Luke 19:12 A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
A man, a someone, well-born, was made to go into an estate far away to get for himself a realm and to return.
Though this verse looks like Matthew 25:14 and Mark 13:34, which describe a man going to a "far country," all three get "far country" from different words. In Matthew and Mark, the words are a noun and a verb from the same root, but here the words are completely different.
The word translated as "a certain" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but can be used to mean someone of note as we would say "a someone."
"Noble-" is an adjective that means "noble," "well-born," "well-bred," "noble-minded," and as an adverb, "noblely."
The Greek word for "-man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
The Greek verb translated as "went" is the most common verb translated as "go" in the NT. This word means "to lead over," "depart," and "to carry over." This word, however, uniquely means both "to pursue a course" and "to depart from life." Since it is in a form that acts on itself, the sense is "take yourselves."
The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
The Greek word translated as "far" means "long," "tall," "high," "deep," "tedious," etc. It is in the form of an adjective.
The word translated as "country" is uncommon. The word means "a special place," "a spot" and "a landed estate." This word is not used in Mark or Matthew, but it is used in John and Luke 15:13 where it is translated as "country."
The word translated as "to receive" primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing." It is an infinitive, "to get."
"For himself" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," and so on. The "for" is from the form that makes it an indirect object.
The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. In this case, the sense is a "realm" or "domain."
The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
"To return" is the common word used for "return. It also means "to turn about" but has it has a clearer sense of "turn back." This word is uncommon and it is one that only Luke uses.
Ἄνθρωπός ( noun sg masc nom ) "-man" is anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.
τις ( pron sg masc nom ) "Certain" is tis which can mean "someone," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what."
εὐγενὴς [unique](adj sg masc nom) "Noble-" is from eugenēs, which means "noble," "well-born," "well-bred," "noble-minded," and as an adverb, "noblely."
ἐπορεύθη ( verb 3rd sg aor ind pass ) "Went" is poreuomai (poreuô) which means "make to go," "carry," "convey," "bring," "go," "march," and "proceed." It is almost always translated as "go" in the NT.
εἰς (prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
χώραν [uncommon](noun sg fem acc) "Country" is from chora, which means "space," "the spot in a room where a thing is," "place," "spot," "the position," "the proper place for a thing or person," "land," and "landed estate." It is a metaphor for "station," "place" or "position," in society.
μακρὰν [uncommon]( adj sg fem acc) "Far" is from makros, which means in length, "long," in height, "tall," "high," "deep," in distance, "long," "far," "remote," generally, "large in size or degree," "great," of Time, "long," and "tedious." As a noun, it means "length." As an adverb, "lengthy."
λαβεῖν ( verb aor inf act ) "To receive" is lambano means to "take," "take hold of," "grasp," "seize," "catch," "overtake," "find out," "detect," "take as," "take [food or drugs]," "understand," "take in hand," "undertake," "take in," "hold," "get," "receive [things]," "receive hospitably," "receive in marriage," "receive as produce," "profit," "admit," "initiate," "take hold of," "lay hold on," "seize and keep hold of," "obtain possession of," "lay hands upon," "find fault with," "censure," "to apprehend with the senses," "to take hold of," and "to seize." It is also specifically used to mean "seized with emotion."
ἑαυτῷ ( adj sg masc dat ) "For himself" is heautou, is a reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," "itself" "themselves," and "ourselves." It is an alternative to autos.
βασιλείαν (noun sg fem acc) "The kingdom" is basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."
καὶ (conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ὑποστρέψαι. [uncommon](verb aor inf act) "To return" is hypostrepho, which means "turn round or back," "roll up," "return," "turn away," and "elude."