Translations
Modern
While the people were listening to this, Jesus proceeded to tell them a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and they thought the kingdom of God would appear imminently.
Traditional
And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
Literal
Now in their hearing these things, having proceeded, He spoke a parable because of His being near Jerusalem and their thinking that the kingdom of God is about to appear immediately.
Latin
Hæc illis audientibus adjiciens, dixit parabolam, eo quod esset prope Jerusalem: et quia existimarent quod confestim regnum Dei manifestaretur.
Original
Greek
English
While the people were listening to this, Jesus proceeded to tell them a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and they thought the kingdom of God would appear imminently.
Notes
This parable has two main purposes:
To teach stewardship. This means managing gifts and resources well while the man of noble birth (Jesus) is away (compare Matthew 25:14–30).
To correct the belief that the kingdom of God would start immediately when Jesus entered Jerusalem. Most Jews in the time of Jesus expected that when the Messiah (the Christ) came, God’s kingdom would be established physically on earth, with Jerusalem at its center (see Isaiah 2:2–4; 35:1–10; 65:17–25; Jeremiah 30–31; Ezekiel 37, 40–48; Micah 4:1–5).
Events
Parallels
Places
Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions
Glossary
Topics
Jesus, the Christ: Enunciates the Parable of the Pounds (In Jericho) Jesus, the Christ: Parable of The Pounds