“This nobleman
Received royal power.
When he returned,
He ordered those slaves,
To whom
He had given the money,
To be summoned.
Thus,
He might find out
What they had gained
By trading.”
καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἐπανελθεῖν αὐτὸν λαβόντα τὴν βασιλείαν καὶ εἶπεν φωνηθῆναι αὐτῷ τοὺς δούλους τούτους οἷς δεδώκει τὸ ἀργύριον, ἵνα γνοῖ τίς τί διεπραγματεύσατο.
Luke indicated that Jesus said that this nobleman did receive his royal power (καὶ ἐγένετο…αὐτὸν λαβόντα τὴν βασιλείαν) and then he returned home (ἐν τῷ ἐπανελθεῖν). Once again, only Luke used this term ἐπανελθεῖν that means to return or come back again. This nobleman ordered those 10 slaves, to whom he had given the money, to be summoned to him (καὶ εἶπεν φωνηθῆναι αὐτῷ τοὺς δούλους τούτους οἷς δεδώκει τὸ ἀργύριον). He wanted to find out what they had gained by trading (ἵνα γνοῖ τίς τί διεπραγματεύσατο). Sure enough, this is the only use of the word διεπραγματεύσατο, in all the Greek biblical literature that means to examine thoroughly, to gain by trading, or doing business. There is an equivalent in Matthew, chapter 25:19, perhaps indicating a Q source. Jesus said that after a long time (μετὰ δὲ πολὺν χρόνον), the master or lord of these slaves came back (ἔρχεται ὁ κύριος τῶν δούλων ἐκείνων). He then wanted to settle his accounts with his slaves (καὶ συναίρει λόγον μετ’ αὐτῶν). Luke had the more colorful language to explain the returning rich man who wanted to see how his slaves had done in their business dealings. Have you ever traded stocks or other assets to make money?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 