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matthew 25:14-30

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Matthew 25:14-30

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”

— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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.

Matthew 25:14-30 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 25:14

Theological / Devotional

The kingdom of heaven. [The Talents, Matt. 25:14-30. Cf. on Luke 19:11-28. 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 chs. 24:1-3; 25:1. For the truth it was given to illustrate see on eh. 24:45-51.

Whereas the parable of the Ten Virgins (eh. 25:1-13) places emphasis upon personal preparation for Christ’s promised return, that of the Talents stresses the responsibility of soul-saving labor for others. Thus, to “watch” (eh. 24:42) 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. 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).

His own servants. Jesus thus designates His disciples, whom He has entrusted with the conduct of His affairs on earth (see on eh. 28:19, 20). 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 Matt. 25:21; Luke 19:13.

By SdaBc

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