Matthew 25:14-30

KJV ¹⁴ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. ¹⁵ And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. ¹⁶ Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. ¹⁸ But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. ¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. ²⁰ And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. ²¹ His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. ²² He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. ²³ His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. ²⁴ Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. ²⁶ His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: ²⁷ Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. ²⁸ Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. ²⁹ For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. ³⁰ And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. CEV (Luke 19.
11-27) ¹⁴ The kingdom is also like what happened when a man went away and put his three servants in charge of all he owned. ¹⁵ The man knew what each servant could do. So he handed 5,000 coins to the first servant, 2,000 to the second, and 1,000 to the third. Then he left the country. ¹⁶ As soon as the man had gone, the servant with the 5,000 coins used them to earn 5,000 more. ¹⁷ The servant who had 2,000 coins did the same with his money and earned 2,000 more. ¹⁸ But the servant with 1,000 coins dug a hole and hid his master's money in the ground. ¹⁹ Some time later the master of those servants returned. He called them in and asked what they had done with his money. ²⁰ The servant who had been given 5,000 coins brought them in with the 5,000 that he had earned. He said, “Sir, you gave me 5,000 coins, and I have earned 5,000 more.” ²¹ “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!” ²² Next, the servant who had been given 2,000 coins came in and said, “Sir, you gave me 2,000 coins, and I have earned 2,000 more.” ²³ “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!” ²⁴ The servant who had been given 1,000 coins then came in and said, “Sir, I know that you are hard to work for. You harvest what you don't plant and gather crops where you haven't scattered seed. ²⁵ I was frightened and went out and hid your money in the ground. Here is every single coin!” ²⁶ The master of the servant told him, “You are lazy and good-for-nothing! You know I harvest what I don't plant and gather crops where I haven't scattered seed. ²⁷ You could have at least put my money in the bank, so I could have earned interest on it.” ²⁸ Then the master said, “Now your money will be taken away and given to the servant with 10,000 coins! ²⁹ Everyone who has something will be given more, and they will have more than enough. But everything will be taken from those who don't have anything. ³⁰ You are a worthless servant, and you will be thrown out into the dark where people will cry and grit their teeth in pain.”

Commentary

Verse 14

Matthew 25:14

KJV ¹⁴ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. CEV (Luke 19.
11-27) ¹⁴ The kingdom is also like what happened when a man went away and put his three servants in charge of all he owned.

The kingdom of heaven.

[The Talents, Matthew 25:14-30

KJV ¹⁴ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. ¹⁵ And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. ¹⁶ Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. ¹⁸ But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. ¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. ²⁰ And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. ²¹ His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. ²² He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. ²³ His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. ²⁴ Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. ²⁶ His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: ²⁷ Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. ²⁸ Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. ²⁹ For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. ³⁰ And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. CEV (Luke 19.
11-27) ¹⁴ The kingdom is also like what happened when a man went away and put his three servants in charge of all he owned. ¹⁵ The man knew what each servant could do. So he handed 5,000 coins to the first servant, 2,000 to the second, and 1,000 to the third. Then he left the country. ¹⁶ As soon as the man had gone, the servant with the 5,000 coins used them to earn 5,000 more. ¹⁷ The servant who had 2,000 coins did the same with his money and earned 2,000 more. ¹⁸ But the servant with 1,000 coins dug a hole and hid his master's money in the ground. ¹⁹ Some time later the master of those servants returned. He called them in and asked what they had done with his money. ²⁰ The servant who had been given 5,000 coins brought them in with the 5,000 that he had earned. He said, “Sir, you gave me 5,000 coins, and I have earned 5,000 more.” ²¹ “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!” ²² Next, the servant who had been given 2,000 coins came in and said, “Sir, you gave me 2,000 coins, and I have earned 2,000 more.” ²³ “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!” ²⁴ The servant who had been given 1,000 coins then came in and said, “Sir, I know that you are hard to work for. You harvest what you don't plant and gather crops where you haven't scattered seed. ²⁵ I was frightened and went out and hid your money in the ground. Here is every single coin!” ²⁶ The master of the servant told him, “You are lazy and good-for-nothing! You know I harvest what I don't plant and gather crops where I haven't scattered seed. ²⁷ You could have at least put my money in the bank, so I could have earned interest on it.” ²⁸ Then the master said, “Now your money will be taken away and given to the servant with 10,000 coins! ²⁹ Everyone who has something will be given more, and they will have more than enough. But everything will be taken from those who don't have anything. ³⁰ You are a worthless servant, and you will be thrown out into the dark where people will cry and grit their teeth in pain.”
. Cf. on Luke 19:11-28

