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Luke Chapter Nineteen

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Different Attitudes of the Citizens of the Kingdom of God towards the King

I. The tax collector Zacchaeus was saved------the true citizen of the kingdom of God received the Lord joyfully (v.1-10).

II. The parable that the lord delivered minas to the servants------whether the true citizens of the kingdom of God are good or evil is determined by whether they have used the minas well and gained the reward or punishment respectively (v.11-27).

III. The Lord sat on the colt and went into the Holy City------the true citizens of the kingdom of God welcomed the king with joy and praise (v.28-40).

IV. He wept over the city for its coming tribulation------the earthly citizens did not know the time of their visitation (v.41-44).

V. He cleansed the Holy Temple------the earthly citizens changed the house of prayer to the den of thieves (v.45-46).

VI. Two kinds of different reactions------the earthly citizens sought to destroy Him and there were people being attentive to hear Him (v.47-48).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Luke. 19:1 “Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.

   YLT: “And having entered he was passing through Jericho

   Meaning of Words: “pass through”: walk through.

 

Luke. 19:2 “Now behold there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector and he was rich.

   YLT: “and lo a man by name called Zaccheus and he was a chief tax-gatherer and he was rich ”

   Meaning of Words: “Zacchaeus”: just clean.

   Literal Meaning: “a chief tax collector” Zacchaeus may take charge of the taxes of the city of Jericho.

  “And he was rich.” At that time the city of Jericho was prosperous and it provided him the opportunity of collecting wealth illegally.

 

Luke. 19:3 “And he sought to see who Jesus was but could not because of the crowd for he was of short stature.

   YLT: “and he was seeking to see Jesus who he is and was not able for the multitude because in stature he was small ”

   Literal Meaning: “and he sought to see who Jesus was” He may hear the fame of the Lord Jesus and was attracted and wanted to see who He was.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The outer difficulties of circumstances------“the crowd” and one’s own difficulties------“he was of short stature” are always the blocks for us to pursue and know the Lord. However all difficulties cannot bother us at all as long as we pursue Him with our hearts.

2) Many times people surround the Lord Jesus (“the crowd”) and make men be unable to see Him for instance men’s concepts and words always pervert the will of the Lord and make men confused so that they “could not see”.

 

Luke. 19:4 “So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him for He was going to pass that way.

   YLT: “and having run forward before he went up on a sycamore that he may see him because through that [way] he was about to pass by.”

   Literal Meaning: “So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree” It shows that how urgent he was to see the Lord.

  “A sycamore tree” refers to a kind of fig sycamore in the land of Palestine (See Amos. 7:14). Its leaves are like that of a sycamore and its fruits are like that of a fig tree. Its branches are so strong to hold a grown-up man.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “So he ran ahead” Only when we are attracted by the Lord (See v.3) will we run after Him (Song. 1:4).

2) Every effort that we do in order to “see Jesus” won’t be in vain and in the end we will receive grace and see Him (See v.5).

3) Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector who was with high position (See v.2). He disregarded his fame and “climbed up into a sycamore tree” showing that his heart to see the Lord Jesus was very urgent. One’s intention greatly determines whether he could receive grace.

 

Luke. 19:5 “And when Jesus came to the place He looked up and saw him and said to him Zacchaeus make haste and come down for today I must stay at your house.’”

   YLT: “And as Jesus came up to the place having looked up he saw him and said unto him ‘Zaccheus having hastened come down for to-day in thy house it behoveth me to remain;’”

   Literal Meaning: “And when Jesus came to the place He looked up and saw him” It shows that the Lord Jesus already knew Zacchaeus because He knows all things (See John. 2:24-25). Zacchaeus formerly wanted to “see” Jesus and unexpectedly Jesus had already “seen” him. Now they saw each other and showed their feelings by the expressions in their eyes.

  “Zaccaeus make haste and come down” It shows that He knows His sheep and He calls His own sheep by name (John. 10:3 14).

   Spiritual Meaning: “for today I must stay at your house.” It symbolizes that the Lord Jesus is willing to dwell in the hearts of those who believe in Him (See John. 14:23; Rev. 3:20).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord clearly knows every heart that truly desires Him. Men may not know our dedication praise prayers to the Lord in secret and the suffering for Him. However He is fully aware of these.  

2) If anyone loves God this one is known by Him (1Cor. 8:3).

 

Luke. 19:6 “So he made haste and came down and received Him joyfully.

   YLT: “and he having hastened did come down and did receive him rejoicing;”

   Literal Meaning: “So he made hast and came down” Please note that in this story “ran ahead” (See v.4) “come down” (v.5) and “made haste and came down” showed that the prompt reaction of Zaccaeus accorded with the will of God. It was also closely related to Zaccaeus’ good behaviors of being saved.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “So he made hast and came down” Once we receive the word of the Lord we should react immediately.

2) Zaccaeus was a rich man (See v.2) however he was not joyful. When he met the Lord he “received Him joyfully”. It shows that: a) Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god (Ps. 16:4). b) Those whose hearts the Lord is not in are full of vanities. Once the Lord comes into their hearts they will be full of joy.

 

Luke. 19:7 “But when they saw it they all complained saying He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.’”

   YLT: “and having seen [it] they were all murmuring saying `With a sinful man he went in to lodge!’”

 

Luke. 19:8 “Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord Look Lord I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfold.’”

   YLT: “And Zaccheus having stood said unto the Lord `Lo the half of my goods sir I give to the poor and if of any one anything I did take by false accusation I give back fourfold.’”

   The Background: the Law of the Old Testament ordered that if a man stole something he should restore fourfold (See Exod. 22:1). David also said so (2Sam. 12:6). However if a man owes someone money he should restore it in the principal and shall add the fifth part more thereto (See Lev. 6:5; Num. 5:7).

   Literal Meaning: “Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord” “Stood” shows that it is very serious that he told the Lord his will. “Lord” shows that he confessed Jesus as his lord and he would hear Him from then on.

