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King James Version

Luke 19:12

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Civil Service;   Faithfulness;   Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Judgment;   Kingdom of Heaven;   Opportunity;   Probation;   Responsibility;   Servant;   Steward;   Trustee;   Unfaithfulness;   Works;   The Topic Concordance - Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ;   Kingdom of God;   Servants;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Hatred to Christ;   Parables;   Second Coming of Christ, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Parable;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Day of the lord;   Millennium;   Parables;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Kingdom of God;   Responsibility;   Wealth;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Zacchaeus;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Bethany;   Issachar;   Jerusalem;   Parable;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Banking;   Commerce;   Interest;   Jonah;   Luke, Gospel of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Parable;   Wealth;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Archelaus ;   Ascension;   Asceticism (2);   Character;   Common Life;   Debt, Debtor (2);   Discourse;   Equality;   Money (2);   Nobleman;   Political Conditions;   Pound ;   Profit;   Property (2);   Readiness;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Selfishness;   Social Life;   Steward, Stewardship;   Supremacy;   Talents ;   Trade and Commerce;   Wealth (2);   Winter ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Kingdom, Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Chief parables and miracles in the bible;   Zacch us;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Pound;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Talent;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   Kingdom or Church of Christ, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Christ, the Exaltation of;   Herod;   Immortal;   King, Christ as;   Millennium: Premillennial View;   Noble;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Therefore he said: “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king
King James Version (1611)
He said therefore, A certaine noble man went into a farre countrey, to receiue for himselfe a kingdome, and to returne.
English Standard Version
He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.
New American Standard Bible
So He said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then to return.
New Century Version
He said: "A very important man went to a country far away to be made a king and then to return home.
Amplified Bible
So He said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to obtain for himself a kingdom, and [then] to return.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
So He said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.
Legacy Standard Bible
So He said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return.
Berean Standard Bible
So He said, "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship and then return.
Contemporary English Version
and Jesus told them this story: A prince once went to a foreign country to be crowned king and then to return.
Complete Jewish Bible
Therefore he said, "A nobleman went to a country far away to have himself crowned king and then return.
Darby Translation
He said therefore, A certain high-born man went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and return.
Easy-to-Read Version
So he said, "A very important man was preparing to go to a country far away to be made a king. Then he planned to return home and rule his people.
Geneva Bible (1587)
He saide therefore, A certaine noble man went into a farre countrey, to receiue for himselfe a kingdome, and so to come againe.
George Lamsa Translation
And he said, A great man of a noble family went to a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and return.
Good News Translation
So he said, "There was once a man of high rank who was going to a country far away to be made king, after which he planned to come back home.
Lexham English Bible
Therefore he said, "A certain nobleman traveled to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
Literal Translation
Then He said: A certain wellborn man went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and to return.
American Standard Version
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
Bible in Basic English
So he said, A certain man of high birth went into a far-away country to get a kingdom for himself, and to come back.
Hebrew Names Version
He said therefore, "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
International Standard Version
So he said, "A prince went to a distant country to be appointed king and then to return.Matthew 25:14; Mark 13:34;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And he said, A certain man of a noble house [fn] went into a distant country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
Murdock Translation
And he said: A certain man of high birth was going to a distant place, to obtain royalty, and return again.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
He sayde therfore: A certayne noble man went into a farre countrey, to receaue for hym selfe a kyngdome, and to come agayne.
English Revised Version
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
World English Bible
He said therefore, "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
Weymouth's New Testament
So He said to them, "A man of noble family travelled to a distant country to obtain the rank of king, and to return.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor he seide, A worthi man wente in to a fer cuntre, to take to hym a kyngdom, and to turne ayen.
Update Bible Version
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
Webster's Bible Translation
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
New English Translation
Therefore he said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.
New King James Version
Therefore He said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
New Living Translation
He said, "A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return.
New Life Bible
So Jesus said, "A leader of a country went to another country far away. A nation was to be given to him, then he would return home.
New Revised Standard
So he said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to get royal power for himself and then return.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
He said, therefore - A certain man, of noble birth, went into a country far away, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
Douay-Rheims Bible
He said therefore: a certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
Revised Standard Version
He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
He sayde therfore: a certayne noble man wet into a farre countre to receave him a kyngdome and then to come agayne.
Young's Literal Translation
He said therefore, `A certain man of birth went on to a far country, to take to himself a kingdom, and to return,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And he sayde: A certayne noble ma wete in to a farre countre, to receaue hi a kyngdome, and then to come agayne.
Mace New Testament (1729)
a nobleman, said he, was going to travel to a foreign country, in order to have his kingdom confirm'd to him at his return.
THE MESSAGE
"There was once a man descended from a royal house who needed to make a long trip back to headquarters to get authorization for his rule and then return. But first he called ten servants together, gave them each a sum of money, and instructed them, ‘Operate with this until I return.'
Simplified Cowboy Version
He said, "A hard cow boss was summoned to the ranch owner's house far away to be made the ranch manager.

