parable of the talents verse

Verse 15. First, the master stayed away for a long time (Matthew 25:19). Matthew 25:22 - The Parable of the Talents - Bible Hub There is a great reward waiting for those who steward well with what the Lord has given them. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and Matthew 25:14. What Is a Talent Weight? Bible Units and Measurements - Learn Religions third servant does not make a profit for his master. The third slave is an entirely different matter. We need to pursue the element of work a bit further. This servant came to his master with only the talent his master had originally entrusted to him. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Gospels: Matthew 25:16 Immediately he who received the five talents (Matt. In short, the talents represent what God has given usour monetary resources, our callings to positions within the church (Ephesians 4:11-16), our natural giftings. 273 William Hendriksen, in his commentary on Matthew, finds enthusiasm and joy in the accounting the first two servants gave to their master. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. One must surely conclude that this parable is not just an interesting story, but a message of eternal significance. 27 Now my soul is greatly distressed. 33 But a married man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please his wife, 34 and he is divided. He let taxpayers and prostitutes into the kingdom of heaven first (Matthew 21:31). Mat Mt). These things are good and beneficial for all people (Titus 3:4-8). That is why they are crying, Let us go sacrifice to our God. 9 Let the work be harder for the men so they will keep at it and pay no attention to lying words! (Exodus 5:1-9). Traditionally, the parable of the talents has been seen as an exhortation to Jesus' disciples to use their God-given gifts in the service of God, and to take risks for the sake of the Kingdom of God. ), [Rom. Retirement is like the second stage of a rocket booster. One man may design a church building, a cathedral. - Unto one he gave five talents. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Thus, time seems to be a more important factor in verses 14-31 than in 1-13. To gain, acquire, win (over), avoid loss. He made his way up to the bars, and then proceeded to harass this awesome beast. Sharon Jaynes, Make the Most of Your Talents It is a usual way of expressing the miseries of the damned in hell. 3 And there will no longer be any curse, and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city. Is retirement a denial, in effect, of the curse? What can we learn from the parable of the persistent widow and unjust judge? 26But his lord answered and said to him, You (J)wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. an ounce) was nearly equivalent to 400 of our money. These verses are the opening to what is known as the parable of the talents. Those who know not the day of their visitation shall have the things that belong to their peace hid from their eyes. And so it is that those who over time work with what they are entrusted, in order to make a profit for their master, are rewarded for their faithfulness. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Ten Minas? third servant hides what was entrusted to him. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Parable of the Talents. 18But he who had received the one talent went and (G)dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 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. In a similar way, in the parable of the soils (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23) the mere germination of the seed does not seem to represent salvation. Most of us find it hard to un-crack, especially given the third servant gets punished for doing nothing. This may be applied to the blessings of this life; but rather to the means of grace. He then gives several messages and illustrations: - The wise and faithful servant (Matthew 24:45-51), - The parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). 12:7, 11, 29; Eph. average monthly wage for Americans in 2021. Parable of the talents or minas - Wikipedia And if our labors are joyful, we will delight in the thought of further labor. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Ten Virgins? My thinking on retirement in this lesson started with the observation that heaven is not the end of work, but the multiplication and continuation of work: 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. ), [Rom. Renny and Marina McLean, The Lord Teaches Us to Profit The words are in their substance like those in St. Matthew, but their absolute identity with those in the lesson drawn from the parable of the Unjust Steward (see Note on Luke 16:10) is every way suggestive.This parable is connected with that as its natural sequel and development. Luke, we are told that the reason for the parable was to correct the misconception that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately; no such reason is stated in Matthew. 278 Actually, the good slave is both morally good and useful, but his usefulness is emphasized most in the context. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21). 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, # 25:15 Greek five talents two talents one talent; also throughout this parable; a talent was worth about 20 years of a day laborer's wage. 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. We naturally want to believe we can use our gifts as we please. 9 The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow from the soil, every tree that was pleasing to look at and good for food. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. When the master returned, the first two eagerly met their master, apparently delighted in the opportunity to multiply their masters money.273 Both were commended as good and faithful servants; both were rewarded with increased responsibilities in their masters service; both were invited to share in their masters joy. He provides the money and the ability, but we are expected to work hard with what He has given us, for the profit of the kingdom. It is not the money that goes to work, as such, but the worker. Retirement is that period in life when one no longer has the distraction of having to work for a livelihood. Retirement is thought of more in terms of the golf course than finishing our course in the Pauline sense (2 Timothy 4:7). NKJV, Ancient-Modern Bible, Comfort Print: One faith. 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. Jumble. The Gospels make it clear many times that Jesus was the king of the Jews, but came in a way they did not expect, preaching a message many didnt want to hear. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. third servant claims that he was afraid of his master. Bible Stories Explained: The Parable of the Talents (King James Version) See, I have gained five more. 21 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful slave! But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lords money. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Dragnet? Whether you read the Matthew version or the Luke version, each servant is getting a substantial chunk of cash to invest as they will. Pharaoh was a harsh master. He demanded that the Israelites make bricks, but he refused to supply them with the necessary materials. God entrusted Israel, and especially its leaders, with the truth, and they did not use it properly. The master rebuked this slave for being evil and lazy. English Standard Version The Parable of the Talents 14 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[ a] and entrusted to them his property. The element of money. It may be that you are not like the first two slaves, but like the third. I wonder how many have given serious thought to what might be called the theology of retirement. I would like to challenge every Christian to rethink the subject of retirement. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Heavens work will be joyful labor. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. A man who is preparing to leave on a journey entrusts his possessions to his servants. He then tells the servants to put this money to work (Luke 19:13), invest it to make more money for him, and he would see their results when hes back. Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. It would probably be unwise to study the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 without also considering a similar parable in Luke 19:11-27: 11 While the people were listening to these things, Jesus proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. And to 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. It was completed by more than twenty biblical scholars who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. Let me call your attention to the most important elements of the parable, as I now understand it. 15To one he gave five (D)talents,[b] to another two, to another one, (E)to each according to his ability. The Parable of the Talents The Chara Project You have been faithful in a few things. 270 I hate to have to disagree with the NET Bible translation here, but it seems to me that this translation does not adequately emphasize the force of our Lords carefully chosen words, especially in context. 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. In other words, the third slave looks upon his master as wicked, harsh, and impossible. The element of profit. A parable is a type of story Jesus would tell so we would learn something from it. Then he gives the one talent to the first servant, for to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away (Luke 19:26). 15 To one he gave five talents,[ b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Here, as in what was said to the faithful servants, our Saviour goes out of the parable into the thing intended by it, and this serves as a key to the whole. He told his master that he was a harsh and cruel man, a man who was demanding, and who expected gain where he had not labored. It is also found in Jude 1:15 to describe the harsh words the unbelieving have said against God. I do not know the Lord, and I will not release Israel. 3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews has met with us. There is also a message to all mankind. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unforgiving / Unmerciful Servant? At this point we would probably do well to look at work from a broader perspective; we should consider work from the beginning of time to eternity future. Since help was available to him in the Church, the man had no excuse. And so he simply hid the money, and now he returned it, without any gain. You have been faithful with a few things. Too often we think of our Lords words in Matthew 6 in terms of the offering plate. Yes, there are official positions for certain church tasks (preaching, evangelizing, teaching, etc.) What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? Start FREE. 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. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. But the master did provide the means for his slave to make a profit. Dont blame it on God. Since a talent was actually a measurement of weight, it did not have a constant value. They complain that He requires of them more than they are capable of, and punishes them for what they cannot help. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every. What distinguished him from the first two slaves? Look, But his lord answered and said to him, You. His doom is, to be cast into outer darkness. Heaven is not a hammock; it is not a glorified vacation. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Other, another (of more than two), different. 14(B)For the kingdom of heaven is (C)like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 12 Therefore he said, A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. He has richly provided all that you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:1-4). Noelle Kirchner, The Generosity Of God Heaven can hardly be described in terms of retirement. He doubled the money his master entrusted to him. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. The word hard, which this slave used to characterize his master, is far from flattering. 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. He demanded that they make something out of nothing, so to speak. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one. 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. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow. 22 The king said to him, I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! Both minas and talents were units of currency in the ancient Roman world. However, as planned, he becomes king of the distant land and returns home to see how his servants have done. 19 For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God. 3 Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up (Hebrews 12:1-3, emphasis mine). Our Lords rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees is often couched in stewardship terms. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents? Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! The Parable of the Bags of Gold(A) 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey,(B)who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a]each according to his ability. Play a game of pass the parcel where children must try to rip off each layer when the music stops. What, then, is the root of this third slaves problem? Matthew 25:15. All rights reserved. The master scolded him saying that he should have invested the money and received interest. 16 So the first one came before him and said, Sir, your mina has made ten minas more. 17 And the king said to him, Well done, good slave! Matthew 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. Then he went on his journey. Sometimes the term is not translated at all. Enter into the joy of your master. 22 The one with the two talents also came and said, Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. Please consider their relationship to our text, and to money, time, labor, and profit: 1 To the angel of the church in Sardis write the following: This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead. We often mix up the word talent in the currency sense with our modern English word talent meaning gifts, and its important to understand the money context of what Jesus was saying. It seems safe to deal with the first two servants together, since they are so similar. The difference is not that one group knew the hour, and the other didnt. ~ Excerpt from Matthew Henry Commentary. 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. 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. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24)? 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14). For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. A poor man (a sort of enterprising beggar, perhaps) was busy entertaining the visitors to the zoo. He swallowed up death (1 Corinthians 15: 54) in a victory that involved him getting killed. In short, Jesus is a master who uses methods we dont always understand, which might even seem unfair. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Two Sons? All three stories are about being given something which must be used well, and the consequences of neglecting or abusing it. I am suggesting that the way some Christians look forward to, or practice, retirement is a form of burying your talent. 19 After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. Re-read the passage, preferably in a different translation to get a clearer perspective on what the passage is communicating. We take a little money and put it in the plate, and by doing so we are laying up treasure in heaven. I dont deny that this is true, in part, but it is not the whole of it. 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. The Christian should think about retirement in the same way he or she thinks of being single (if, indeed, you are): 32 And I want you to be free from concern. Crucially, Jesus says that both the parable of the 10 virgins and the parable of the talents are about what the kingdom of heaven will be like in the last days (Matthew 25:1,14). What is the meaning of the Parable of the Wedding Feast? He gives each slave an amount of money, referred to as talents and possibly talents of gold, based upon that man's ability to steward and care for the money. The master goes on his journey, which Luke notes has some opposition (Luke 19:14-15). The day of account comes at last. And,. 7 And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1973), p. 881. 27So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Is this not fruit? Eventually, he tells his sister he will go to the Olympics and then to the mission field, because both honor God. Enter into the joy of your master. 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. Let us listen carefully then, looking to Gods Spirit to enlighten our hearts and minds, and to empower our service, to the glory of God and our eternal good.