  “I give half of my goods to the poor.” It shows that: a) his attitude towards money had changed. b) he became merciful to the poor.

  “If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation” “False accusation” is the gentle expression of blackmail (See 3:14). Tax collectors always made high estimate of men’s treasure and income on purpose and in this way they extorted unlawful money.

  “I restore fourfold.” He did so in order to repay men willingly what he had unrighteously exploited.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The assurance of being saved shall be manifested in the one who has truly been saved (See 2Cor. 5:17). The change of one’s love towards money is specially the best testimony of one’s being saved.

2) Once a sinner receives the Savior His great power of salvation would deliver us from the occupation of treasure and make us clear up our past sinful live.

3) Men’s being delivered from the world and sins does not lie in the persuasion and encouragement of doctrines or their own willingness and determination but Christ’s urgency and strengthening in their hearts. 

4) That young rich man went away sorrowfully (See 18:23) proving that “it is impossible with men”. This rich man Zacchaeus could overcome the shackles of treasure proving that “it is possible with God” (See 18:27).

5) God’s salvation in Christ is abundant and His power is infinite. None of the states is too difficult for Him to deal with and none of men is too difficult for Him to save.

6) Believers should not be particular about trifle when they admit their sins and repay others. They should do it until the other has nothing to say and their own conscience is good.

 

Luke. 19:9 “And Jesus said to him Today salvation has come to this house because he also is a son of Abraham;

   YLT: “And Jesus said unto him `To-day salvation did come to this house inasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham;”

   Literal Meaning: “today salvation has come to this house” It shows that one’s being granted grace and saved is accomplished in a twinkle. One should not wait to be saved until he has known more knowledge of the Bible and improved his behavior gradually.

  “Because he also is a son of Abraham” It shows that he is one of those who are of faith and heirs according to God’s promise (See Gal. 3:7 29).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Today salvation has come to this house” God’s salvation comes to the unit of house. Therefore when preaching the glad tidings we should hope that not only the individual but also the whole family could be saved.

2) The Lord previously said to Zacchaeus that “I must stay at your house” (v.5). Now He says that “today salvation has come to his house”. It shows that where the Lord is there will be salvation there. Salvation is nothing else save the Lord Himself. 

3) The true sons of Abraham are those who have the faith of Abraham and bear the fruit of faith (See Rom. 4:16).

 

Luke. 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.’”

   YLT: “for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’”

   Literal Meaning: “which was lost” in the original is “the lost” and it refers to both the “lost” believers (See Matt. 18:11) and the “lost” sinners. According to the context it should refer to the latter. Therefore “the lost” here does not speak of believers who are lost in the world and sins but sinners who are wandering in the way to perish.

  This verse shows that the Savior did not come to Jericho by accident and He came to Jericho with the purpose of seeking a lost sinner just as He sought the sinful women in Samaria (See John. 4:4).

   Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord is willing to be sought by those who seek Him because He Himself is seeking men.

 

Luke. 19:11 “Now as they heard these things He spoke another parable because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.

   YLT: “And while they are hearing these things having added he spake a simile because of his being nigh to Jerusalem and of their thinking that the reign of God is about presently to be made manifest.”

   Meaning of Words: “appear”: discover be revealed.

   The Background: “they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.” The Jews who followed the Lord including the Lord’s disciples thought that He went to Jerusalem to reign to realize the kingdom of the Messiah and lead the Jews to be delivered from the enslavement of the Roman Empire.

   Literal Meaning: because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.” Here there are two reasons: one is that He was about to be crucified in Jerusalem and the second is that the disciples thought that He would reign and establish the kingdom. Their thoughts are opposite to each other. In fact there is still a long period of time from the death of the Lord to the time when He comes back and realizes the kingdom of God on the earth. Therefore the Lord Jesus spoke another parable here to teach the disciples.

  He spoke another parable.” The following parable continues the previous case that Zacchaeus was saved. It enlightens us that between the Lord’s departure and His second coming everyone who has been saved should prepare himself for the judgment of the kingdom in other words one’s position in the kingdom after the Lord’s coming shall be decided by how he uses and manages the grace that is given by the Lord when he lives on the earth.

 

Luke. 19:12 “Therefore He said: A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.

   YLT: “He said therefore `A certain man of birth went on to a far country to take to himself a kingdom and to return ”

   The Background: the Lord Jesus was good at obtaining material from local sources when preaching. At that time the palace of Archelaus was set in Jericho. When he left Jericho for Roman in order to receive the throne he delivered national affairs to his servants and asked them to manage his property. After he had left Jericho the Jews sent a delegation of fifty men to petition the Roman Empire so that Archelaus was removed from office and lost the throne of Judea painfully. When Archelaus was sent to be tetrarch of another district he gathered his servants immediately and settled accounts with them concerning all the accounts during the time of his journey to Roman and many of them were punished by him.

   Spiritual Meaning: “A certain nobleman went into a far country” “A certain nobleman” refers to the Lord Jesus. He is both God and man and He has the honorable divinity and noble humanity. “Went into a far country” indicates that the Lord rose up and departed out of the world to the heavens (See 24:51; Heb. 9:11; 1Pet. 3:22). “Far” implies that there will be a long period of time from the Lord’s departure to His second coming.

  “To receive himself a kingdom to return” It symbolizes that the Savior returns with the kingdom (See Dan. 7:13-14; Rev. 11:15; 2Tim. 4:1).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord Jesus first comes to be the Savior and then the king. He gives men the way to enter the kingdom as the Savior and then brings the kingdom to the world.

2) General believers usually receive the Lord Jesus as their Savior and have not received Him as the king in their hearts. Such believers have not lived in the reality of the kingdom of God and therefore they can not partake in the reward of the kingdom.

 

Luke. 19:13 “So he called ten of his servants delivered to them ten minas and said to them Do business till I come.'

