Jesus was at the home of Zacchaeus, a very rich chief tax collector, on the midday of his “Triumphal Entry” into Jerusalem. Jesus had invited himself and his disciples to eat at his home, an invitation that Zacchaeus was eager to oblige (1-4). They were most likely on the house’s flat canopied roof, a common place for large groups to gather in the ancient Middle East. Jesus would have been at the head of the table, Zacchaeus either next to or near him, and Jesus’s disciples would be seated on pillows around a low table. Servants would bring food and drink trays from the quarters on the first floor to the guests, something the disciples would not have been accustomed to.
Jesus used what was happening around them in the parable he was teaching. Four people types where near or at the scene on Zacchaeus’ home; 1) Jesus, the disciples at the table, 2) the servants busy bringing food and drink to those at the table, 3) the guests, and 4) the religous leaders who were critizising Jesus’ decision to enter a ‘”sinner’s” home (7) which they themselves would refused to enter. So, Jesus’ parable had four people types; 1) a noblemen who was to be appointed king (12), 2) servants bringing food and drink (13a), 3) the people (minas) the servants were to manage (13b), and 4) subjects of the kingdom (citizens, 13b).
The nobleman was definitely going to be appointed king no matter what the citizens wanted. So, Jesus was definitely going to be King no matter what the Jewish religious leaders were conspiring. Since the nobleman knew he would be gone for an undetermined length of time, he appointed his servants to increase his minas (money). So, Jesus knew he would be gone for a rather long time. The nobleman gave his servants an important directive. So, Jesus commissioned his disciples to help those who would come into their nets to become mature enough to bring new people into the nets (13).
I am invited to determine who I am. Am I a citizen, a servant, or one being served? The citizens will be killed (27). The servants who increase the minas that are given to them will be rewarded (16-19). The servants who did nothing to increase the minas given to them will lose what they have been given (26). The choice is mine.