Contextual Overview

11 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. 12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

A certain: Matthew 25:14-30, Mark 13:34-37

a far: Luke 20:9, Luke 24:51, Matthew 21:38, Mark 12:1, Mark 16:19, Acts 1:9, Acts 1:10

to: Matthew 28:18, John 18:37, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Ephesians 1:20-23, Philippians 2:9-11, 1 Peter 3:22

and: Acts 1:11, Acts 17:31, Hebrews 9:28, Revelation 1:7

Reciprocal: Numbers 24:19 - shall destroy Psalms 99:1 - Lord Song of Solomon 8:14 - Make haste Daniel 7:14 - given Matthew 18:23 - which Matthew 21:33 - went 1 Timothy 4:14 - Neglect 2 Timothy 4:1 - his kingdom

Cross-References

Genesis 7:1
And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Genesis 19:14
And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
Genesis 19:17
And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
Genesis 19:22
Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
Genesis 19:23
The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
Numbers 16:26
And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their's, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
Jeremiah 32:39
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
2 Peter 2:7
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
2 Peter 2:9
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

He said therefore,.... The following parable, with the above said design and view:

a certain nobleman; the son of a great family, as the Syriac version renders it; of noble descent, of an illustrious extract; by whom is meant Jesus Christ, who was a "man", as he agreed to be, and was prophesied of as such; and who frequently appeared in an human form before his incarnation; and was now actually become man, though not a mere man: and he may truly be said to be "noble"; not only as the word may signify, as it sometimes does, a person of great authority and power, and of great generosity and goodness, but one of a noble birth; for Christ, as man, descended from the kings of the house of Judah, and was the son of David; and from the Jewish fathers and ancestors of the greatest renown, as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and he may be so called as man, because of the union of the human nature to the Son of God; or because of his divine relation, as the Son of God: this illustrious person,

went into a far country; by which, heaven is meant; so called, not only because of its distance from the earth, but in comparison of the earth, as a place of pilgrimage; and because that it is out of sight, and the views which are had of it, are very distant ones: hither Christ went at his ascension; he came from heaven at his incarnation, by the assumption of human nature; he stayed here awhile, till he had done his work he came about, and then went up to heaven; where he is received, and from whence he is expected again: the end of his going there is,

to receive for himself a kingdom: by which is intended, not the kingdom of nature and providence; for that he had, and did not receive from another; it was his of right, and by nature; nor the kingdom of grace, set up in the hearts of his people, and which was already within many of them; nor the kingdom of glory, prepared for them from the foundation of the world; though into this he entered at his ascension, and took possession of it for himself and them: but a more visible display of his mediatorial kingdom, he received from his Father; and which, upon his ascension, became more manifest, by the dispossessing of Satan, and casting him out of the Gentile world; by converting large numbers of his people, both among Jews and Gentiles; and by ruling in their hearts, subduing their enemies, and protecting and defending them; and by thus reigning till he has gathered them all in, either in Judea, or in the whole world, and then he will come again:

and return; either to destroy the Jews; the doing of which fully proved he had received his kingdom, was vested with power and authority, and was made, or declared Lord and Christ; or at the end of the world, to judge both quick and dead: and this is said, to show that his personal glorious kingdom on earth, or his kingdom in its greatest glory here, will not be till he comes a second time; and to engage diligence in his servants in the mean while; and to keep up the faith, hope, and expectation of his coming again.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A certain nobleman - A prince; a man descended from kings, and having a title, therefore, to succeed in the kingdom.

Went into a far country ... - This expression is derived from the state of things in Judea in the time of the Saviour. Judea was subject to the Romans, having been conquered by Pompey about sixty years before Christ. It was, however, governed by “Jews,” who held the government “under” the Romans. It was necessary that the prince or king should receive a recognition of his right to the kingdom by the Roman emperor and, in order to this, that he should go to Rome; or, as it is said here, that he might receive to himself a kingdom. This actually occurred several times. Archelaus, a son of Herod the Great, about the time of the birth of Jesus, went to Rome to obtain a confirmation of the title which his father had left him, and succeeded in doing it. Herod the Great, his father, had done the same thing before to secure the aid and countenance of Antony. Agrippa the younger, grandson of Herod the Great, went to Rome also to obtain the favor of Tiberius, and to be confirmed in his government. Such instances, having frequently occurred, would make this parable perfectly intelligible to those to whom it was addressed. By the nobleman, here, is undoubtedly represented the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ; by his going into a far country is denoted his going to heaven, to the right hand of his Father, “before” he should “fully” set up his kingdom and establish his reign among men.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Luke 19:12. A certain nobleman — In the following parable there are two distinct morals intended; let it be viewed in these two points of light. 1. The behaviour of the citizens to the nobleman; and, 2. The behaviour of his own servants to him.

1. By the behaviour of the citizens, and their punishment, (Luke 19:14; Luke 19:27,) we are taught that the Jews, who were the people of Christ, would reject him, and try to prevent his reigning over them in his spiritual kingdom, and would for that crime be severely punished by the destruction of their state. And this moral is all that answers to the introductory words, Luke 19:11. And they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

2. The other moral extends itself through the whole of the parable, viz. that the disciples of Christ, who are his servants; and who made a good improvement of the favours granted them by the Gospel, should be rewarded in proportion to the improvement made under the means of grace. This latter moral is all that is intended by Matthew in Matthew 25:14, c., who mentions this parable as spoken by Christ after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem though Luke has here placed that event after the parable. See Bishop PEARCE.

The meaning of the different parts of this parable appears to be as follows.

A certain nobleman - The Lord Jesus, who was shortly to be crucified by the Jews.

Went into a far country — Ascended to the right hand of the Divine Majesty.

To receive a kingdom — To take possession of the mediatorial kingdom, the right to which, as Messiah, he had acquired by his sufferings: see Philippians 2:8-9; Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:8-9. In these words there is an allusion to the custom of those days, when they who had kingdoms or governments given unto them went to Rome to receive that dignity from the emperors. Bishop PEARCE. In proof of this, see Josephus, Ant. l. xiv. c. xiv., where we find Herod went to Rome to receive the sanction and authority of the Roman emperor. And, from lib. xvii. c. 3, we learn that his successors acted in the same way.

And to return. — To judge and punish the rebellious Jews.


 
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