   YLT: “and having called ten servants of his own he gave to them ten pounds and said unto them Do business till I come;”

   Meaning of Words: “do business”: occupy manage use.

   The Background: “ten minas” mina is a kind of unit of money in Greece and it is equal to a hundred Greek drachmas or Roman denarius. It is also equal to a common worker’s earning of a hundred day. 

   Spiritual Meaning: “So he called ten of his servants” “Ten” in the Bible represents perfection. “Servants” in the original refers to the bondman. It indicates that believers are bondmen who are bought by the Lord by His precious blood (See 1Cor. 7:22-23).

  “Delivered to them ten minas” The ten servants got ten minas and each of them got the same quantity one mina. Therefore here “minas” does not symbolize gift (See Matt. 25:15) or ability ministry position operation and so on. Because these are distributed to each individually as the Holy Spirit wills and each receives differently (See 1Cor. 12:4-11). The “minas” here indicates that every Christian on account of the redemption of the Lord Jesus receives the same grace and rights from the Lord------the privilege of the spiritual life the privilege to seek the kingdom of God and preach the glad tidings and so on. 

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) As far as life is concerned believers are virgins (See v.1) and should live for Him. As far as work is concerned believers are servants and should work for Him.

2) Ten servants symbolize all believers at all times and in all countries. Every believer is a servant of the Lord and also receives spiritual gifts from the Lord. None of believers could decline that “I do not have any gifts and therefore I do not need to hand over the accountants or do any service.”

3) Believers have to declare to the hostile world the message that the Lord is the king and preach the truth of Gospel.

4) The possessor of minas is the nobleman however the rights of use of minas have been delivered to the servants. Since believers have received the commission from the Lord they have the responsibility to use it well.

5) Believers all have received the faith from the Lord (See Jude. 3). The faith which was once delivered unto the Saints by the Lord is the capital which the Lord has instructed to believers so that we could use it to mange serve do business until the Lord comes back.

 

Luke. 19:14 “But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him saying We will not have this man to reign over us.'

   YLT: “and his citizens were hating him and did send an embassy after him saying We do not wish this one to reign over us.”

   Spiritual Meaning: “his citizens” symbolize the unbelieving Jews.

  “We will not have this man to reign over us.” It symbolizes that the Jews rejected the Lord who rose up and was taken up into heavens (See Acts. 2-9).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Believers should magnify the Lord as the king. However behaviors of many show that they have not let the Lord reign in their hearts.

2) Today the world is full of men who are hostile to the Lord and are unwilling to obey Him. The work (trade) that believers should do is to do our utmost to win them. 

 

Luke. 19:15And so it was that when he returned having received the kingdom he then commanded these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

   YLT: “`And it came to pass on his coming back having taken the kingdom that he commanded these servants to be called to him to whom he gave the money that he might know what any one had done in business.”

   Spiritual Meaning: “having received the kingdom” It symbolizes that the Lord descends in the air when He comes back.

  “He then commanded these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him” It symbolizes that believes shall be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (See 1Thess. 4:17).

  “That he might know how much every man had gained by trading” It symbolizes the judgment before the judgment seat of Christ (See 2Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) All the service of believers on earth today will be handed over before the Lord one by one in future (See 1Cor. 3:10-15). Therefore all our deeds on the earth today will be remembered in heaven (See 12:33) and they will also be remembered in the everlasting age (See 16:9).

2) The effect of our works today all belongs to the Lord and we will give account before the Lord in future. Therefore we should never have all to ourselves.

3) Believers’ all services works and the pursuit of life on the earth today will be handed over before the Lord one day sooner or later. Watchmen Nee wrote a poem that “I’m daily gazing at the light out of the Judgment seat that all my living and my works may stand the test of fire”.

 

Luke. 19:16 “Then came the first saying Master your mina has earned ten minas.'

   YLT: “`And the first came near saying Sir thy pound did gain ten pounds;”

   Literal Meaning: “your mina has earned ten minas” It means that he has used the mina that the Lord had given him to do business showing that the Lord gives them minas with the aim of hoping them to be good at using them and make more instead of keeping the minas.

   Spiritual Meaning: “Then came the first” “Came” refers to coming to the judgment seat of Christ.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord gives each of us the spiritual possessions in order to ask us to use manage and increase them. The more the spiritual capital is used the more it will increase.

2) Our bodies time intelligence the spirit and etc that are given by the Lord should be completely used by the Lord and we should live for the Lord.

 

Luke. 19:17 “And he said to him Well done good servant; because you were faithful in a very little have authority over ten cities.'

   YLT: “and he said to him Well done good servant because in a very little thou didst become faithful be having authority over ten cities.”

   Meaning of Words: “good”: fine well; “faithful”: trustworthy trustful.

   Literal Meaning: “good and faithful servant” “Good” refers to good intention and motive; “faithful” refers to good behaviors and performance.

   Spiritual Meaning: “you were faithful in very little” “Very little” symbolizes works in the Lord in this life.

  “Have authority over ten cities.” “City” is the realm of authority. “Have authority over ten cities” symbolizes that one reigns in the kingdom in future and reigns with Christ (See Rev. 2:26; 20:4 6).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) What the Lord demands us is not the greatness and prosperity of works but the “goodness” and “faithfulness”. Though Stephen did not do great work for the Lord (See Acts. 7) and he failed in men’s sight he was “good and faithful” in the Lord’s sight.

2) “Good and faithful” is in contrast with “wicked servant” in v.22 and therefore “good” refers to minding the things of the Lord and working diligently. 

3) No matter how many things we have done for the Lord it is only “a very little”. It is only the preparation that we have to experience in order to have authority over cities in future. The true services of believers are in the everlasting age (See Rev. 22:3).

4) We always think that we have served too much however it is “a very little” in the Lord’s sight. If we could see all the service in the Lord’s sight we will do cheerfully.

5) To those who are faithful in “a very little” in this life their rewards are to bear more responsibilities (“ten cities”) in future.

