Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 19:12

"He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return." — Luke 19:12 (ASV)

The historical background for the parable was the visit of Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, to Rome to secure permission to reign as a so-called client king over a Roman territory. This petition was opposed by a delegation of Archelaus’s own subjects. Similarly, Jesus has gone to the heavenly seat of authority till the time for his return. In the meantime, he has been rejected by those who should serve him as his subjects (v.14).

The money each servant received was worth about three months’ wages.

Their responsibility was to “put this money to work” in business, in trading, or by investment.

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.