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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

CHAPTER NINETEEN:
WISE US OF MONEY AND A TRIUMPHAL ENTRY

[“King’s Arrival”]
Key word: Business

Luke 19:1-10 – Zacchaeus Gives to the Poor

LK19:1 Now Jesus entered Jericho 832 and was passing along.

832

Jericho: It is possible, like Berlin and other cities, Jericho was a dual city with an old and new section. So whereas one Gospel says “leaving” Jericho, both may be true. If one met someone at the Brandenberg gate between East and West Berlin it could both be said one was either leaving or entering such a city.

LK19:2 And, look, there was a man named Zacchaeus 833 and he was the head tax-collector and very wealthy.

833	Zacchaeus: It is likely that the man is named because he later became a disciple of the Nazarene. It is also possible Luke derives his account from the eyewitness report of the little man.

LK19:3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was but because he was short in stature he was unable to get through the crowd. LK19:4 So he ran ahead to the front and climbed up a mulberry fig tree so that he might get a glimpse of him as he was passing that way. LK19:5 Now as he came to that spot Jesus looked up and said to him: “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must remain in your house.” 834

834	I must remain in your house: Or, KJV: I must abide at thy house; BER: I am due to stay at your home today; PME: I must be your guest today; RIE: you must be my host today. This fact might be compared to Jesus’ words at Matthew 18:15-18.

LK19:6 Then Zacchaeus climbed down and welcomed Jesus with joy. LK19:7 When others saw this they began to complain, saying: “He is going to rest with a sinful man!” LK19:8 So standing by Zacchaeus said to the Master, “Sir, look, half of my possessions I give to the poor, 835 and if I defrauded 836 someone of anything I will pay back four times.” 837

835	Half of my possessions I give to the poor: We note Jesus does not tell him “sell everything and give to the poor” as he did to his apostles and the rich Jewish ruler. [Luke 12:33; 18:22] Perhaps one of the reasons is that the little man suggested the idea himself and was not told so by the Master.

836	Defrauded: Or, by false accusation, cheated, swindled. Compare the principle at Proverbs 28:20.

837	Four times: Suggested by the Law of Moses. [Exodus 22:1; Leviticus 6:3]

LK19:9 Then Jesus told him: “Today salvation 838 has come to this house, because he is also a son of Abraham.

838	Salvation: One of two places where Jesus uses the word “salvation.” The other is at John 4:22. The word “save” is used a few times by the Nazarene. [Matthew 10:22; 24:13, 22; Mark 8:35; Luke 7:50; 8:12; 19:10; John 5:34; 10:9; 12:47]

LK19:10 For the Son of Humankind came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:11-27 – Do Business until I Return

|| Matthew 25:14-30 839

839	Matthew 25:14-30: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

LK19:11 As everyone was listening to this Jesus continued to tell them a parable because he was approaching Jerusalem and they all thought the Kingdom of The God was going to appear immediately. 840

840

Appear immediately: Or, MOF: instantly come into view; PME: at the point of appearing; NEB: dawn at any moment. The Greek for “appear” is ANAPHAINESTHAI meaning to re-light the lamp [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #398, bring to light, made apparent] and the idea may allude to Daniel 12:1 where the Hebrew allows “appear.” [JPS Tanakh] Did Jesus believe the Kingdom was imminent as some modern scholars assert? The parable would suggest he did not.

LK19:12 Then Jesus said: “A certain man of noble birth 841 traveled to a distant land 842 to receive for himself a kingdom 843 and then to return. 844

841	Man of noble birth: That is, Jesus the Nazarene who came from a royal family in heaven.

842	Traveled to a distant land: Or, KJV: a far country. The ascension to heaven by Christ. [Acts 1:9-11] The Greek is KHORAN MACRON and literally means “a land a long way off.” Jesus refers to heaven, his celestial home. This is the same home where Jesus promises to gather his disciples. [John 14:1-3]

843

To receive for himself a kingdom: Or, WEY: to obtain the rank of king; MOF: to obtain royal power for himself; TCN: to receive his appointment to a kingdom; RIE: to have himself made king. In fulfillment of Psalm 2:6, 7 and Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13 Christ receives his kingship upon his ascension to heaven in the year 33 AD. For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Ephesians 1:19-22.

