Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 19:14

"But his citizens hated him, and sent an ambassage after him, saying, We will not that this man reign over us." — Luke 19:14 (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.

These verses contain the heart of the story. The vivid description of the son’s murder and the father’s vengeance (v.16; cf. 19:43–44) evoked from the people who heard the parable a strong “May this never be!” They sensed the horror of the story and its drastic application, even though they may have understood its details imperfectly.