6) Those who serve “faithfully” today will have the authority over “ten cities”. Whoever will be great among believers let him be your minister (See Matt. 20:26).

7) Christians do not have the concept of “retirement” forever. The end of the earth is the beginning of the heavenly kingdom.

 

Luke. 19:18 “And the second came saying Master your mina has earned five minas.'

   YLT: “`And the second came saying Sir thy pound made five pounds;”

 

Luke. 19:19 “Likewise he said to him You also be over five cities.'

   YLT: “and he said also to this one And thou become thou over five cities.”

   Enlightenment in the Word: The servant who has earned ten minas could have authority over ten cities (See v.17) and the servant who has earned five minas could be over five cities. It shows that the spiritual authority is determined by the spiritual measure. The authority of Christ that we could manifest is decided by the measure of Christ that has been filled (“earned”) in us.

 

Luke. 19:20Then another came saying Master here is your mina which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.

   YLT: “`And another came saying Sir lo thy pound that I had lying away in a napkin;”

   Spiritual Meaning: “another” This servant symbolizes the unfaithful believers.

  “Which I have kept put away in a handkerchief.” It symbolizes that he has buried the grace and rights that the Lord has given him and he has not used them. It is the irresponsible behavior.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) This servant commits the sin of negligence and has not done the work of the Lord well. There are many people who commit this sin in the church and it seems that they do not have the will to serve the Lord at all.

2) Believers should seize the chance and make preparations before the coming of the Lord. We should not accomplish nothing during this period of time and lose the chance to serve the Lord further in future.

3) “Handkerchief” is used to wipe the sweat away instead of “putting away” the mina. He who is unwilling to strive to do the work of the Lord could not say that “our labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1Cor. 15:58) or that “the dead who die in the Lord may rest from their labors and their works follow them” (Rev. 14:13).

 

Luke. 19:21 “For I feared you because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.'

   YLT: “for I was afraid of thee because thou art an austere man; thou takest up what thou didst not lay down and reapest what thou didst not sow.”

   Literal Meaning: “for I feared you” He “feared” that he may lose the mina that he has received and it would become difficult for him to give the account before the Lord and therefore he dared not use it.

  “An austere man” refers to the strict demands. However its tone is not as strong as “hard” (Matt. 25:24). 

  “You collect what you did not deposit.” “Deposit” is the term of debit and credit and it refers to “loaning money to others”. The whole sentence means that “you collect the interest of what you did not loan to others”.

  “Reap what you did not sow.” This sentence is a common saying used by the ancient farmers: under normal circumstances sowing should be done first before reaping and then there will be harvest. Therefore the whole sentence means that “one wants to gain without paying.” It is just like the pharaoh in Egypt who did not give Israel straw and asked them to hand over bricks as usual (See Exod. 5:7-14).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord teaches us that “fear not and believe only” (See 8:50). He who truly loves the Lord does not fear (See 1John. 4:18).

2) The timid ones are afraid of the Lord men failure and less effort. They just let the world sins the flesh and other earthly persons and things cover up their spiritual rights and consequently they accomplish nothing.

3) The common difficulties that common Christians would encounter are timidity shame and fear so that they dare not serve the Lord positively.

4) We should not serve the Lord passively and we should use all that we have received from the Lord actively and positively.

 

Luke. 19:22 “And he said to him Out of your own mouth I will judge you you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.

   YLT: “`And he saith to him Out of thy mouth I will judge thee evil servant: thou knewest that I am an austere man taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow!”

   Literal Meaning: “you wicked servant” “Wicked” indicates that he did not do the will of the Lord and prated against the Lord.

  “You knew that…”It did not mean that the Lord admit that the servant’s evaluation of Him is correct. The Lord meant that “since you believed that I am that kind of people then you should…” Therefore the lord judges him out of his own mouth.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should know Christ more lest we may become “wicked” servants in His eyes because of our ignorance.

2) The Lord will judge us out of our own mouths.

 

Luke. 19:23 “Why then did you not put my money in the bank that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?'

   YLT: “and wherefore didst thou not give my money to the bank and I having come with interest might have received it?”

   Literal Meaning: “put my money in the bank” “bank” in the original is translated as “the desk of money-changers” and it is transformed from four-foot which is usually seen in the doorway of Greek banks. At that time banks were very small in scale and generally they did the business of deposit and exchange of money in trade bases.

  “I might have collected it with interest” “Interest” originally indicates offspring. Here it is transformed to describe the offspring of money i.e. interest on money loaned (as a produce).

   Spiritual Meaning: “my money” symbolizes rights of the spiritual life. “The bank” symbolizes the church. “Interest” symbolizes the bearing of the fruit of the spiritual life.

  “Put money in the bank so as to collect it with interest” meant that at least we could let other saints in the church share and use the spiritual blessings that the Lord has given us for example: when the assembly preaches the glad tidings though we are unable to bear witness or give the message at least we could bring friends to listen to the glad tidings pray for the meeting of gospel and etc and in this way we could help others to bear the fruit of gospel.

 

Luke. 19:24And he said to those who stood by Take the mina from him and give it to him who has ten minas.'

   YLT: “`And to those standing by he said Take from him the pound and give to him having the ten pounds”

   Spiritual Meaning: “Take the mina from him” It does not mean that the failing believers would lose the privilege of eternal life but that he will be punished by the Lord in the kingdom and lose the blessing temporarily. 

 

Luke. 19:25 “(But they said to him Master he has ten minas.')

   YLT: “(and they said to him Sir he hath ten pounds)”

 

Luke. 19:26For I say to you that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have even what he has will be taken away from him.  

   YLT: “for I say to you that to every one having shall be given and from him not having also what he hath shall be taken from him ”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) This principle could also be applied to services today: the more you have the more the Lord will give you. Whenever you stop improving what you have in the past will be taken away.