844

And then to return: A reference to the PAROUSIA or the Second Coming. Matthew 25:19 adds before the Return, “and after a long time.” Matthew’s parable comes after this one here, so it may almost be viewed as a commentary on the former. Christ does not expect the PAROUSIA imminently. Christ is to return to heaven, receive his kingship, reign as God subdues his enemies, and after a long time, to arrive in his PAROUSIA to receive home his Church. How long “after a long time” is may be understood by a study of Daniel 2:41-44 and Daniel 7:1-27. For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Daniel. These features would be included in this “long time” – a] the destruction of Jerusalem; b] the splinter of Rome into east and west; c] the fragmentation of Rome into “ten kingdoms”; d] the rise of the “small horn”; e] the humiliation of three of the ten by the small horn; f] the great oppression of three and a half years against the Saints by the small horn. For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Revelation 11-13.

LK19:13 Now he called his ten slaves 845 to give them ten minas 846 and then he told them, ‘Do business until I return!’ 847

845	Ten slaves: Possibly the sum total of the whole Church. Though all are not present at the original appointment as were the apostles, the anointing of each new member of the Church puts them into this same category of the “ten slaves.”

846	Ten minas: That responsibility that befalls every Christian – to bear fruitage in, a] perfecting holiness in the fear of God [2 Corinthians 7:1]; b] sharing the Gospel with others [2 Corinthians 4:13]; and, c] making new disciples. [Matthew 28:19]

847

Do business until I return: Or, KJV: occupy till I come; PME: use this money to trade with; AMP: buy and sell with these. The Greek is PRAGMATEUSASTHE [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4231, occupied in anything, to carry on business] associated with the English pragmatic [Latin = “skilled in business or law”; English = busy, active, practical]. Essentially this involves two things: a] charity; and, b] the disciple-making business. The “return” is the royal parousia.

LK19:14 However his fellow citizens hated him 848 and they sent an emissary after him saying, ‘We do not want this person to rule over us!’ 849

848	His fellow citizens hated him: The Jews in general reject the Messiah. [Psalm 22; Isaiah 53]

849	To rule over us: The Jews rejected the opportunity of becoming citizens of God’s Realm, the realm of profession within the Church under the headship of Christ. [Ephesians 1:19-22]

LK19:15 Now it happened that after he had received his kingdom and returned 850 he asked for his slaves who received the money to be presented to him 851 so that he might know what they had gained by trading.

850

After he had received his kingdom and returned: Christ becomes king long before his PAROUSIA. Upon his return the parousia-judgment begins: the judgment of all members of the Christian Church throughout the Gospel Age. For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew 12:35-37; 13:40-42; 25:40-46; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 4:17; 1 John 2:28. [Also compare the Biblical Article God and Judgment.]

851	To be presented to him: The parousia-judgment of the Church or Household. [2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 2:28]

LK19:16 Now the first came and said: ‘Master, your mina has increased ten times.’ 852

852

Increased ten times: To simplify the meaning we might say this slave produced ten new faithful disciples for the Nazarene. Upon his Return the Lord will be interested in what we did with his mina or talent. Will we be able to point to others right there in his presence who were the result of our sharing the Gospel with others.

LK19:17 So the master said to him, ‘Excellent, good slave! 853 Because you were faithful in a small matter receive authority over ten cities.’

853	Excellent, good slave: Or, PME: splendid, my good fellow; NOR: wonderful. That moment of 1 John 2:28 of being able to speak without a guilty conscience.

LK19:18 Then the second came and said, ‘Master, your mina has increased five times.’ LK19:19 And so he also said to this one, ‘You be [ruler] over five cities!’ LK19:20 Then another came forward and said, ‘Master, look, here is the mina you gave me. I saved it in this sweat cloth. LK19:21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh person. 854 You take what you did not deposit and you reap what you did not sow.’

