Luke 19:12

19:12 Therefore he said, “A nobleman ¹  went to a distant country to receive ²  for himself a kingdom and then return. ³ 

Luke 6:34

6:34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to be repaid, ⁴  what credit is that to you? Even sinners ⁵  lend to sinners, so that they may be repaid in full. ⁶ 

[19:12]  ¹ tn Grk “a man of noble birth” or “a man of noble status” (L&N 87.27).

[19:12]  ² sn Note that the receiving of the kingdom takes place in the far country. This suggests that those in the far country recognize and acknowledge the king when his own citizens did not want him as king (v. 14; cf. John 1:11-12).

[19:12]  ³ sn The background to this story about the nobleman who went…to receive for himself a kingdom had some parallels in the area’s recent history: Archelaus was appointed ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea in 4 b.c., but the people did not like him. Herod the Great also made a similar journey to Rome where he was crowned King of Judea in 40 b.c., although he was not able to claim his kingdom until 37 b.c.

[6:34]  ⁴ tn Grk “to receive”; but in context the repayment of the amount lent is implied. Jesus was noting that utilitarian motives are the way of the world.

[6:34]  ⁵ sn See the note on the word sinners in v. 32.

[6:34]  ⁶ tn Grk “to receive as much again.”