Verse 17
17. Ten cities Let us beware here how we transform the parable into the literal, and fancy that real crowns and kingdoms and cities are to be the rewards of the righteous. All these images are but the emblems of highest earthly prosperity, to indicate the bliss of which earth has no real specimen or example. If all in heaven are kings, who are the subjects? This entire style of language refers to the ancient custom, still existing in the East, of rewarding favourites with the government and revenue of provinces and cities. Cyrus the Great bestowed upon Pytharchotus the Cyzican, his favourite, seven cities. Artaxerxes gave to Themistocles as some say two, or as others say, five. Parysatis, queen of Persia, had two or three cities, whose revenues paid the expenses of her wardrobe. With what munificence then should the King of heaven and earth reward the objects of his favour?
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