2) The more one loves others the more love will be given to him and vice versa.

3) “To everyone who has will be given”. This sentence shows the principle of abundance: if we do not detain the abundant Christ and are willing to supply others as a result of that we will be more abundant.

4) He who strives for the spiritual benefit of his own and others shall have more. He who neglects the Lord’s will and is barren and unfruitful will lose what he has.

5) No one could sit idle and enjoy the fruits of others’ labor in the kingdom of God. No one could reap the reward of the God without sowing.

6) When the Lord comes He not only judges and punishes men passively but also deals kindly with men and blesses them positively.

 

Luke. 19:27 “But bring here those enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them and slay them before me.’”

   YLT: “but those my enemies who did not wish me to reign over them bring hither and slay before me.’”

   Spiritual Meaning: this verse shows that the unbelieving Jews who rejected the Lord will be punished by the Lord.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Those who reject the reign of Christ and do not let Christ have the first place in all things (“did not want me to reign over them”) will perish finally (“slay them”).

2) He who does not magnify the Lord has lost his value and meaning of living in the sight of the Lord.

 

Luke. 19:28 “When He had said this He went on ahead going up to Jerusalem.

   YLT: “And having said these things he went on before going up to Jerusalem.”

   Literal Meaning: The Lord Jesus had finished His ministry of preaching on the earth till that time. After this He went to Jerusalem to be killed in order to accomplish the great work of redemption that God has commanded.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) That day the Lord Jesus went on ahead and led the disciples. Today the Lord Jesus also walks ahead and leads us. The Lord will make room for us no matter the future of us is sweat or bitter and therefore we should be at ease and walk forth. 

2) This verse shows that: a) The spirit of Christ is to meet the cross actively without any fear or scruple. b) Christ entered death first and then excluded the power of death. He opened a road of living for us in death and led us into the abundant position of resurrection just as what the story that the Ark of the Covenant passed over the Jordan typifies (See Josh. 3:14-17).

 

Luke. 19:29 “And it came to pass when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olivet that He sent two of His disciples

   YLT: “And it came to pass as he came nigh to Bethphage and Bethany unto the mount called of the Olives he sent two of his disciples ”

   Meaning of Words: Bethphage”: house of green (immature) figs;Bethany”: house of figs house of tribulation.

   Literal Meaning: “when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany at the mountain called Olivet” “The Mount of Olives” sat on the east of Jerusalem. “Bethphage” was a village close to Bethany on the south of the Mount of Olive (See Matt. 21:17).

   Spiritual Meaning: “Bethphage” means “the house of green figs” in the original. Figs symbolize the kingdom of Israel and the people of Israel (See Jer. 24:5). God hopes to gain a group of people on the earth to satisfy Him as figs.

  Jerusalem was the capital of God’s elect. Normally the Messiah should receive welcome and be respected by all the people in Jerusalem when He was coming to Jerusalem. However according to the record in this chapter when the Lord came to Jerusalem though there was a group of the multitudes giving welcome and exalting the Messiah their welcome was very superficial. What was worse He was even rejected by the leaders of Judaism (See v.47). These conditions were just like what the original meaning of “Bethphage” represented. The figs were still green------the Jews had not been ready for receiving the Messiah.

 

Luke. 19:30 “saying Go into the village opposite you where as you enter you will find a colt tied on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here.

   YLT: “having said Go away to the village over-against in which entering into ye shall find a colt bound on which no one of men did ever sit having loosed it bring [it];”

   The Background: “donkey” is a docile animal. Before the general use of horses among the Jews in the old times donkeys were used as the mount for the king (See Judg. 10:4 12:14 2Sam. 16:2). Since donkeys were not as powerful as horses the Bible compared donkeys with horses to show the lowliness and meekness of the one who rode upon the colt (See Zech. 9:9-10).

  “On which no one has ever sat.” The consecrated animal should never be used by men (See Num. 19:2; Deut 21:3; 1Sam. 6:7).

   Literal Meaning: “Go into the village opposite you” It was recorded in the Book of Matthew that the Lord sent the disciples in Bethphage to the village opposite (See Matt.21:1-2) so the village opposite might refer to Bethany. The Lord Jesus and the disciples went out to Bethany that night (See Mark. 11:11) and the colt might be given back to the owner by the way.

  “You will find a colt tied.” “Colt” refers to the young and immature donkey.

   Spiritual Meaning: here the colt has the following meanings:

a. “Colt” represents man in the world.

b. They were “tied” there typifying that men in the world without freedom are tied by livelihood family and work.

  c. The place where they are tied is “the village opposite” typifying that it is in the world.

d. The Lord asked the disciples to “loosen” them typifying that the Lord sent His servants (believers) to deliver us from the world and sins. 

e. They “were brought to the Lord” typifying that our being saved is that we are brought to the Lord.

f. The aim that the Lord saves us is that “the Lord has need of it” (See v.31) typifying that the Lord hopes that after we have been saved we would dedicate ourselves to Him for His need.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) There is authority in the words of the Lord. Only those who have obtained the words of the Lord will be “loosened” and be delivered.

2) The Lord could ride a colt “on which no one has sat” and He could also deal with a man who has never obeyed Him. No matter how hardened we are before the Lord He can always do with us.

3) The fruit devoted to the Lord is the first-fruit. The bull offered to God should never come yoke and the colt given to the Lord should also be the one “on which no one has sat”. We should devote the best to the Lord for His need.

4) The one who has been delivered has to be brought to the Lord (“bring it to me”) and then the Lord can use him.

 

Luke. 19:31 “And if anyone asks you Why are you loosing it?' thus you shall say to him Because the Lord has need of it.’”

   YLT: “and if any one doth question you Wherefore do ye loose [it]? thus ye shall say to him The Lord hath need of it.’”

   Spiritual Meaning: we believers were under the master of the world and were bound by things of the world and sins. However one day when the mighty words of the Lord came upon us we were immediately delivered from the power of darkness and dedicated ourselves to the Lord for His need.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Since our physical body intelligence and belongings are of the Lord when the Lord has the need of them we shall devote them to Him joyfully.

