The parable of the 10 mines It is a teaching given by Jesus in which it is shown how a king gave them responsibilities to his servantswho had to diligently comply with the entrusted order, and one of them did not.
It is the reflection that is given, of how God has given each believer gifts and talents, that must be managed correctly so that his kingdom can extend on earth, and be a good servant who knows who he serves.
Parable of the 10 mines
The parable of the ten minas has similarity to that of the talentsand in each of them what Jesus seeks is to teach how the believer should be a good administrator when an order is given, and in this case the account given by Jesus says as follows:
When they heard these things, Jesus continued and told a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God would appear immediately. He therefore said: A nobleman went to a far country, to receive a kingdom and return. And calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them: Negotiate while I come.
But his fellow citizens hated him, and they sent an embassy after him, saying, We do not want this man to rule over us. It happened that when he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered those servants to whom he had given the money to be called before him, to find out what each one had negotiated.
The first came, saying: Lord, your mina has earned ten minas. He said to him: It is well, good servant; because you have been faithful in a little, you will have authority over ten cities. Another came, saying: Sir, your mine has produced five mines. And also to this one he said: You also know about five cities.
Another came, saying: Lord, here is your mina, which I have kept in a handkerchief; because I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man, who takes what you did not put down, and reaps what you did not sow. Then he said to him: Bad servant, by your own mouth I judge you.
You knew that I was a severe man, that I take what I did not put in, and that I reap what I did not sow; Why, then, did you not put my money in the bank, so that when I returned, I would have received it with interest? And he said to those who were present: Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas. They said to him: Sir, he has ten minas.
For I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given; but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And also those my enemies who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here, and behead them before me” (Luke 19:11-27).
In this sense, Jesus when he was going to Jerusalem tells them this parable where he emphasizes the meaning of the manifestation of the God’s Kingdomat that time the Jews who accompanied him thought that the messianic kingdom would only manifest itself according to the expectation and characteristic of those kings of that time, who would free him from the Roman Empire.
Jesus narrates this story contextualizing with the experience of the Jews at that time, who were waiting for that promised Messiah who would help them to be free of the hegemony of the Roman Empire, and that is why he emphasizes that this man would be despised by the people, but nevertheless he would be granted the kingdom.
The Historical Context of the Parable of the 10 Mines
the parable of the ten mines Jesus tells it based on a historical fact that happens when Herod the Great dies in the year 4leaving his kingdom divided between Herod Philip, Herod Antipas, and Archelaus.
In this sense, this distribution had to be ratified by the Romans before becoming effective, and in the Archelaus case, who had been given Judea, he went to Rome to convince Augustus to have his right recognized; nevertheless the Jews sent about fifty men ahead of Augustus to oppose Archelaus.
However, Augustus confirmed the inheritance even though without the title of kingThat is why anyone who heard this parable in Judea would remember that event that occurred during the reign of these men.
Analysis of the Parable of the 10 minas
The parable of the ten minas talks about several things that any believer must run in your daily lifesince each one of God’s servants has been entrusted with a mission, and in this story various types of believers are described:
God is the king
First of all, it must be understood that the king referred to in the parable is Jesus himself, who gave his servants money when he leftand allowed them to invest it in the best way without putting any type of condition on it, leaving the administration work to their discretion.
This means that there is confidence in each one of the servants to whom God has given those gifts and talents, so that his work continues to develop on earth. It is a test to see if men are trustworthy in those little things, as the parable narrates.
King’s Reward to Servants
Upon the arrival of the King, he called each one of the servants who had entrusted him with the mission of multiply those minesto which each of them received a reward for their work.
The first two took the risk of investing the mines that the king had given them, and they obtained large profits because they managed to multiply twice of what they had delivered into their hands, to which the king felt grateful for such a good work, and congratulated them, granting him his reward.
«The first came, saying: Lord, your mina has earned ten minas. He said to him: It is well, good servant; because you have been faithful in a little, you will have authority over ten cities. Another came, saying: Sir, your mine has produced five mines. And also to this one he said: You also know about five cities»
However, the third servant was afraid to risk it, I keep mine in a handkerchiefand at the time of presenting them to the king he was punished by him since he did not do the work that had been entrusted.
«Another came, saying: Lord, here is your mina, which I have kept in a handkerchief; because I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man, who takes what you did not put down, and reaps what you did not sow. Then he said to him: Bad servant, with your own mouth I judge you.”
It can be seen how this gentleman after returning becomes the king, and owner of all the territory, and decided to reward the two servants who acted according to his command, and were promoted to high positions. While I punish the third servant for not acting correctly, in the same way it happens with believers in God, who are bad stewards of the goods given by God.
Teaching of the Parable of the 10 mines
The lesson that this parable leaves is that there will be a reward for the good done in the entrusted work, making it clear that the believers have a responsibility to fulfill God’s purpose on earth.
In the same way that the king calls his servants, God calls his believers who preach, heal, take your gospel and multiply those talents and gifts that He has given them for the advancement of his kingdom, and that they be like the two servants that multiplied the mines to the king.
This parable concludes with the lesson that believers must understand, and that is that they must act on the entrusted work to receive the reward, and the Word that says:
«For I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given; But from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
This means that every believer must discipline himself in the entrusted work in order to see the positive fruits in his laborand receive that eternal reward that will be the rewards that God has prepared for all those who do his will.
You can also read: Parable of the Great Dinner: Rejecting Salvation
That is why we invite you when you are given a task that is aimed at expanding the kingdom of heaven trust and go ahead fulfilling the entrusted work, since Jesus has promised to be with each person until the end of the world
“Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all the things that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, until the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20)