Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 19:11

"And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and [because] they supposed that the kingdom of God was immediately to appear." — Luke 19:11 (ASV)

The circumstances in this story were not such as to provoke a violent reaction. Only part of the fruit was requested, and in the early years of a vineyard’s existence, the tenants would own little if anything.

This verse connects the parable of the ten minas with the pericope about Zacchaeus in two complementary ways. The emphasis on salvation today (v.9) does not mean that there is no future coming of the Son of Man and judgment. Second, the “Son of Man” in v.10 is related to the “kingdom of God” in v.11. The one who has the right to reign is precisely the same Son of Man who came to seek lost sheep (v.10).

This parable also furthers Jesus’ teaching about the future in general, the present and future aspects of the kingdom, and the consummation of God’s purposes in history. It teaches that Jesus predicted an interval of time between his ascension and return.