The Parable of the Pounds or Talents: One Story in Two Different Contexts

Luke 19:11-27, known as the parable of the pounds or minas resembles the Matthean parable of the talents (25:14-30). Both parables share the same general structure, and yet there are several differences that set them apart. Scholars have tried to establish a link between these two parables. Various solutions have been proposed, but none of them seems to solve the problem. This paper attempts to establish a link between the two parables and answer the question as to what caused the main differences between the Matthean and Lukan version. A closer analysis of the parables and their context suggests that both parables go back to the same parable proclaimed by Jesus whereas the differences between the two parables can be traced back to different contexts, either immediate or broader. The presence of the nobleman who goes to a distant country in the Lukan parable links the parable of the coins to Jesus’ triumphal entry and to the crowds who proclaim Jesus as king (19:38). The delegation of those who oppose the nobleman’s kingship echoes Jesus’ conflict with Israel that has been steadily growing during the journey section (9:51-19:28).