Jesus was at the home of Zacchaeus, whose occupation dealt with money, investments, loss, and profit. Thus, Zacchaeus and the Apostle Matthew would have understood “The Parable of the Ten Minas” better than zealots, fishermen, Pharisees, and Levite priests who also heard this parable. Jesus used the best parables for the location he and his disciples were in. Indirectly and rather uniquely, Jesus’ parable endorses investing money for profit.
The main character of the parable is a man of noble birth. Jesus is the man, for he is not only the descendant of King David (3:23-38; Matthew 1:1-17), but he is also the Son of God (1:32, 35; 22:69; Mark 1:1; John 1:34, 5:25, 20:31).
Jesus said that the “man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return” (12). He thus not only foretold his resurrection and the heavenly anointing by his Father, but he also foretold of his second coming (aka The Second Advent).
After outlining the parable with one sentence (a common Hebrew teaching method), Jesus goes into the important details. The nobleman knew that he was going to be away for quite some time. Jesus does not say how long the nobleman would be gone or when he would return. The interval would have to be long enough for a need to turn responsibilities over to someone else, and long enough to prove they were good or bad investors. Not knowing when their master would return should drive those entrusted with his money to work as though he would return at any moment.
The man of nobility called for ten of his servants (13). The root word of the original Hebrew noun for “servant” means “bind”, literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary, and in the sense of subjective or subservience. He gave each the same amount, ten minas, equal to around thirty months’ wages. They were instructed to invest this money to gain a profit.
Everyone in the crowd would identify with the desire to increase wealth. Am I investing my minas according to my master’s instructions?
