Biblical Verses Biblical Verses & Resources

Book of Luke - Chapter 19 - Verse 11

19:11
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.

Meaning

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples as they were approaching Jerusalem, and he wanted to convey an important message to them. The disciples had a common belief that the kingdom of God would come swiftly and suddenly, perhaps in a grand and miraculous way. However, Jesus wanted to correct this misconception and teach them through a parable that the kingdom of God would come in God's timing and not necessarily in the way they expected. By speaking in parables and using symbolic language, Jesus was able to communicate deep spiritual truths that required contemplation and reflection to fully understand. This verse highlights the importance of patience, faith, and readiness for the kingdom of God, which may manifest in ways that are different from our human expectations.

Theological Overview

Jesus often spoke in parables to convey deeper spiritual truths to his followers. In this verse, Jesus speaks a parable as he is nearing Jerusalem, where he knows he will soon face rejection and crucifixion. The disciples, like many others at the time, expected the kingdom of God to be established in a physical, immediate manner, possibly with Jesus reigning as a political king. However, Jesus uses this opportunity to teach them that the kingdom of God is not of this world and that it operates in God's time, not according to human expectations. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights Jesus' divine wisdom in using parables to challenge misconceptions and reveal the spiritual reality of his kingdom. The word "parable" itself comes from the Greek word "parabole," which means a placing beside or comparison. This emphasizes the need to look beyond the surface of Jesus' teachings and understand the deeper meanings he intended to convey.

American Standard Version

And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and [because] they supposed that the kingdom of God was immediately to appear.
Previous VerseNext Verse