Luke 19:12

A certain nobleman. Obviously, Jesus here represents Himself. There is a striking similarity between this parable, commonly known as the parable of the Pounds, and that of the Talents recorded in Matt. 25:14-30. There are, as well, equally striking dissimilarities. Some have proposed that these are two variant accounts of the same original story, but the dissimilarities of the parables themselves and the circumstances under which they were given make this conclusion impossible for one who believes in the inspiration of the Bible writers (see on Matt. 25:14). For the similarity of the two parables see comment on the parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:14-30). The comment here in Luke deals, for the most part, with aspects of the parable of the Pounds that differ from those of the parable of the Talents.

Went into afar country. Possibly Jesus based this parable on one or more historical incidents with which His hearers were thoroughly familiar (see on ch. 15:4). The first incident suggested as a possibility is a journey made by Herod the Great to Rome in 40 B.C. to oppose the claims of Antigonus and to have himself appointed king of Judea. The Roman Senate dismissed Antigonus’ claims and confirmed Herod as king (Josephus Antiquities xiv. 14.1-5 [370-389]; Wari. 14.2-4 [279-285]). But an even closer parallel to the parable is found in the second incident often suggested as a historical basis for the parable. This is the journey to Rome made by Archelaus, son of Herod the Great, who went there to secure confirmation of his father’s bequest to him of the kingdom of Judea. His right to the royal title was denied by Augustus Caesar (Josephus Antiquities xvii. 8.1; 9.3; 11.4; Warn. 1.1 [1-3]; 6.1-3 [80-97]).

And to return. See on Matt. 20:14.