What Does Luke 19:16 Mean in the King James?

Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

Luke 19:16 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The Greek word for “hath gained” grows from the word for work: the entrusted mina becomes fruitful when it is put to work.

THE MEANING

What is placed in your hands can yield more than its starting measure when it is put to work. The servant still calls the mina the lord’s, even as he names its increase.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that a small thing entrusted to you is too small to yield anything substantial.

THE ROOT

προσηργάσατο

prosērgasato

GROWS FROM

ἐργ-

erg-

work, exertion

The verb ⁨προσηργάσατο⁩ (prosērgasato, “hath gained”) is built on ⁨ἐργάζομαι⁩ (ergazomai, “to work”). The increase is pictured as the result of the entrusted value being worked with, not as something detached from it.

ALSO GROWS

ergon: work, deed

ἔργον

This noun names the work that forms the base of the verb translated “hath gained.”

ergatēs: worker, laborer

ἐργάτης

This branch names one who works, bringing the agent behind the increase into view.

synergeō: work together, cooperate

συνεργέω

It shares the same work-root and shows how that activity can happen in cooperation.

THE PATTERN

What is entrusted bears fruit when it is put to work, while its source remains acknowledged.

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

Matthew 25:16 · KJVThe Greek verb translated “traded” comes from the same work-root, tying increase to what is done with what has been entrusted.

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Proverbs 14:23 · KJVThe proverb likewise connects profit with labor, setting active work against words that produce nothing.

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

2 Corinthians 9:10 · KJVSeed supplied and sown multiplies into fruit, another picture of what is entrusted becoming more through use.

THE THREAD

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

Matthew 25:16 · KJV

Luke’s ⁨προσηργάσατο⁩ (prosērgasato, “hath gained”) and Matthew’s ⁨ἠργάσατο⁩ (ērgasato, “traded”) share the Greek work-root ⁨ἐργ-⁩ (erg-, “work”). Matthew makes the hidden link especially visible: what the servant does with what he receives is described through the language of work.

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