Luke 19:21

Luk_19:21. As to this apology and its rejection, Luk_19:22 f., see on Mat_25:24 ff.

αἴρεις κ.τ.λ.] a closer reference to the meaning of ἄνθρ. αὐστηρὸς εἶ, comp. Luk_19:22, hence no longer dependent on ὅτι, thou takest up what thou hast not laid down. This is to be left in the generality of its proverbial form as an expression of the unsparingness of the property of others, which, however, is here conceived of not as dishonest, but in stringent vindication of legitimate claims. The servant pretends that he was afraid for the possible case of the loss of the mina; that the rigorous lord would indemnify himself for it from his property. De Wette and Bleek are wrong in reading: thou claimest back what thou hast not entrusted,opposed to which is the literal meaning of αἴρεις and its correlation with ἔθηκας. Moreover, Luk_19:23 is not in harmony therewith. Comp. rather the injunction in Josephus, c. Revelation 2 : ὃ μὴ κατέθηκέ τις, οὐκ ἀναιρήσεται, and the law of Solon in Diog. Laert. i. 2. 9 : ἃ μὴ ἔθου, μὴ ἀνέλῃ. The austere character (αὐστηρός) consists in the regardlessness of the inhumanity, in respect of which is experienced the summum jus, summa injuria. The epithet σκληρός in Matthew denotes the same thing, but under a different figurative representation (in opposition to Tittmann, Synon. p. 139).

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Luk 19:21 . αὐστηρὸς (here only in N.T.), harsh in flavour, then in disposition. αἴρεις , etc., you lift what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow; accusing the master of an exorbitant demand for profit. He despaired of pleasing him in that respect, therefore did nothing a pretext of course.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

(21) I feared thee, because thou art an austere man.—The Greek adjective (from which the English is derived) is not used elsewhere in the New Testament. Literally, it means dry, and so, hard and stiff. In 2Ma_14:30 it is translated “churlish.” On the plea of the wicked servant, see Note on Mat_25:22.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

21. I feared thee] A sure sign that he did not love him, 1Jn_4:18.

takest up that thou layedst not down] A typical description of injustice forbidden alike by Jewish and Greek laws (Jos. c. Ap. 11. 130).

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And he saith unto him,.... By way of reply to his vile slander, and unrighteous charge;

out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant; as he might be justly called: he was not only a wicked man, as all men are, even enemies by wicked works, and lie in wickedness; and a wicked professor of religion, as there be some; but a wicked minister, and that not on account of his bad principles, and sinful life and conversation, but for his sloth and negligence, and the wrong thoughts he entertained of, and the false charges he brought against Christ; and Christ turns his own argument upon him, and by his own words condemns him:

thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow; not allowing this, but supposing it was as he said; then Christ argues as follows, for his conviction.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

Ver. 21. See Mat 25:21-22, &c.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

An austere man - Hard, severe, oppressive. The word is commonly applied to unripe fruit, and means “sour,” unpleasant; harsh. In this case it means that the man was taking every advantage, and, while “he” lived in idleness, was making his living out of the toils of others.

Thou takest up ... - Thou dost exact of others what thou didst not give. The phrase is applied to a man who “finds” what has been lost by another, and keeps it himself, and refuses to return it to the owner. All this is designed to show the sinner’s view of God. He regards him as unjust, demanding more than man has “power” to render, and more, therefore, than God has a “right” to demand. See the notes at Mat 25:24.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

21. ἐφοβούμην … σε. A sure sign that he did not love him, 1Jn 4:18.

αἴρεις ὃ οὐκ ἔθηκας. A typical description of injustice forbidden alike by Jewish and Greek laws (Jos. c. Ap. II. 130). One of Solon’s laws was ἃ μὴ ἔθου μὴ ἀνέλῃ.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

21. αὐστηρός. Here only in N.T. comp. 2 Mac. 14:30, and see Trench, Syn. xiv. The word originally means “rough to the taste, stringent.” It is in this servant’s plea and in the reply to it that the resemblance between the two parables of the Pounds and of the Talents is closest.

αἴρεις ὅ οὐκ ἔθηκας. Perhaps a current proverbial expression for a grasping person. We need not decide whether he means, “If I had gained anything, you would have taken it,” or, “If I had lost it, you would have held me responsible.” The general sense is “You are a strict man; and I have taken care that you should get back the exact deposit, neither more nor less.”

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Austere [αυστηρος] . From auw, to dry. Dry, and thence hard. See on hard, Mt 25:24.

Sow [εσπειρας] . See on strawed, Mt 25:24.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.