Of Taxes, Minas, and Bruttal New Kings

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting November 10 to study Luke 19:1-27.  The odds are very long that we will actually get to verse 27.  Even if we get through the familiar account of Zacchaeus, I doubt the parable will be able to go through in one week.  It's just too weird.

Read through the passages in several translations.  It would be good to read the parable in Matthew 25:14-30.  This is the one with which we're most familiar.  Jot down notes and questions; there will probably be lots of questions.

Go through a commentary or two.  You will probably want more than one opinion here.  There may be some disagreement about details in Luke. 

After you go through your own and commentary study, go back through with the questions below:

• Jesus is passing through Jericho, so it doesn't seem He intends to stay.  Why do you think Luke would include this detail considering who is waiting to see Jesus?
• Luke includes two details about Zacchaeus, he's the chief tax collector and he's rich.  What might that tell you about how Zacchaeus conducts his "collecting"?
•  Zach can't see Jesus because he's short.  What do you think about this detail in the story and how Zach finds a solution?
• Jesus sees Zach, and acts like He's come on appointment to stay with him.  What do you think is going on here?  Could it have been an appointment?
• Jesus says it is necessary for Him to stay at Zach's house.  Why is that?
• The people grumble, so what do they obviously think of Zach?
• If Zach is being honest with Jesus about what he is doing to do, what does that tell you about how Zach actually collects taxes?
• Jesus claims to have recovered a son of Abraham.  What do you think that means culturally for Zach and everyone who witnessed this interaction?
• Jesus claims to have come to seek and save what was lost.  Look back to Luke 15.  If this relates that chapter, then what has Zach done here?
• In verse 11, Jesus transitions to a parable.  What do you think of the differences between this account and Matthew 25:14-30?
• Luke adds detail about a king leaving to receive a kingdom.  This actually happened with Herod and then with Archelaus, his son.  The Roman Emperor gave them their kingdoms.  But the detail about killing those who opposed him didn't happen.  Considering that most of those hearing Jesus would probably have been familiar with this historical fact, what do you think they thought of the parable?  Especially the ending?
• The reason behind the parable is that the people are expecting the Kingdom to appear.  Why do you think Luke uses that word, normally he uses "come"?
• In this passage, minas aren't birds.  Look up how much it is here.  Why give a "slave" so much money?  What do you think Jesus is referring to here, and who receives it?
• Look up the word for "do business" is here.  Listen to the pronunciation.  What English word do you hear sort of in the midst of this one?
• Who do you think the people who send a delegation to renounce the king might refer to?
• What do you think the 1-slave means by his description of his master?
• The master doesn't disagree with the slave.  If the master is "God", then what do you think this tells us about God?
• Why would those hearing question giving the mina to the one with 10?  Doesn't that sound like a good investment?
• Jesus explains that those having will be given, and those not having, even what they have will be taken away.  So what do you think that means?  Having what?
• So who do you think the "enemies" slain before the king refer to?
• Again, if the "king" is God, then what does this "slay them in my presence" tell us about God?

That should take way more time than we have Thursday.  I consider the chances excellent that we could take 3 weeks on these passages.  As we do, remember to consider yourselves in the accounts.  What is God revealing to you about your own relationship with Him?