854

You are a harsh person: This is the evil slave’s view. It is always interesting how people who fail at something blame others. This is the self-justification and rationalism of that shamed person in 1 John 2:28. The evil slave actually accuses his Lord of dishonest practices. Some view Christ as “warm and fuzzy” and all-forgiving, and yet when viewed totally the Lamb is also King and Judge. He is described in a fearsome manner in Revelation chapter 1 and his words in the seven apocalyptic epistles show a strong and direct side.

LK19:22 The master told him, ‘From your own mouth I will judge you, 855 evil slave. You were aware that I am a harsh person – taking what I do not deposit and reaping where I do not sow –

855	From your own mouth I will judge you: The parousia-judgment. Compare notes on Matthew 12:35-37.

LK19:23 so why did you not put my money in the bank? Then upon my return I could collect it with interest.’ 856

856

With interest: The evil slave made no profit at all with the Master’s money. Indeed, in some economic markets the coin would have actually devalued. The Lord of the House has given to each one spiritual blessings according to their ability. [Romans 12:3] This may be illustrated by a story from the American Red Cross lifeguard manual. A ferry sinks near a pier. All on the ferry are drowning. A lifeguard dives in but there are so many people they grab him and they all sink to the bottom. The lifeguard pushes off again and again from the bottom and saves the first group. He returns several times, doing this over and over again, until all are saved. But only a few feet from the dock he is completely spent and begins to drown himself. An old man who was unable to do anything before now reaches out with his cane and pulls the powerful lifeguard to the dock. The lifeguard is like the slave with ten minas – much is expected of him – so he saves many. The elderly man can only do what his limitations permit, in this case the saving of the lifeguard himself.

LK19:24 So the master told those standing near, ‘Take from him the mina and give it to the one with ten!’ LK19:25 But they responded, ‘Master, he already has ten minas.’ [The master said,] LK19:26 ‘I tell you all that everyone who has more will be given, 857 but the one who does not have, 858 even what he has will be taken away!

857

Everyone who has more will be given: Responsibility and privilege never end, but continue to always increase. Those who are talented, gifted, blessed – with physical strength and health, nervous and emotional energy, mental and intellectual gifts, Biblical knowledge, leadership abilities – must use these while they have them to increase the Master’s interests within his Church. It may be that one individual lacks strength, time, or circumstances and assists a single person to Christian discipleship; BUT this person himself produces ten-fold and thus that person with one has shared. It is something like those who guarded the baggage of David’s men: they shared in the bounty of conquering the enemy.

858	The one who does not have: It is a sad statement on the modern Church as it enters the 3rd millennium that by far the majority of Christians are saving their Master’s mina in a sweat cloth.

LK19:27 Now bring before me those enemies of mine 859 who did not want me to rule over them and execute them right in front of me.’” 860

859	Those enemies of mine: The Jews in general, but particularly the Jewish hierarchy.

860	Execute them right in front of me: The ultimate outcome for many Jews who refused to have Christ reign over them. This may portend the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and/or the final judgment. See Romans 2:12.

Luke 19:28-40 – The King Enters Jerusalem

|| Matthew 21:1-11; 861 Mark 11:1-11; 862 John 12:12-16 863

861	Matthew 21:1-11: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

862	Mark 11:1-11: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

863	John 12:12-16: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on John.

LK19:28 Now after saying these things Jesus continued to travel up to Jerusalem. LK19:29 Then it happened as he came near to Bethphage and Bethany and the place called the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of the disciples, LK19:30 telling them: “Go into the opposite village and upon entering you will discover a colt tied up. No one has ever ridden this colt, and so after untying it bring it back here. LK19:31 And if anyone asks you why you have untied it, just tell them, ‘The Master has need of it.’” LK19:32 Then these two who were sent left and found it just as Jesus had told them. LK19:33 Then while they were untying the colt the owners of it asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” LK19:34 So they said, “The Master has need of it.” LK19:35 Then they led it to Jesus and after throwing their garments on the colt, they sat Jesus upon it. LK19:36 And as Jesus went along people spread out their garments on the road. LK19:37 As he already was descending the Mount of Olives, the crowd of the disciples began rejoicing, praising The God with a loud voice about all the miracles they had witnessed. LK19:38 They shouted, “‘Blessed is the king coming in YHWH’s Name!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the heights!” [Psalm 118:26] LK19:39 Now some of the Pharisees in the crowd told Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” LK19:40 Jesus responded by saying: “I tell you this: if these remain silent the rocks will cry out.” 864 [Habakkuk 2:11]