KJV ¹¹ And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. ¹² He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. ¹³ And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. ¹⁴ But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. ¹⁵ And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. ¹⁶ Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. ¹⁷ And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. ¹⁸ And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. ¹⁹ And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. ²⁰ And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: ²¹ For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. ²² And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: ²³ Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? ²⁴ And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. ²⁵ (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) ²⁶ For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. ²⁷ But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. ²⁸ And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem. CEV (Matthew 25.
14-30) ¹¹ The crowd was still listening to Jesus as he was getting close to Jerusalem. Many of them thought that God's kingdom would soon appear, ¹² and Jesus told them this story: A prince once went to a foreign country to be crowned king and then to return. ¹³ But before leaving, he called in ten servants and gave each of them some money. He told them, “Use this to earn more money until I get back.” ¹⁴ But the people of his country hated him, and they sent messengers to the foreign country to say, “We don't want this man to be our king.” ¹⁵ After the prince had been made king, he returned and called in his servants. He asked them how much they had earned with the money they had been given. ¹⁶ The first servant came and said, “Sir, with the money you gave me I have earned ten times as much.” ¹⁷ “That's fine, my good servant!” the king said. “Since you have shown that you can be trusted with a small amount, you will be given ten cities to rule.” ¹⁸ The second one came and said, “Sir, with the money you gave me, I have earned five times as much.” ¹⁹ The king said, “You will be given five cities.” ²⁰ Another servant came and said, “Sir, here is your money. I kept it safe in a handkerchief. ²¹ You are a hard man, and I was afraid of you. You take what isn't yours, and you harvest crops you didn't plant.” ²² “You worthless servant!” the king told him. “You have condemned yourself by what you have just said. You knew I am a hard man, taking what isn't mine and harvesting what I've not planted. ²³ Why didn't you put my money in the bank? On my return, I could have had the money together with interest.” ²⁴ Then he said to some other servants standing there, “Take the money away from him and give it to the servant who earned ten times as much.” ²⁵ But they said, “Sir, he already has ten times as much!” ²⁶ The king replied, “Those who have something will be given more. But everything will be taken away from those who don't have anything. ²⁷ Now bring me the enemies who didn't want me to be their king. Kill them while I watch!” (Matthew 21.
1-11; Mark 11.
1-11; John 12.
12-19) ²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying all this, he went on toward Jerusalem.
. On parables see pp. 203-207.] The words, “the kingdom of heaven is,” have been supplied by the translators. For the circumstances under which this parable was told see on Matthew 24:1-3

KJV ¹ And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. ² And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. ³ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? CEV (Mark 13.
1,2; Luke 21.
5,6) ¹ After Jesus left the temple, his disciples came over and said, “Look at all these buildings!” ² Jesus replied, “Do you see these buildings? They will certainly be torn down! Not one stone will be left in place.” (Mark 13.
3-13; Luke 21.
7-19) ³ Later, as Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him in private and asked, “When will this happen? What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world?”
; Matthew 25:1

KJV ¹ Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. CEV ¹ The kingdom of heaven is like what happened one night when ten young women took their oil lamps and went to a wedding to meet the groom.
. For the truth it was given to illustrate see on Matthew 24:45-51

KJV ⁴⁵ Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. ⁴⁷ Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. ⁴⁸ But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; ⁴⁹ And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; ⁵⁰ The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, ⁵¹ And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. CEV (Luke 12.
35-48) ⁴⁵ Who are faithful and wise servants? Who are the ones the master will put in charge of giving the other servants their food supplies at the proper time? ⁴⁶ Servants are fortunate if their master comes and finds them doing their job. ⁴⁷ You may be sure a servant who is always faithful will be put in charge of everything the master owns. ⁴⁸ But suppose one of the servants thinks the master won't return until late. ⁴⁹ Suppose this evil servant starts beating the other servants and eats and drinks with people who are drunk. ⁵⁰ If that happens, the master will surely come on a day and at a time when the servant least expects him. ⁵¹ This servant will then be punished and thrown out with the ones who only pretended to serve their master. There they will cry and grit their teeth in pain.
.

