Ambassage
The Word 'Ambassage'
Ambassage is an older English term that translates the Greek word presbeia, meaning an embassy, delegation, or the message entrusted to ambassadors. The word appears in the King James Version in two passages, both from the Gospel of Luke, and both in the teachings of Jesus. Modern translations typically use "delegation" or "envoys" instead.
The Parable of the Ten Minas
In Luke 19:11-27, Jesus tells the parable of a nobleman who goes to a distant country to receive a kingdom and then return. While he is away, his citizens hate him and send an "ambassage" (delegation) after him, saying, "We do not want this man to reign over us" (Luke 19:14). Upon his return, the nobleman deals with both his servants (rewarding the faithful and punishing the lazy) and the rebellious citizens who rejected his authority.
This parable illustrates the rejection of Jesus' spiritual sovereignty by those who refuse to submit to His kingship. The ambassage of refusal represents all who deliberately oppose God's appointed ruler. The historical backdrop may reflect the journey of Archelaus, Herod's son, who traveled to Rome to receive his kingdom while a Jewish delegation followed to oppose his appointment, an event Jesus' audience would have recognized.
Counting the Cost of Discipleship
The second use of ambassage appears in Luke 14:31-32, where Jesus asks: "What king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends an ambassage and asks for terms of peace."
This illustration is part of Jesus' teaching on counting the cost of discipleship (Luke 14:25-35). The point is not that disciples should negotiate surrender to their enemies, but rather that following Jesus requires sober assessment of what it will cost. Just as a weak king must realistically evaluate his position, so a would-be disciple must understand the total commitment required.
The Role of Ambassadors in the Ancient World
In the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world, ambassadors and embassies played crucial diplomatic roles. Kings sent delegations to negotiate treaties, arrange marriages, deliver ultimatums, or seek peace. The practice is reflected throughout the Old Testament, from the Gibeonites' deceptive embassy to Joshua (Joshua 9:3-6) to Hezekiah's negotiations with Assyria (2 Kings 18:17-18). Paul himself described the apostolic role as being "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Theological Themes
Both uses of ambassage in Jesus' teaching carry weighty theological implications. The rebellious ambassage of Luke 19 warns against rejecting Christ's kingship, foreshadowing the ultimate accountability all people will face. The prudent ambassage of Luke 14 calls for honest self-assessment before God. Together, these passages present two sides of the same truth: either submit willingly to Christ's rule or face the consequences of opposition.
A Word That Has Faded
While "ambassage" has largely disappeared from modern English, the concept it describes remains vivid. Whether in political negotiations or spiritual decisions, the act of sending a delegation to seek terms captures the moment when one party recognizes it must come to terms with a greater power. For Jesus, this greater power is the kingdom of God, and every person must decide how they will respond to its claims.
Biblical Context
Ambassage appears in Luke 19:14 (the parable of the Ten Minas) and Luke 14:32 (counting the cost of discipleship). Both are exclusively used by Jesus in His teaching. The word does not appear elsewhere in the Bible. The contexts involve themes of sovereignty, submission, and the cost of following Christ.
Theological Significance
The two uses of ambassage present complementary truths about the kingdom of God. In Luke 19, rejecting Christ's kingship through a defiant ambassage leads to judgment. In Luke 14, sending an ambassage of surrender represents the wisdom of submitting to a power greater than oneself. Together they teach that responding to Christ requires both honest self-assessment and willing submission to His authority.
Historical Background
Diplomatic embassies were a standard feature of international relations in the ancient world. The historical backdrop for the Luke 19 parable may be Archelaus's journey to Rome in 4 BC to receive authority over Judea, when a Jewish delegation of fifty men followed to protest his appointment before Caesar Augustus. This event was recorded by Josephus and would have been well known to Jesus' Palestinian audience.