"....Slay Them Before Me"

An individual once asked, “Could someone please explain Luke 19:27 to me? I don’t believe I have ever heard this verse expounded upon at all.”

The text reads, “But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.”

The “enemies” Christ refers to in this verse are those mentioned in Luke 19:14. The “wicked servant” in Luke 19:22 represents those rebellious Jews who did not accept Christ ("the nobleman" – Luke 19:12; cf. Acts 13:44-51) as the long awaited Messiah (or king). As a result of their rebellious and hostile attitude toward Jesus, they must now experience the day of accounting and retribution when final judgment will be meted out to them, i.e. “slay them before me” (Luke 19:27).

As there was a day of accounting for these ten servants of the nobleman who “received the kingdom” (cf. Luke 19:12,15; Hebrews 12:28; 1 Corinthians 15:22-25), there will also be a day of accounting for Christians as well when we as stewards of the blessings and responsibilities God has given us will all give an account of how we used those blessings and fulfilled those responsibilities (Luke 19:15; Galations 6:5 cf. Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 22:12).

Beloved, let us not be found wanting when that day of accounting occurs (Matthew 25:31-46).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets