I prefer the opi- nion of Theophylact and Euthymius, that it means Christ's as- cension into heaven.
[To receive a kingdom.] Most Commentators agree in think- ing that this part of the parable refers to a well-known custom in Eastern Countries, in the time when our Lord was upon earth. The princes and kings of petty territories under the pro- tection and supremacy of Rome, made journeys to Rome, in order to be invested with kingly authority at the hands of the Roman Emperor. Josephus, lor example, mentions that Arche- laus, one of Herod's family, did so, and that the Jews sent after him a protest against his receiving the kingdom, to which Augustus would not listen. Alford observes that the place where our Lord spoke this parable, made this circumstance singularly appropriate. It was spoken at Jericho, where this very Arche- laiis had built himself a royal palace of great magnificence.
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304 EXPOSnOBT THOBOfftS.
13. — \Ten $ervant9.'\ Chemnitius and others think that tiie **fleT rants " in this parahle mean only the ministers of the Gospel. I cannot take so narrow a view of the parable. I think that the expression means all who profess and call themselves Chris- tians. By baptism they all profess to be Christ's soldiers and servants.
[Ten pounds.] The word translated "poand," means a sum much larger than an English pound. It was worth about M Is. 3d. of our money. In the kmdred parable of the talents in Matthew, it should be noted, the servants receive much more. The talent was worth £243 158.
[Occupy.] The Greek word so translated is only found here- It means literally, '* employ in business, or trading.** A sub- stantive formed from it is round in 2 Tim. ii. 4. and is rendered " the affairs " of this life.
14. — [His citizens hated him, dc] There can be no doubt tb&t this verse describes the conduct of the Jews towards Christ, both while He was among them and after He had ascended into heaven. It is a lively emblem of their bitter hatred and ob- stinate unbelief
[We wiU not have this man, dc] Theophylact remarks the striking resemblance between this part of the parable and the cry of the Jews when Christ was before Pilate. They were asked, " Shall I crucify your King?" They answered, "We have no king but CsBsar." They said, " Away with him ! " " crucify him."
15. — [When he was returned,., kingdom.] This part of the parable describes the second advent of Jesus Christ. The kingdom for which we pray in the Lord's prayer is not yet come.
[Commanded.., servants ,„ called.] These words describe the judgment of all professing Christians, when Christ comes the second time. He will take accoimt of every man's works.
16. — [^Thy pound.] The humility of a true Christian is indicated in this expression. The servant does not say, " By my skill I have gained," but, " thy pound hath gained." We have nothing to boast of. All that we have we have received.
17. — [Faithful in a very little.] The sum given to each servant was undoubtedly very small. JBut our Lord would have us leam that however small a man's gifts and opportunities, he is as much accountable for using them rightly as if they were very great And he would have us know that the poorest and the humblest Christian, if be uses his one pound well, shall be as carefully noticed and rewarded as the mightiest king. FaithMness in the use of what we have, however little, is what Christ requires at our hands.