He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

People's New Testament

19:12 A certain nobleman went into a far country. While this parable is much like that of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30 Mr 13:34-36), it is a different one in many particulars; spoken elsewhere, for a different purpose.

To receive for himself a kingdom. As Christ would leave the earth and ascend to heaven before he would receive his kingdom.

Wesley's Notes

19:12 He went into a far country to receive a kingdom - Christ went to heaven, to receive his sovereign power as wan, even all authority in heaven and earth. Mt 25:14; Mr 13:34.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. a far country-said to put down the notion that He was just on His way to set up His kingdom, and to inaugurate it by His personal presence.

to receive . a kingdom-be invested with royalty; as when Herod went to Rome and was there made king; a striking expression of what our Lord went away for and received, "sitting down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

to return-at His second coming.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

19:11-27 This parable is like that of the talents, Mt 25. Those that are called to Christ, he furnishes with gifts needful for their business; and from those to whom he gives power, he expects service. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal, 1Co 12:7. And as every one has received the gift, so let him minister the same, 1Pe 4:10. The account required, resembles that in the parable of the talents; and the punishment of the avowed enemies of Christ, as well as of false professors, is shown. The principal difference is, that the pound given to each seems to point out the gift of the gospel, which is the same to all who hear it; but the talents, distributed more or less, seem to mean that God gives different capacities and advantages to men, by which this one gift of the gospel may be differently improved.