2) That the Lord’s disciples accomplished the work was only on account of the Lord’s words------“the Lord has need of it”. This work was apparently done by the disciples but actually the Lord’s word had taken the responsibility of them. Likewise when we serve the Lord today no matter preaching the gospels or visiting the saints it seems that we believers are doing the work. However the work will truly be effective only if the Lord’s word takes the responsibility.

 

Luke. 19:32 “So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them.

   YLT: “And those sent having gone away found according as he said to them ”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should trust and obey His words without any doubt.

2) No matter what the Lord commands as long as we obey it it shall be as it was told.

 

Luke. 19:33 “But as they were loosing the colt the owners of it said to them Why are you loosing the colt?’”

   YLT: “and while they are loosing the colt its owners said unto them `Why loose ye the colt?’”

  

Luke. 19:34 “And they said The Lord has need of him.’”

   YLT: “and they said `The Lord hath need of it;’”

   Literal Meaning: once the owners of the colt heard that “the Lord has need of it” they let them to drag the colt showing that they feared the Lord.

 

Luke. 19:35 “Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt and they set Jesus on him.

   YLT: “and they brought it unto Jesus and having cast their garments upon the colt they did set Jesus upon it.”

   Literal Meaning: “And they threw their own clothes on the colt” Here they used clothes as saddles.

   Spiritual Meaning: clothes” symbolized our external beauty and conduct. The Lord sat on the cloths showing that: 1) He was highly exalted and glorified; 2) men would personally experience His kingship through obedience; 3) we should walk with the purpose of manifesting His glory.

 

Luke. 19:36 “And as He went many spread their clothes on the road.

   YLT: “And as he is going they were spreading their garments in the way ”

   Meaning of Words: “spread”: strew underneath.

   Literal Meaning: “many spread their clothes on the road” “Many” since the Passover was coming many people from various regions came to Jerusalem for the feast. “Spread their clothes on the road” it was an act to show allegiance and respect to the king (See 2Kings. 9:13).

   Spiritual Meaning: the Lord sat on the colt and men spread clothes on the road. There were meanings as follows:

  1. Men (clothes) and animals (colt) are the representation of all things showing that the Lord might have the first place in all things (Col. 1:18) and all things are under His feet (Eph. 1:22).

  2. Clothes represent men’s outward behaviors of righteousness (Rev. 19:8). “Spreading…on the road” it refers to the separation from earthly things. The whole sentence shows that believers in life and behavior shall manifest the difference between what is of earth and what is of the Lord.

  3. Believers shall magnify Christ by their beings and works thus the world will know Christ’s being and works.

   Enlightenment in the Word: the faithful servant the Lord Jesus obeyed unto death so He faced Jerusalem------where He gave His life and went ahead without any fear so God proved Him gloriously by the welcome of all things. Likewise all those who do not flee from the cross and obey unto death will enjoy the welcome of all things with Christ that day (See Rom. 8:18-19).

 

Luke. 19:37 “Then as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen

   YLT: “and as he is coming nigh now at the descent of the mount of the Olives the whole multitude of the disciples began rejoicing to praise God with a great voice for all the mighty works they had seen ”

 

Luke. 19:38 “saying: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’”

   YLT: “saying ‘blessed [is] he who is coming a king in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven and glory in the highest.’”

   Literal Meaning: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!” The hymn is quoted from the Psalms however the word “King” was added by Luke. It was originally the blessing to the pilgrims (See Ps. 118:26). Here the disciples mentioned it to praise the Messiah i.e. their Lord Jesus.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When the Lord sat on the colt and the multitudes spread clothes on the road (v.35) the multitudes praised Him. In like manner when we fully obey the Lord the Lord will be highly exalted above all and become the center of praise.

2) When the glorious Lord appears to us we can’t refrain from rejoicing and singing praise.

 

Luke. 19:39 “And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd Teacher rebuke Your disciples.’”

   YLT: “And certain of the Pharisees from the multitude said unto him `Teacher rebuke thy disciples;’”

   Literal Meaning: “Teacher rebuke Your disciples” means “please command them to keep silent”.

 

Luke. 19:40 “But He answered and said to them I tell you that if these should keep silent the stones would immediately cry out.’”

   YLT: “and he answering said to them `I say to you that if these shall be silent the stones will cry out!’”

   Literal Meaning: “if these should keep silent” “Keep silent” means “do not speak” and “speak” in the original means “speak responsibly and necessarily and testify”. According to the Law of the Old Testament if the one who should bear witness keeps silent he bears his iniquity and is deceitful and dishonest (See Lev. 5:1).

  “The stones would immediately cry out” means “the stone would replace them to bear witness.” The Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem disregarded the salvation of the Lord Jesus persecuted His disciples and did not allow them to bear witness of the Lord and therefore the Lord made the Roman soldiers besiege the city of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and even pulled down the stones (See v.43-44). Therefore “the stones would call them and bear witness” testifies their sin of obstinacy.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Christ is the king of the universe and the beginning of the creature. Therefore He deserves the praise of human beings and the crying out of the stones.

2) If the disciples------who should praise God------do not praise Him God will raise the supernatural reaction in unexpected way------“the stones would cry out”.

3) Believers are the Lord’s witnesses. However if we keep silent and are unwilling to bear witness of the Lord the Lord will arise his witnesses from another place (See Esth. 4:14) because truth cannot be covered and light must be manifested.

 

Luke. 19:41 “Now as He drew near He saw the city and wept over it

   YLT: “And when he came nigh having seen the city he wept over it ”

   Meaning of Words: “wept over”: weep bitterly sob.

 

Luke. 19:42 “saying If you had known even you especially in this your day the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

   YLT: “saying `If thou didst know even thou at least in this thy day the things for thy peace; but now they were hid from thine eyes.”

