I would like to know how Christians interpret Luke 19:27. Thanks! :)

Jesus was employing the use of fiction, specifically a parable to show how harshly earthly rulers deal with servants who do not show a return on what is entrusted in them - for the purpose of teaching that God expects nothing less from our stewardship as a much more gracious sovereign. Luke places this teaching strategically between the story of the tax collector who came to understand his responsibilities and was forgiven of all his dishonest dealings and the triumphal entry into Jerusalem where the passion would take place. He was showing that with a great gift, such as the knowledge of truth, there comes a great responsibility to invest ourselves and our knowledge into others.That is my understanding. The treatment ofn the "enemies" is part of the backdrop of the story but is not employed to describe God's ways.

Good question. Thanks for asking.

Read the whole story. It's not much for moral teaching - unless you're teaching a banker - but it's not quite as bad as this one line makes it look :-)

Most of the Bible is multi-layered and has multiple meanings. That is why it can seem to mean one thing at one point in your life, and something else at another point. You usually can't just "translate" it and say "Okay, that's what it means." You have to pick apart all the different layers of meaning. You've gotten some good responses, and they definitely add to your understanding of the parable.

Let's remember that whatever the earthy ruler is doing, the real King is God. The ruler may think he is making things happen, but he has limited abilities, even as a king. The experiences of Joseph and Moses with Pharoah illustrated that point quite nicely. When we serve God wholeheartedly, our earthly rulers will benefit, and when we refuse to serve God, we will hide our gifts in the sand and no one will receive any benefit. Think of Joseph, who served God when he was a slave in Egypt. When he was imprisoned in the house of the captain of the guard, the captain of the guard was blessed by his presence because Joseph was serving God. The whole household prospered by Josephs presence. And when Joseph was in the household of Pharoah, that whole household prospered too. Finally, Joseph's abilities were noticed and he was made second in command in Egypt. Did he set out to be second in command in Egypt? No, he set out to serve God. He was faithful in small things, and used the talents God gave him.

Another layer of meaning to peel off of this parable is the idea that to whom much is given, much will be expected. God blesses us according to our obedience and faithfulness to Him. He expects us to remember that whatever we have is on loan from Him. It isn't ours because we earned it. If we had the abilities to earn it, He gave us those abilities. If the materials existed to be earned, He made them. Which of us can speak a world into existence? What we have, He gave us. He expects a return on His investment. Lets remember that the word used here is usually talent. A talent was a gold coin, but it has also come to mean the abilities you have. Both are to be dedicated to God.

The next layer, would be what tomsims gave you. I won't add to that, as he did a great job of it.

But a final layer (for me at least) is that there is going to be a judgement. God is much more forgiving and forebearing than the earthly ruler portrayed here. He sacrificed Himself so that you don't have to suffer the fate of the enemies killed at the end of the story. Nevertheless, there will be many who will suffer that fate of their own free will, rather than bend their knee before Someone whom they did not want to see made King. The question is, will you acknowledge His Kingship, or will you share their fate?

Jesus desires that you love your earthly human enemies and if they do wrong against you, you should forgive them. But Jesus was very clear and to the point in this verse. He did not state to love and forgive the enemy of God, and His (Being God's) enemy. He stated that if you are the enemy of God, not him as a man, and He was speaking about the Jews who are the enemies of God that Jesus should not reign over them, they (Jews) shall be brought before Him (Jesus or God) and slain there before Him. The Jews are the children of satan that Jesus should not rule over them so they are the enemies of God and should be put to death. The Truth is the Truth whether someone likes it or not. Jesus was not Jewish and came from the bloodline of Abraham who was not Jewish. Mary, the mother of Jesus was not Jewish either and if Christians will read their Bible for the Turth, they will see that.

Some people may and will get mad at me for expressing this view, eventhough I have a constitutional right to do so and to believe as I will. But they will want their opinion respected but they will not respect other's beliefs. This is not to say that I believe this, but what I am saying is that some people do believe this and their right to believe should be respected.

So to those who will get "mad", get mad at the Bible and Jesus who said this. It is what it is you hypocrite as Jesus would so rightly say. You know not the truth and you are full of dead men's bones.

Some people will justify this as symbolic but when Jesus comes back, and He will, He will not come back as Tiny Tim bringing good tidings and flowers as He dances through the tulips. Jesus will return with a vengeance and with a sword and purge the earth of its wickedness and those who were the enemies of God will be tourmented in hell for eternity. The condemed Jesus to death and used the Romans to carry out their wishes and the blood of Jesus is on them and their children forever. They killed the prophets and they stole the land from the Palestinians and they kill the Palestinian women and children and may God forgive America who sends the Jews billions of $$ in foreign aide and bombs, jets, bullets and guns to carry out this slaughter and bloodbath of innoent people.

The Hard and Cold Truth.
Lucky Scheppf