Whereas the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13

KJV ¹ Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. ² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: ⁴ But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵ While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. ⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. ⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. ¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. ¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. ¹² But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. ¹³ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. CEV ¹ The kingdom of heaven is like what happened one night when ten young women took their oil lamps and went to a wedding to meet the groom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps, but no extra oil. ⁴ The ones who were wise took along extra oil for their lamps. ⁵ The groom was late arriving, and the young women became drowsy and fell asleep. ⁶ Then in the middle of the night someone shouted, “Here's the groom! Come to meet him!” ⁷ When the women got up and started getting their lamps ready, ⁸ the foolish ones said to the others, “Let us have some of your oil! Our lamps are going out.” ⁹ Those who were wise answered, “There's not enough oil for all of us! Go and buy some for yourselves.” ¹⁰ While the foolish ones were on their way to get some oil, the groom arrived. The five who were ready went into the wedding, and the doors were closed. ¹¹ Later the others returned and shouted, “Sir, sir! Open the door for us!” ¹² But the groom replied, “I don't even know you!” ¹³ So, my disciples, always be ready! You don't know the day or the time when all this will happen.
) places emphasis upon personal preparation for Christ’s promised return, that of the Talents stresses the responsibility of soulsaving labor for others. Thus, to “watch” (Matthew 24:42

KJV ⁴² Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. CEV ⁴² So be on your guard! You don't know when your Lord will come.
) includes both personal preparation and personal missionary labor.

In many respects this parable and that of the Pounds are similar, but there are also great dissimilarities.

A man travelling.

See on Luke 19:12

KJV ¹² He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. CEV ¹² and Jesus told them this story: A prince once went to a foreign country to be crowned king and then to return.
. Jesus thus refers to Himself.

A far country.

Jesus returned to heaven. The nobleman in the parable of the Pounds went “to receive for himself a kingdom” (see on Luke 19:12

KJV ¹² He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. CEV ¹² and Jesus told them this story: A prince once went to a foreign country to be crowned king and then to return.
).

His own servants.

Jesus thus designates His disciples, whom He has entrusted with the conduct of His affairs on earth (see on Matthew 28:19-20

KJV ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. CEV ¹⁹ Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
). We belong to God by virtue of His creative power and His redeeming grace. We ourselves and all that we have belong to Him.

Delivered unto them.

The master had two objectives:

(1) to increase his holdings, and (2) to test his servants in anticipation of entrusting them with greater responsibilities.

Similarly, Christ has committed the work of the gospel to men in order to advance the interests of His kingdom on earth and to train His servants for increased responsibilities. See on Matthew 25:21

KJV ²¹ His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. CEV ²¹ “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!”
; Luke 19:13

KJV ¹³ And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. CEV ¹³ But before leaving, he called in ten servants and gave each of them some money. He told them, “Use this to earn more money until I get back.”
.

Verse 15

Matthew 25:15

KJV ¹⁵ And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. CEV ¹⁵ The man knew what each servant could do. So he handed 5,000 coins to the first servant, 2,000 to the second, and 1,000 to the third. Then he left the country.

Talents.

The silver in a talent would weigh 687.5 oz. troy, or 21.38 kg. (see p. 49); and this, according to the laboring man’s daily wage, was more than 18 years’ pay. (See also on Luke 19:13

KJV ¹³ And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. CEV ¹³ But before leaving, he called in ten servants and gave each of them some money. He told them, “Use this to earn more money until I get back.”
.) The talents represent special gifts of the Spirit, together with all natural endowments.

To every man.

Each of us has a work to do for God. Though there are varying degrees of responsibility, none are altogether exempt from responsibility.

His several ability.

The amount entrusted to each servant was no more than, in the estimation of his master, he could handle wisely; at the same time it was sufficient to challenge his ingenuity and skill and thus provide him with an opportunity to gain experience. The master exercised discrimination in the amount entrusted to each servant, and then demanded faithfulness in the discharge of the responsibility involved in handling it.

Verse 16

Matthew 25:16

KJV ¹⁶ Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. CEV ¹⁶ As soon as the man had gone, the servant with the 5,000 coins used them to earn 5,000 more.

Went and traded.

Textual evidence is divided (cf. p. 146) as to whether the word “straightway” belongs with v. 15 – “straightway took his journey” – or with v. 16 – “he straightway went and traded.” According to the latter reading, the servant lost no time in setting about the task entrusted to him. He proved diligent.

Verse 18

Matthew 25:18

KJV ¹⁸ But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. CEV ¹⁸ But the servant with 1,000 coins dug a hole and hid his master's money in the ground.

Digged in the earth.