864	The rocks will cry out: The wording is similar to Habakkuk 2:11 and Jesus may borrow the language.

Luke 19:41-44 – Jesus Weeps for Jerusalem

LK19:41 Now as Jesus approached Jerusalem, when he saw the city, he began to cry over it. 865

865	He began to cry over it: Or, KJV: wept over it; MON: broke into loud weeping; WMS: burst into tears.

LK19:42 He said: “If only you, even you, realized in this day 866 the things making for peace! 867 But now it has been hidden from your eyes! 868

866	Realized in this day: Or, KJV: if thou hadst known; NEB: if only you had known, on this great day; PME: even at this eleventh hour.

867

The things making for peace: Or, KJV: the things which belong unto thy peace; RIE: the road to peace; WEY: what makes for peace; MOF: on what your peace depends; RHM: the conditions of peace. That is, Israel’s peace with God. As a city, Jerusalem rejects the Messiah and is punished for it between the years of 66-73 AD until the end of the Jewish war with Rome.

868	It has been hidden from your eyes: Or, BEC: it is hidden so that you can’t see it; RIE: you were not allowed to see it.

LK19:43 Because days will arrive upon you when your enemies will construct a palisade with pointed stakes! 869 They will encircle you and distress you from every side!

869

A palisade with pointed stakes: Or, KJV: that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee; TCN: surround you with earthworks; MOF: will throw up ramparts round you; RIE: will fix a palida around you; NEB: will set up siege-works against you; NOR: will build an embankment around. This indeed occurred as it is recorded in Josephus. Both in 66 and 70 AD Jerusalem was surrounded by the Roman armies. In 70 AD one million Jews perished in the siege. The Nazarene’s words are paraphrases of Daniel’s prophecy from over 500 years before. [Daniel 8:10; 11:15ff]

LK19:44 Then they will dash to the ground 870 you and your children 871 within you. They will not let a stone remain on a stone 872 because you did not discern the time of your inspection!” 873 [Daniel 8:10-14; 9:26; 11:15; 12:7]

870	They will dash to the ground: Or, KJV: and shall lay thee even with the ground; RHM: will level thee with the ground; MOF: raze you to the ground; KNX: bring down in ruin.

871	Children: The great tragedy was that during the cataclysm on Jerusalem in 70 AD Jewish mothers boiled and cannibalized their own children.

872	They will not let a stone remain on a stone: Compare Matthew 24:2, Mark 13:2, Luke 21:6. [Daniel 8:11, 13; 9:26; 11:16]

873	Because you did not discern the time of your inspection: Or, KJV: time of thy visitation; KNX: not recognize the time of my visiting thee; GDS: because you did not know when God visited you; NEB: God’s moment when it came.

Luke 19:45-48 – A Second Visit to the Temple

|| Matthew 21:12, 13; 874 Mark 11:15-18 875

874	Matthew 21:12, 13: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

875	Mark 11:15-18: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

LK19:45 Then Jesus entered the Temple area and he began to throw out 876 those selling,

876	He began to throw out: According to John’s Gospel Jesus had also done this at the beginning of his ministry. Compare notes on John 2:14-16.

LK19:46 telling them: “It has been written: ‘And my House will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a cave of robbers!” [Isaiah 56:7; Jeremiah 7:11] LK19:47 And Jesus continued teaching daily in the Temple area. However, the chief priests and the Bible Copyists, as well as the leading men among the people, were seeking to kill him. LK19:48 But they could not devise a way to do what they wanted to do, for all the people hanging onto Jesus to listen to him.

Review Questions on Chapter Nineteen