33 Grk “a man of noble birth” or “a man of noble status” (L&N 87.27).
34 Note that the receiving of the kingdom takes place in the far country. This suggests that those in the far country recognize and acknowledge the king when his own citizens did not want him as king (v. 14; cf. John 1:11–12).
35 The background to this story about the nobleman who went … to receive for himself a kingdom had some parallels in the area’s recent history: Archelaus was appointed ethnarch of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea in 4 b.c., but the people did not like him. Herod the Great also made a similar journey to Rome where he was crowned King of Judea in 40 b.c., although he was not able to claim his kingdom until 37 b.c.

In other versions

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

He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.

Therefore he said, “A nobleman traveled to a far country to receive for himself authority to be king and then to return.

He said, “A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return.

Therefore he said, “A certain nobleman traveled to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.

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

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