In ancient times this was generally considered the safest means of preserving treasure (cf. Matthew 13:44

KJV ⁴⁴ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. CEV ⁴⁴ The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when someone finds a treasure hidden in a field and buries it again. Such a person is happy and goes and sells everything in order to buy that field.
). Ancient coins in museums today have often come from such treasure hoards.

Verse 19

Matthew 25:19

KJV ¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. CEV ¹⁹ Some time later the master of those servants returned. He called them in and asked what they had done with his money.

Reckoneth.

See on Matthew 18:23

KJV ²³ Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. CEV ²³ This story will show you what the kingdom of heaven is like: One day a king decided to call in his officials and ask them to give an account of what they owed him.
.

Verse 20

Matthew 25:20

KJV ²⁰ And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. CEV ²⁰ The servant who had been given 5,000 coins brought them in with the 5,000 that he had earned. He said, “Sir, you gave me 5,000 coins, and I have earned 5,000 more.”

Other five.

See on Luke 19:16

KJV ¹⁶ Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. CEV ¹⁶ The first servant came and said, “Sir, with the money you gave me I have earned ten times as much.”
, where the profit was much greater.

Verse 21

Matthew 25:21

KJV ²¹ His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. CEV ²¹ “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!”

Well done.

The master’s approval was not proportionate to the amount of profit in each case, but rather to the faithfulness displayed (see on Matthew 20:8-16

KJV ⁸ So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. ⁹ And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. ¹⁰ But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. ¹¹ And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, ¹² Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. ¹³ But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? ¹⁴ Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. ¹⁵ Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? ¹⁶ So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. CEV ⁸ That evening the owner of the vineyard told the man in charge of the workers to call them in and give them their money. He also told the man to begin with the ones who were hired last. ⁹ When the workers arrived, the ones who had been hired at five in the afternoon were given a full day's pay. ¹⁰ The workers who had been hired first thought they would be given more than the others. But when they were given the same, ¹¹ they began complaining to the owner of the vineyard. ¹² They said, “The ones who were hired last worked for only one hour. But you paid them the same that you did us. And we worked in the hot sun all day long!” ¹³ The owner answered one of them, “Friend, I didn't cheat you. I paid you exactly what we agreed on. ¹⁴ Take your money now and go! What business is it of yours if I want to pay them the same that I paid you? ¹⁵ Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Why should you be jealous, if I want to be generous?” ¹⁶ Jesus then said, “So it is. Everyone who is now last will be first, and everyone who is first will be last.”
).

Make thee ruler.

The servant had manifested sound judgment and followed right principles in a little, and there was reason to believe he would do the same when much was entrusted to him. The reward for faithful service was to be an increased opportunity to serve. The use made of the lesser opportunity was the measure of ability to take advantage of greater opportunities. In part, a reward for faithful service comes in this life, but Jesus here refers primarily to the rewards of the world to come (COL 361 a ).

The joy of thy lord.

This constitutes the second, and no less real, part of the reward for faithful service.

Verse 24

Matthew 25:24

KJV ²⁴ Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: CEV ²⁴ The servant who had been given 1,000 coins then came in and said, “Sir, I know that you are hard to work for. You harvest what you don't plant and gather crops where you haven't scattered seed.

Lord, I knew thee.

See on Luke 19:21

KJV ²¹ For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. CEV ²¹ You are a hard man, and I was afraid of you. You take what isn't yours, and you harvest crops you didn't plant.”
. The servant candidly admits that his course of action was not due to ignorance or to lack of ability. It was deliberate.

Hard.

Gr. sklêros, “harsh,” “stem.” The negligent servant in the parable of the Pounds accused his master of being austêros, “austere,” “strict,” “unfriendly.” In both instances the charge was altogether unjust.

Not sown.

The negligent servant thought only of the material profit, and forgot the less tangible but no less real rewards that would accrue to him as a result of faithful service (see on v. 21). For further comment see on Luke 19:21

KJV ²¹ For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. CEV ²¹ You are a hard man, and I was afraid of you. You take what isn't yours, and you harvest crops you didn't plant.”
.

Strawed.

Gr. diaskorpizö, “to scatter.”

Verse 25

Matthew 25:25

KJV ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. CEV ²⁵ I was frightened and went out and hid your money in the ground. Here is every single coin!”

I was afraid.

The negligent servant had accepted the talent, and in so doing tacitly promised to do something with it. He feared that an unsuccessful business venture not only might earn no interest but could result in the loss of the capital invested in it. He surmised that any profit would go to his master, and any loss would be held against him personally. He was unwilling to accept the responsibility involved, and would do the same were larger opportunities offered him.

