Just making sure what im reading is right...

**Divinus Arma** · 12-29-2006, 07:28

That Luke 19:27 is one bit of interesting info. Pretty easy to miss too. However, this one is getting really really misinterpreted here.

The Parable of the Ten Minas is a story told by Jesus about a Ruler or King, and the words of LUKE 19:27 are those of THE RULER and NOT of Jesus.

Here is the whole text in the New International Version for ease of reading:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

11While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. 12He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. 13So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.[a]'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.'
14"But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.'

15"He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.

16"The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.'

17" 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'

18"The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.'

19"His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.'

20"Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. 21I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.'

22"His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'

24"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.'

25" 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!'

26"He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. 27But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me."

Here is a link where one may read virtually any translation of the bible, but this link goes directly to the above passage. LINKY

Jesus frequently taught by parable to illustrate God and man's relationship to God. In this instance, Jesus is using this story to teach of what man should do with what God gives us on earth. He explains that we each are given an opportunity to invest in good by making positive choices that please God. He then explains that the man who takes the gift of choice from God and does nothing with it does not deserve the gift of choice to begin with.

As for the very last part Luke 19:27, Jesus is explaining that those who actively choose to go against God will be punished.

Our lesson in life is to take our gift of choice and use it to do God's will. By alligning our own personal ambitions with the ambition of God, we will have a fuller and more meaningful life. If we choose to do nothing and remain apathetic, then we have wasted our life and our gift. Finally, if we choose to do evil by opposing God, then we ruin our own lives and choose a life of pain for ourselves.

Believers in the afterlife may extend this to a consequence for our actions after our death. But believers in mortality can also take a lesson in this as a consequence which occurs in life.

**Alexander the Pretty Good** · 12-29-2006, 07:57

Great Div. You're taking away motivation for me to get off my butt and read more of one of the pillars of my faith.

And...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Mooks** · 12-29-2006, 08:00

Originally Posted by Spetulhu

He does call people enemies for not believing. Or rather for not bowing to him.

Luk 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.

As for shunning unbelievers he leaves his own mother outside when she comes calling!
Matthew:
12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
12:48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
12:49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Nope, this is not the kind of example I'd wish to follow.

I dont have my bible on hand at the moment. But I cant understand a word of those 5 passages.

**Alexander the Pretty Good** · 12-29-2006, 08:06

Try here. Just scroll down.

And it doesn't seem as bad as Spetulhu is saying. Jesus isn't say "lol my mom is an unbeliever shun'd!" I'm not sure why Jesus is putting his disciples first here, but I'm admittedly not a Bible scholar.

**Mooks** · 12-29-2006, 08:13

Personally, I dont know how you could completely not do any work on any given day. You have to do SOME work!

**Spetulhu** · 12-29-2006, 15:28

Oh yes, the parables. He admits to using confusing language so people won't understand him.

It's quite obvious that this isn't a "good" book, but who am I to try to help anyone? Case closed on my part.

**Divinus Arma** · 12-29-2006, 23:24

Originally Posted by Alexander the Pretty Good

Try here. Just scroll down.

And it doesn't seem as bad as Spetulhu is saying. Jesus isn't say "lol my mom is an unbeliever shun'd!" I'm not sure why Jesus is putting his disciples first here, but I'm admittedly not a Bible scholar.

Actually, Jesus is simply pointing out that all mankind is equal in the eyes of the Lord. This relates to Jesus' statements in Mark 12:29-31...

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Jesus explains that your love for your fellow man should be deep and equal. Your love for your neighbor should be equal to that of your love for your mother. Note that Jesus said nothing about your affinity for others. This is an important distinction because it shows we are allowed to "like" some people more than others. It is only our love that should be equal. Is this impossible? No. Difficult? Absolutely.

One may consider the complications of love, especially when considering the differences between romantic love and brotherly love. An open-minded reader should naturally understand that romantic love is coupled to lust and desire. When one takes away the sexuality of romantic love, it should be no different than any other type of love.

Speltulhu, I am not a believer in the divinity of Jesus, but I do attempt to understand and live by his teachings. As an existential eclectic, I would consider myself very open-minded.

Please share with me more why the teachings of Jesus are nothing but joy for life and love of God...

I see similar errors in the interpretation of the Qur'an.

Edit: Jesus used parables to explain very challenging concepts in a way that very simple people could understand.

**ajaxfetish** · 12-30-2006, 00:20

Thank you, DA. Spetulhu seriously misrepresented Jesus' words in the above passages, and I wasn't looking forward to trying to clarify them. You saved me a lot of effort, and I certainly couldn't have said it better.

Ajax