   Literal Meaning: “the things that make for your peace!” It implies that unpeaceful things will soon take place in Jerusalem (See v.43-44). Its true peace will come until the Lord comes and the time when the kingdom of Israel restores (See Acts. 1:6).

 

Luke. 19:43 “For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you surround you and close you in on every side

   YLT: “`Because days shall come upon thee and thine enemies shall cast around thee a rampart and compass thee round and press thee on every side ”

   Literal Meaning: “days will come” It indicates the thing that would be fulfilled in A.D. 70.

  “Your enemies will build an embankment around you.” “Enemies” indicates the Roman army.

  “Surround you and close you in on every side.” It indicates the event that the Roman prince led soldiers to surround the city of Jerusalem.

 

Luke. 19:44 “and level you and your children within you to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another because you did not know the time of your visitation.’”

   YLT: “and lay thee low and thy children within thee and they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a stone because thou didst not know the time of thy inspection.’”

   Literal Meaning: “they will not leave in you one stone upon another” This sentence was fully fulfilled in A.D.70 literally. At that time the Romans under the lead of Titus completely destructed Jerusalem and the buildings of the temple and they even unclenched the stones to obtain the gold foil which had been melted into the stones from the roof of the temple when it was burnt up. Someone said that some stones had not been moved at that time. Till the dynasty of the Empire Julian he moved the stones that had been left because he wanted to rebuild the temple (this makes the Lord’s prophesy be completely fulfilled) however his plan to rebuild the temple gave up halfway.

  “Because you did not know the time of your visitation” It indicates that the Lord Jesus was born on the earth and brought the Jews the acceptable year of God and the visitation in grace (See 2:10-14; 4:18-22).

   Spiritual Meaning: “stone” typifies God’s elect and it also typifies believers (See 1Pet. 2:5).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The church that has thriving appearance and does not have the presence of the Lord will fall apart sooner or later and members of the church could not get along with each other (“not leave in you one stone upon another”) because the Lord allows this kind of church to be “destructed” by men’s hands.

2) Natural men (stones) cannot accompany with each other and be built together and therefore if our natural lives have not been destructed we cannot let the Lord have position in us and there won’t be the true building.

3) God gives men the chance to repent and be saved however if one has lost the chance he will be severely punished by God.

 

Luke. 19:45 “Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it

   YLT: “And having entered into the temple he began to cast forth those selling in it and those buying ”

   The Background: at that time businessmen were allowed by the priests in the Holy Temple to do business in the outer court of the Gentiles and sell oxen sheep and doves which would be used in the offering and sacrifices. It seemed apparently right about these commercial conducts but they actually carried critical crises as below: (a) the buying and selling in the areas of the Holy Temple would defile the divine places. (b) The right of worshipping God of the Gentiles would be deprived of when the business occupied the outer court of the Gentiles. (c) The priests colluded with the businessmen------the priests supplied much convenience to the businessmen (e.g. the priests had only loose and careless check of the sacrifices and even the sacrifices with blemish were regarded as qualified ones) and the business profited in high price------and then the priests and the businessmen divided the extortionate profits.

   Literal Meaning: “and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it.” “In it”: the yard of the Holy Temple that is open to the Gentiles.

   Spiritual Meaning: God’s temple was the place where God inhabits (Eph. 2:21-22) but there was a group of people who bought and sold in the temple and held gain to be piety (1Tim. 6:5). That the Lord Jesus cleansed the Holy Temple shows that God cannot have rest in this kind of temple.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When we are willing to let the Lord reign in our hearts all the dirtiness adulteration and sins in our hearts will be cleansed by Him. 

2) The Lord displeases with any condition that we make money through the spiritual thing.

 

Luke. 19:46 “saying to them It is written My house is a house of prayer ' but you have made it a den of thieves.’”

   YLT: “saying to them ‘It hath been written My house is a house of prayer but ye made it a den of robbers.’”

   Meaning of Words: den of thieves”: the lair of robbers.

   Literal Meaning: this verse puts the verses in the Book of Isaiah (56:7) and that in the Book of Jeremiah (7:11) together.

  This was the second time for the Lord to cleanse the Holy Temple. When the Lord started to work He had once cleansed the temple (See John. 2:13-17). Here when the Lord had almost finished His work he did it again. The first time He called the temple as “My Father’s house” (John. 2:16) because He cleansed the temple on the status of the Son of God. Here He called the temple “My house” because He is the Son of David------He cleansed the temple on the status of the Messiah.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God saves us to be His “temple” (See Heb. 3:6 “the house of God” is “the temple of God” in the original) and His dwelling place.

2) “A house of prayer” is the place where men have fellowship with and work with God and glorify God. “A den of thieves” is the place where men usurp the benefits of God and make it heavily polluted that God has no rest there.

3) The church and the spirit in us should be “the house of prayer”. But if Christ is not allowed to dwell there (see Eph. 3:17) they may become “dens of thieves”.

4) Since we believers have become the spiritual temple of the Lord we should not let the worldly possessions fill in us lest we become the den of thieves. We should often pray to the Lord and have fellowship with the Lord.

5) The church is the house of God and it is also “the house of prayer” towards God. Individual prayer is very important. However for many times the prayer of the church is much more powerful than individual prayer. Therefore we should always pray with other believers.

 

Luke. 19:47 “And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests the scribes and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him

   YLT: “And he was teaching daily in the temple but the chief priests and the scribes were seeking to destroy him also the chiefs of the people”

   Literal Meaning: “the chief priests the scribes and the leaders of the people” “the leaders of the people” refers to the elders of the people. The chief priests the scribes and the leaders of the people are the main members of the council.

  “Sought to destroy Him” The reasons for the Jewish leaders who wanted to destroy Jesus might be that: (a) the Lord rebuked them that they had changed the Holy Temple to the den of thieves (v.46). (b) The Lord said He was equal to the Father (John 10:33). (c) He had violated the Sabbath (6:6-11). (d) He had made Lazarus be raised (John 11:47 53).