Hid thy talent.

See on Luke 19:20

KJV ²⁰ And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: CEV ²⁰ Another servant came and said, “Sir, here is your money. I kept it safe in a handkerchief.
.

Verse 26

Matthew 25:26

KJV ²⁶ His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: CEV ²⁶ The master of the servant told him, “You are lazy and good-for-nothing! You know I harvest what I don't plant and gather crops where I haven't scattered seed.

Wicked and slothful.

Many men with large capabilities accomplish little because they attempt little (see COL 331 b ).

Thou knewest

The negligent servant’s excuse proves to be his condemnation. His own lips have admitted his guilt.

Verse 27

Matthew 25:27

KJV ²⁷ Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. CEV ²⁷ You could have at least put my money in the bank, so I could have earned interest on it.”

Thou oughtest.

The servant’s knowledge imposed upon him a responsibility from which there was no escape. He could have done something about the situation had he chosen to. He was without excuse. He had the ability to double the one talent. God accepts a man according to what he can do, and never expects more of him than that (2 Corinthians 8:12

KJV ¹² For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. CEV ¹² It doesn't matter how much you have. What matters is how much you are willing to give from what you have.
). He requires no more of man – and no less – than his best.

The exchangers.

That is, the bankers of the day (see on Luke 19:23

KJV ²³ Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? CEV ²³ Why didn't you put my money in the bank? On my return, I could have had the money together with interest.”
). The servant might have invested the money, if he feared (see on Matthew 25:25

KJV ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. CEV ²⁵ I was frightened and went out and hid your money in the ground. Here is every single coin!”
) to become involved in a more complicated business deal. The amount of profit might have been less, but even that would have been better than nothing at all.

Usury.

“Interest” (see on Exodus 22:25

KJV ²⁵ If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. CEV ²⁵ Don't charge interest when you lend money to any of my people who are in need.
).

Verse 28

Take therefore.

The reward for faithful service was an opportunity to render greater service (see on Matthew 25:21

KJV ²¹ His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. CEV ²¹ “Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!”
). The penalty for failure to serve was the loss of further opportunity to serve. Opportunities neglected are soon lost. For further comment see on Luke 19:24

KJV ²⁴ And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. CEV ²⁴ Then he said to some other servants standing there, “Take the money away from him and give it to the servant who earned ten times as much.”
; cf. COL 364 c .

Give it.

The opportunities and tasks one man refuses are given to another who will take advantage of them and make the most of them. For the principle here involved see on Luke 19:24-25

KJV ²⁴ And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. ²⁵ (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) CEV ²⁴ Then he said to some other servants standing there, “Take the money away from him and give it to the servant who earned ten times as much.” ²⁵ But they said, “Sir, he already has ten times as much!”
.

Verse 29

Matthew 25:29

KJV ²⁹ For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. CEV ²⁹ Everyone who has something will be given more, and they will have more than enough. But everything will be taken from those who don't have anything.

That hath.

This great truth Jesus stated upon various occasions (cf on Matthew 13:12

KJV ¹² For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. CEV ¹² Everyone who has something will be given more. But people who don't have anything will lose even what little they have.
).

Taken away.

Talents are bestowed that they may be put to use, and if they are not
used, it is only natural that they be removed. Conversely, to make the most of limited opportunities often results in increasingly greater opportunities.

Verse 30

Matthew 25:30

KJV ³⁰ And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. CEV ³⁰ You are a worthless servant, and you will be thrown out into the dark where people will cry and grit their teeth in pain.”

Cast ye.

The “unprofitable servant” had been derelict in his duty, a fact he freely admitted. His failure was deliberate and premeditated, and he must bear the responsibility for that failure. In0 the great final day of judgment those who have drifted along, dodging opportunities and shirking responsibilities, will be classed by the great Judge with evildoers (COL 365 d ).

Unprofitable.

Or, “useless,” “worthless.”

Outer darkness.

See on Matthew 8:12

KJV ¹² But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. CEV ¹² But the ones who should have been in the kingdom will be thrown out into the dark. They will cry and grit their teeth in pain.”
; Matthew 22:13

KJV ¹³ Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. CEV ¹³ So the king gave orders for this person to be tied hand and foot and to be thrown outside into the dark. That's where people will cry and grit their teeth in pain.
.

Weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Compare Matthew 8:12

KJV ¹² But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. CEV ¹² But the ones who should have been in the kingdom will be thrown out into the dark. They will cry and grit their teeth in pain.”
; Matthew 22:13

KJV ¹³ Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. CEV ¹³ So the king gave orders for this person to be tied hand and foot and to be thrown outside into the dark. That's where people will cry and grit their teeth in pain.
; Matthew 24:51

KJV ⁵¹ And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. CEV ⁵¹ This servant will then be punished and thrown out with the ones who only pretended to serve their master. There they will cry and grit their teeth in pain.
. Jesus repeated this saying upon numerous occasions, as a graphic description of the remorse of the lost.

a But when the Master receives the talents, He approves and rewards the workers as though the merit were all their own. His countenance is full of joy and satisfaction. He is filled with delight that He can bestow blessings upon them. For every service and every sacrifice He requites them, not because it is a debt He owes, but because His heart is overflowing with love and tenderness.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” He says; “thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

It is the faithfulness, the loyalty to God, the loving service, that wins the divine approval. Every impulse of the Holy Spirit leading men to goodness and to God, is noted in the books of heaven, and in the day of God the workers through whom He has wrought will be commended.

They will enter into the joy of the Lord as they see in His kingdom those who have been redeemed through their instrumentality. And they are privileged to participate in His work there, because they have gained a fitness for it by participation in His work here. What we shall be in heaven is the reflection of what we are now in character and holy service. Christ said of Himself, “The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” Matthew 20:28

KJV ²⁸ Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. CEV ²⁸ The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people.
. This, His work on earth, is His work in heaven. And our reward for working with Christ in this world is the greater power and wider privilege of working with Him in the world to come.

b But Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble, all-round character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. God gives the talents, the powers of the mind; we form the character. It is formed by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies. We shall have to criticize ourselves closely, and allow not one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected.

Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to this decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you can not overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God.

Many whom God has qualified to do excellent work accomplish very little, because they attempt little. Thousands pass through life as if they had no definite object for which to live, no standard to reach. Such will obtain a reward proportionate to their works.

Remember that you will never reach a higher standard than you yourself set. Then set your mark high, and step by step, even though it be by painful effort, by self-denial and sacrifice, ascend the whole length of the ladder of progress. Let nothing hinder you. Fate has not woven its meshes about any human being so firmly that he need remain helpless and in uncertainty. Opposing circumstances should create a firm determination to overcome them. The breaking down of one barrier will give greater ability and courage to go forward. Press with determination in the right direction, and circumstances will be your helpers, not your hindrances.

c Upon the slothful servant the sentence was, “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.” Here, as in the reward of the faithful worker, is indicated not merely the reward at the final judgment but the gradual process of retribution in this life. As in the natural, so in the spiritual world: every power unused will weaken and decay. Activity is the law of life; idleness is death. “The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” 1 Corinthians 12:7

KJV ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. CEV ⁷ The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.
. Employed to bless others, his gifts increase. Shut up to self-serving they diminish, and are finally withdrawn. He who refuses to impart that which he has received will at last find that he has nothing to give. He is consenting to a process that surely dwarfs and finally destroys the faculties of the soul.

Let none suppose that they can live a life of selfishness, and then, having served their own interests, enter into the joy of their Lord. In the joy of unselfish love they could not participate. They would not be fitted for the heavenly courts. They could not appreciate the pure atmosphere of love that pervades heaven. The voices of the angels and the music of their harps would not satisfy them. To their minds the science of heaven would be as an enigma.

d In the great judgment day those who have not worked for Christ, those who have drifted along, carrying no responsibility, thinking of themselves, pleasing themselves, will be placed by the Judge of all the earth with those who did evil. They receive the same condemnation.

Many who profess to be Christians neglect the claims of God, and yet they do not feel that in this there is any wrong. They know that the blasphemer, the murderer, the adulterer, deserves punishment; but as for them, they enjoy the services of religion. They love to hear the gospel preached, and therefore they think themselves Christians. Though they have spent their lives in caring for themselves, they will be as much surprised as was the unfaithful servant in the parable to hear the sentence, “Take the talent from him.” Like the Jews, they mistake the enjoyment of their blessings for the use they should make of them.

Many who excuse themselves from Christian effort plead their inability for the work. But did God make them so incapable? No, never. This inability has been produced by their own inactivity and perpetuated by their deliberate choice. Already, in their own characters, they are realizing the result of the sentence, “Take the talent from him.” The continual misuse of their talents will effectually quench for them the Holy Spirit, which is the only light. The sentence, “Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness,” sets Heaven's seal to the choice which they themselves have made for eternity.