Luke 19

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem

Imagine finding out that Jesus was coming to your city, school, or home. How would you feel? What might you do to welcome Him? What would you change in order to be ready to receive Him? Imagine what Jesus might say about what He observed there. What would He ask you to do differently? What would He be pleased with? What would disappoint Him?

As you read Luke 19, which tells of Jesus passing through Jericho and entering Jerusalem, consider how differently people responded to His coming. Also consider how Jesus’ actions showed how He felt about the people in those cities.

Other Accounts of What You Read in Luke 19

Luke 19:29–48—Matthew 21:1–16; Mark 11:1–18

Understanding the Scriptures

Luke 19

Little of stature (v. 3)Short

Make haste (vv. 5–6)Hurry

By false accusation (v. 8)By cheating them

Pounds (v. 13)One talent was one hundred pounds; a measurement of money

Kept laid up (v. 20)Saved

Usury (v. 23)Interest, or earnings from an investment

Luke 19:12–27—An Interpretation of This Parable

Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained:

“Christ is the nobleman; the far off country is heaven; the kingdom there to be given him is ‘all power … in heaven and in earth’ (Matt. 28:18); and his promised return is the glorious Second Coming, when the literal and visible kingdom shall be set up on earth. The ten servants are the members of the Church to whom he has given physical, mental, and spiritual capacities (pounds) to be used in his service. Those designated as ‘citizens’ are the other people in the world, those who are subject to him because he is the God of the whole earth, but who have not accepted his gospel and come into his fold as servants. The servants are commanded to labor in the vineyard on their Lord’s errand until he returns. …

“When the nobleman returns to judge the world, he will reward his servants in accordance with their works. All shall not receive the same status in the mansions which are prepared; there are degrees of glory. Some will rule ten cities, others five, and those who were slothful shall be disinherited entirely.

“Unused faculties are lost; rightly used abilities can be increased until perfection is attained. ‘Unto every servant who is diligent shall be given great reward; and from him who is slothful shall be taken away even the light, abilities, and faculties which he had’” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:572–73).

Studying the Scriptures

Do either activity A or B as you study Luke 19.

1. Journal Entries

   As you read Luke 19 you will see that several people came into contact with Jesus while he traveled toward Jerusalem and entered triumphantly. (Remember that Jesus’ triumphal entry began the last week of His life). Imagine being each of the following people. Imagine what their experience with Jesus may have been like from the clues you find in the scriptures, and think about how they may have perceived the Savior. Write a day’s journal entry for each of these people (as if you were them) concerning their experiences with Jesus during this time.

   1. Zacchaeus

   2. A member of the crowd in Jerusalem who watched Jesus ride in on a colt.

   3. A person who was in the temple when Jesus cleansed it.

2. Write a Modern Version

   The parable in Luke 19:11–27 uses the word pound to refer to a unit of money. The money symbolizes the skills and abilities we are given and expected to develop during this life. Read this parable and then write a modern version of this parable that teaches the same lesson. For example, instead of using a nobleman you might use an employer or a parent.