19:12 The parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14–29) resembles this one, but there the amounts are larger and vary in size, testing the servants for their fitness for larger tasks. Here the amounts are small and the same for all (v. 13). The parable teaches that everyone has one basic task—to serve God faithfully.

a far country. Herod’s sons were examples of noblemen who went to Rome hoping to be made king.