ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Luke 19

Luke 19:1–10 Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus is an example of the kingdom of God bringing salvation to outcasts. It also provides a lesson on the proper place of money and possessions in God’s kingdom.

Luke 19:1 He entered Jericho ties this account closely with the previous one (see 18:35). Jericho at this time was quite different from the OT city. Herod the Great had built aqueducts, a fortress, a monumental winter palace, and a chariot race course near the more ancient town. Jericho had a tropical climate and access to water for agriculture.

Luke 19:2 chief tax collector. Jericho was a major toll collection point for goods passing east and west.

Luke 19:7 All grumbled is in sharp contrast to “glorified by all” (4:15). For the symbolism of Jesus’ eating with tax collectors and sinners, see note on 5:30; also 4:18; 5:32; 15:1–2.

Luke 19:8 Half of my goods includes Zacchaeus’s possessions, not just his salary. I (shall) give to the poor (compare 12:33; 18:22). if I have defrauded . . . I (shall) restore it fourfold (compare Ex. 22:1).

Luke 19:9 Today salvation has come indicates that with God all things are possible, and a rich man can be saved (see 18:26–27). By his actions, Zacchaeus reveals that he also is a true son of Abraham (see Gal. 3:7) and not just his physical descendant (see Luke 3:8).

Luke 19:10 to seek and to save the lost. Compare 5:32; 15:4; 6–7; 10; 24; 32.

Luke 19:11–27 This parable concludes Luke’s account of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (begun in 9:51). It is different from the parable of the talents in Matt. 25:14–30. Jesus sometimes told similar parables in different settings to emphasize slightly different truths.

Luke 19:11 he was near to Jerusalem. Expectations of a political messiah may have been extra high around Jerusalem. The parable will show that the kingdom will not be seen in its fullness until Christ returns. It begins in a small way and grows gradually until then (compare 13:18–21).

Luke 19:12 To receive for himself a kingdom means to receive authority over a kingdom. The kingdom that he is going to receive is not the far country to which he is traveling but the land from which he started out. Into a “far country” implies that the return of the nobleman (and the second coming of the Son of Man) will not take place immediately.

Luke 19:13 The rounded number ten shows that Jesus’ parable applies to all his disciples, not just the Twelve. A mina was about three months’ wages for a laborer, about 100 drachmas. “Engage in business until I come.” The NT in general views work and business activity in a positive way (compare Matt. 25:14–30; Luke 10:7; 19:13–23; Col. 3:23–4:1; James 4:13–15), but also as an area where there are substantial temptations to sin (see Matt. 6:19–21; 1 Tim. 6:9–10) and to exploit others (James 5:1–6). “Until I come” refers to the time between Jesus’ ascension and his return at the end of the age.

Luke 19:14 His citizens represents the Jews who hated Jesus. sent a delegation. This image would be familiar to the Jews since they had sent delegations to Rome protesting some of their local rulers.

Luke 19:15 When he returned refers to Jesus’ second coming.

Luke 19:16 your mina has made ten minas more. An unusually high return in real life, indicating unusual wisdom and faithfulness on the part of the servant.

Luke 19:17 “Well done, good servant!” What was important was their faithfulness in using their gifts and potential. faithful in a very little. Compare 16:10. you shall have authority over ten cities. This is one of several passages that teach degrees of reward and responsibility in heaven (see notes on 1 Cor. 3:14–15; 1 Tim. 6:17–19).

Luke 19:20 Lord, here is your mina. The third servant has hidden the mina away where it did no good for anyone and did not gain additional value. Those who fail to do anything useful with the resources, talents, spiritual gifts, and opportunities God has given them will fall under his displeasure. This may indicate that they are not true believers.

Luke 19:21 severe man. Strict and having high standards (compare Matt. 25:24). This is not intended as a description of Christ, for Luke 19:17, 19 show him to be abundantly generous and gracious. This servant does not know his master well, or else he is simply making up an excuse for his own failure.

Luke 19:26 The person who welcomes God’s rule and presence will be given more; the one who does not welcome him will lose even the little that he has (taken away).

Luke 19:27 But as for these enemies of mine may allude to the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70, but it also forecasts the final judgment of those who reject Jesus.

Luke 19:28–21:38 The Ministry of Jesus in Jerusalem. In this section, Luke’s Gospel is closely parallel to Mark 11:1–13:37.

Luke 19:28 Jerusalem. See Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus.

Luke 19:29 Bethany is on the eastern slopes of the Mount of Olives (see note on John 11:1). Although the location of Bethphage is not certain, it was clearly farther along the road from Bethany.

Luke 19:30 Go . . . on entering you will find. Either an example of Jesus’ foreknowledge or a prearrangement (see 22:13). A colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat implies a kind of purity that destines an animal for a sacred task (compare the sacrificial animals in Num. 19:2; Deut. 21:3). Matthew 21:2 mentions that a donkey was with the colt, but Luke mentions only the colt, which was most important because Jesus would ride on it (see note on Matt. 21:6–7).

Luke 19:35 set Jesus on it. Jesus fulfills a prophecy about the Messiah in Zech. 9:9 by riding on the donkey (see notes on Matt. 21:4–5; John 12:15).

Luke 19:36 spread . . . cloaks on the road. An act of respect (see note on Matt. 21:8; see 2 Kings 9:13).

Luke 19:37 On the Mount of Olives, see note on Mark 13:3. began to rejoice (see Zech. 9:9) and praise God. This came primarily from Jesus’ disciples.

Luke 19:38 Blessed . . . in the name of the Lord! A blessing from Ps. 118:26 that worshipers traveling to Jerusalem received (see note on Mark 11:9).

Luke 19:39–40 The Pharisees’ actions illustrate v. 14. the very stones would cry out. All creation was made to worship this King who is Lord of all.

Luke 19:41 he wept over it. See notes on 13:34; John 11:35. Though the rejection of Jesus by many Jews was predicted in the OT (see note on John 12:37–40), Jesus still feels great sorrow over their rejection.

Luke 19:42 this day. That is, the day when the true Messiah and King came, “the time of your visitation” (v. 44). The things that make for peace are the things that would lead the Jewish people to salvation (see note on John 14:27). But now they (the things that make for peace) are hidden (see note on John 12:37–40).

Luke 19:43–44 days will come. See note on 21:5–6. a barricade around you. Earthworks constructed by the Romans. tear you down . . . and your children. A result of the attack. not leave one stone. Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled in a.d. 70 when the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. See 2 Sam. 17:13; Ps. 137:7; Mic. 3:12.

Luke 19:45–48 Luke’s account of this incident is greatly shortened (compare Matt. 21:12–16; Mark 11:15–18). he entered the temple. See Matt. 21:12–17; Mark 11:15–17; see also Mal. 3:1. began to drive out those who sold. See note on Matt. 21:12. This probably occurred in the Royal Stoa, though it may have been in the Court of the Gentiles. den of robbers. See Jer. 7:11. chief priests and the scribes. They are acting as a group. The “chief priests” are not the high priests but members of the most prominent priestly families. See notes on Luke 5:17; 5:21–22. were (continually) seeking to destroy him. Luke’s first clear mention of a plot against Jesus’ life.