   Spiritual Meaning: “the priests and scribes” represent religious leaders.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Holy Temple at that time had become the den of thieves but the Jewish leaders did not care for it. When the Lord Jesus came to cleanse it they even tried to destroy Him. The religionists only sought godly appearance in order to hold gain. They rejected the spiritual reality lest their sins should be exposed.

2) The nominal leaders of Christianity remain some religious customs but reject truth and attempt to destroy the truth.

3) Though the leaders of Judaism sought to destroy the Lord He was still teaching daily in the temple. Though the church of God suffers persecution they still preach the word of God.

 

Luke. 19:48 “and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him.

   YLT: “and they were not finding what they shall do for all the people were hanging on him hearing him.”

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

Zacchaeus Was Saved

1. He was in the city of Jericho (v.1)------he lived under the sinful and cursed circumstance.

2. He was a chief tax collector (v.2a)------his sins were extremely serious.

3. He was rich (v.2b)------he was occupied by money.

4. He sought to see who Jesus was (v.3a)------he heard the gospel and was attracted by the Lord Jesus.

5. Because of the crowd (v.3b)------he was hided from view by the circumstance of men (e.g. men’s words).

6. He was of short stature (v.3c)------he himself lacked capacity and experience.

7. He ran ahead (v.4a)------he spent more effort on pursuit with hearts than others.

8. Climbed up into a sycamore tree (v.4b)------he overcame the natural and earthly shortcomings.

9. For Jesus was going to pass that way (v.4c)------he knew the acts and the will of the Lord Jesus. 

10. Jesus looked up and saw him and said to him Zacchaeus (v.5)------actually the Lord knew him.

11. Received Him joyfully (v.6)------he believed and received the Lord with sincere heart.

12. The Lord has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner (v.7)------the Savior also dwelt in his heart.

13. Zacchaeus stood (v.8a)------he stood because of the power of salvation.

14. I give half of my goods to the poor (v.8b)------he was delivered from the occupation of money.

15. If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation I restore fourfold (v.8c)------he dealt with the past sins.

16. Jesus said to him “Today salvation has come to this house” (v.9a)------he experienced the salvation.

17. Because he also is a son of Abraham (v.9b)------because God remembered His promised covenant with Abraham.

18. The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (v.10)------because the Lord found and saved men.

 

The Parable of Delivering the Minas to Ten Servants

I. The servants who got the minas typify Christians:

  A. All of them were the servants of the Lord (v.13a)------servants means “slaves” who are bought by the precious blood by the Lord and belong to Him (See 1Cor. 7:22-23).

  B. The Lord delivered to them His minas (v.13b)------minas typify the spiritual blessings and rights that they gain on account of the salvation.

  C. The Lord asked them to do business (v.13c)------they should use and mange what they have received from the Lord

II. His citizens who hated Him typify the unbelieving Jews:

  A. They would not have Him to reign over them (v.14)------they rejected Him.

  B. They would be slain (v.27)------their end was perdition.

III. The servants who earned ten minas and five minas typify the overcoming Christians:

  A. When he returned having received the kingdom he might know how much every servant had gained by trading (v.15)-------when the Lord comes back judgment must begin at the house of God (1Pet. 4:17).

  B. They all did business by the minas (v.16 18)------they used the spiritual blessings and rights diligently.

  C. They earned minas (v.16 18)------the spiritual fruit was borne.

  D. They were all praised by the Lord (v.17 19)------they all gained the reward of the kingdom from the Lord.

  E. The only difference is that the reward that they gained is determined by the quantity of minas that they earned (v. 16-19)------the authority in the kingdom in future is determined by the spiritual capacity of each.

IV. The servant who had kept the minas put away in a handkerchief typifies the failing Christians:

  A. He did not use the mina to do business and had kept it put away in a handkerchief (v. 20)------he covered up the spiritual blessings and rights that the Lord had given him.

  B. He feared the Lord (v.21a)------he feared that he might lose the minas and would be punished by the Lord.

  C. He misunderstood the Lord as an austere man (v.21b)------he did not have the correct knowledge of the Lord.

  D. He was blamed by the Lord as the wicked servant (v.22a)------the servants who had the wrong intension and were lazy were wicked servants.

  E. Out of his own mouth the Lord judges him (v.22b)------when being judged any reason and excuse won’t be acceptable to the Lord.

  F. The Lord blamed him that why he did not put the money in the bank for interest (v.23)------the Lord asked believers to perform the little function in the church.

  G. The mina that he has was taken away from him and it was given to others (v.24-25)------in the time of the kingdom he will be punished by the Lord.

V. The principle of the reward of the kingdom:

  A. To everyone who has will be given (v.26a)------the Lord will reward those who are faithful in what He has entrusted.

  B. From him who does not have even what he has will be taken away from him. (v.26b)------the Lord will punish those who are unfaithful in what He has entrusted and make them suffer loss.

  C. Those who did not want the Lord to reign over them (v.27)------those who reject the Lord shall all perish.

 

The Appearance of the Kingdom of God

I. Jesus sat on the colt and went into Jerusalem (v.28-36)------the king of the kingdom of God came in lowliness.

II. The disciples rejoiced and praised (v.37-38)------those who knew the king rejoiced and praised.

III. The Pharisees envied and hated Him because of it (v.39)------those who did not know the king thought that they should not do so.

IV. If men keep silent the stones would immediately cry out (v.40)------the king is worthy of the praise of all.

V. The Lord wept over Jerusalem (v.41-44)------because her children did not know the time of her visitation. 

VI. The Lord cleansed the Holy Temple (v.45-46)------because men had changed the house of the king into the den of thieves.

VII. The Lord was teaching in the temple and it caused two kinds of different reactions (v.47-48)------some sought to destroy the king and some were attentive to hear the king.

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren