[15]And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every . But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband. You have been faithful with a few things. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 27 Now my soul is greatly distressed. Then he went away. Beyond this, His return would come at a time when it was not expected (Matthew 24:44). First, the master stayed away for a long time (Matthew 25:19). I will end with these words from our Lord to the church at Sardis. Specifically, I am speaking of Matthew 25:13: Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13). 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. A parable is a type of story Jesus would tell so we would learn something from it. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. ESV Text Edition: 2016. Let them go and collect straw for themselves. Whether you read the Matthew version or the Luke version, each servant is getting a substantial chunk of cash to invest as they will. Heaven is not a hammock; it is not a glorified vacation. Today a talent might be worth a million dollars! He swallowed up death (1 Corinthians 15: 54) in a victory that involved him getting killed. Parable Of The Sower Further Parables Parables Parable Of The Pharisee And Publican Parable Of The Hidden Treasure Parable Of The Net Parable Of The Unmerciful Servant Parable Of The Workers In The Vineyard Parable Of The Tenants Parable Of The Good Samaritan Parable Of The Lost Sheep/Lost Coin Parable Of The Prodigal Son Parable Of The Wedding Banquet Parable Of The Fig Tree Rich Man And Lazarus Parable Parable Of The Pharisee And The Tax Collector Parable Of The Ten Virgins Parable Of The Talents Parable Of The Sower Parable Of The Tares Parable Of The Marriage Feast Parable Of The Great Supper Parable Of The Vineyard Talents Jotham By A Parable Rebukes Them, And Foretells Their Ruin Nathan's Parable Of The Ewe Lamb Causes David To Be His Own Judge Prophet, Under The Parable Of A Prisoner, Under The Parable Of A Vineyard, God Excuses His Severe Judgment His Incomparableness Idols Are Not Comparable To God For Power By The Parable Of Bottles Filled With Wine He Foretells Their Drunkenness In Misery Under The Parable Of A Wretched Infant Is Shown The Natural State Of Jerusalem Under The Parable Of Two Eagles And A Vine Lamentation For The Princes Of Israel, By The Parable Of A Lion Whelping In A Pit For Jerusalem, Under The Parable Of A Wasted Vine Under The Parable Of A Boiling Pot Parable Of The Sower And The Seed Parable Of The Weeds Explanation Of The Parable Of The Weeds Parable Of The Hidden Treasure Which He Sets Forth By A Parable Of The King Who Took Account Of His Servants, Jesus, By The Parable Of The Laborers In The Vineyard, Shows That God Is Debtor Unto No Man Rebukes Them By The Parable Of The Two Sons, Parable Of The Marriage Of The King's Son Parable Of The Ten Virgins, Of The Talents Parable Of The Sower, Parable Of The Seed Growing Secretly Jesus Tells The Parable Of The Tenants Illustrates The Matter By The Parable Of Patches. 20 "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you werefaithful over a few things,I will make you ruler over many things. When the third servants excuses are set aside, it becomes evident that this man is lazy he didnt do any work. The second and third soils represent those who initially show some interest in the gospel, but then reject it when the meaning of the gospel becomes clear. The Topic of Teenagers Open Heavens for Saturday 4th March 2023 Is "Parable of The Talents I". He gives each of them some money. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? The apocalyptic context is underscored in Lukes version, where people try to keep the master from becoming king and are killed for their rebellion. The third slave is just the opposite. In short, Jesus is a master who uses methods we dont always understand, which might even seem unfair. Wells The Invisible Man where a foolish theologian suggests a strangers problem is he only has one talent. The one who has been faithful on earth with a little thing like money will be given greater work to do in heaven. Then he went on his journey. 16Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. How different was the outlook of the first two slaves. Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. which was given to the third (unfaithful) servant is taken away and given to the faithful servant who gained the most for his master. Christians will spend all eternity at work, and this work will include ruling with our Lord and praising Him. Pressing this matter just a little further, if the church were to be considered a business and every member were to be viewed as an employee, how many of us should reasonably expect to keep our jobs? Our Lords teaching in the parable of the talents is that God expects profit that is the product of our labors. ~ Excerpt from Matthew Henry Commentary. Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao; a balance, i.e. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Father, deliver me from this hour? Pharaoh was a harsh master. He demanded that the Israelites make bricks, but he refused to supply them with the necessary materials. Verse Concepts. Never, other than in our text (according to most versions), is it employed to begin a new paragraph. 27. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-28) Return to your labor! 5 Pharaoh was thinking, The people of the land are now many, and you are giving them rest from their labor. 6 That same day Pharaoh commanded the slave masters and foremen who were over the people: 7 You must no longer give straw to the people for making bricks as before. Since a talent was actually a measurement of weight, it did not have a constant value. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his . I was talking about this text with a friend, and he said, God expects the principle, plus interest. I think thats right. There is also a message to all mankind. All rights reserved. The Parable of the Talents. 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 (Matthew 25:24, emphasis mine). Both of these faithful slaves are rewarded well for their faithful service. master tells his unfaithful servant that he should have put the money in the bank. The soil which produces no grain (in other instances, no fruit, or no profit) is bad soil. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. 271 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible. Jumble. William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1973), p. 881. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 46 Blessed is that slave whom the master finds at work when he comes. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector? Let us not envy sinners, or covet any of their perishing possessions. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Christ keeps no servants to be idle: they have received their all from him, and have nothing they can call their own but sin. Yes, there are official positions for certain church tasks (preaching, evangelizing, teaching, etc.) A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). Some say that it was the equivalent to 20 years wages for a common laborer.275 We must remember, then, that a talent is a measure of money; it is not a reference to abilities. Its also preceded by a story about a servant not using his position well while the master is away. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. It is the real Christian's liberty and privilege to be employed as his Redeemer's servant, in promoting his glory, and the good of his people: the love of Christ constrains him to live no longer to himself, but to Him, that died for him and rose again. The third slave is an entirely different matter. 8 But you must require of them the same quota of bricks that they were making before. However, as planned, he becomes king of the distant land and returns home to see how his servants have done. All rights reserved. He took his talent from him, gave it to the one who earned ten, and cast this fellow into outer darkness, where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth. These folks were a more honest (hopefully) version of money changer than those who did business in the temple precincts. This was paradise, my friend, and thus their work was not drudgery; it was a delight: 8 The Lord God planted an orchard in the east, in Eden; and there he placed the man he had formed. Re-read the passage, preferably in a different translation to get a clearer perspective on what the passage is communicating. To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. Hank Hanegraaff, Economy of God After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 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. 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. Come and share your masters happiness! (Matthew 25:21). It is available on the Internet at: www.netbible.org. Revelation makes it clear that in the last days, Jesus will subvert his opponents, punish them and be named king over the world. They justified their rejection of Jesus by claiming that He was the problem. 33 But a married man is concerned about the things of the world, how to please his wife, 34 and he is divided. Is retirement a denial, in effect, of the curse? So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them., I will make you ruler over many things. This is his excuse for doing nothing. 27So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Indeed, it is used to explain what has been said before. 12 Therefore he said, A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. He didnt even hand the money over to bankers,276 to let them go to work with it. 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). Matthew 25:14-30 : The Parable of the Talents. Since Jesus was the son of God and therefore had a right to the kingship he claimed, we cant accuse him of stealing what he didnt deserve. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. What is the meaning of the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? Look, there you have what is yours.. Noelle Kirchner, The Generosity Of God A talent, just so you know, was a measure of money. In the parable of the talent, there are two clear references to time. This slave does absolutely nothing with the talent that has been entrusted to him, nothing but bury it, that is.277 We need to distinguish between his excuses and the masters assessment, both of which are conveyed in our text. Do not reduce it, for they are slackers. What can we learn from the parable of the persistent widow and unjust judge? This servant came to his master with only the talent his master had originally entrusted to him. Such labor is, to a large degree, entering into the joy of our Master. This rest is not the end of all labor, however: Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience (Hebrews 4:11). "For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to . 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). I think we could all agree that the salvation of lost souls is a profit for the kingdom. Matthew 25:14-31 NKJV;ESV - The Parable of the Talents - "For the Faithful saints are given even greater responsibilities, and even more work. Those who know not the day of their visitation shall have the things that belong to their peace hid from their eyes. From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power. 2 Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about to die, because I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. If Adams sin brought about painful labor for mankind, the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ (the last Adam 1 Corinthians 15:45) brought rest: 28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29(S)For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. 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. Parable of the Talents children's story - dltk-kids.com However, Jesus claimed kingship in a way that confused many people, and the way his kingdom operates often offends our sense of propriety. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. He let taxpayers and prostitutes into the kingdom of heaven first (Matthew 21:31). This is probably a sermon in itself perhaps even a book. We find our true joy and place in life when we serve God with our gifts. (M)There will be weeping and (N)gnashing of teeth.. This whole matter of profit expands the teaching of our Lord in Matthew 6: 19 Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. Sometimes it is merely a connective, a virtual conjunction. In the natural world, talents differ. Thus, time seems to be a more important factor in verses 14-31 than in 1-13. Works are the result of faith, not a substitute for faith. The, the definite article. If this is the case, and we are to be at work until He comes, then why do we think that reaching a certain age entitles us to cease our labors for Him? The slothful servant is sentenced to be deprived of his talent. The word hard, which this slave used to characterize his master, is far from flattering. One man may design a church building, a cathedral. The translation project originally started as an attempt to provide an electronic version of a modern translation for electronic distribution over the Internet and on CD (compact disk). However, all creation was made very good (Genesis 1:31), and we must do all things to Gods glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). Let me see if I can defend my allegation. Salt is good, but if salt loses its flavor, how can its flavor be restored? (Luke 14:34). He is not harsh, nor does He require that we do the impossible (make a profit where He has not provided the means). I now see the answer, which appears to be consistent with all of the places where this principle is set forth. Matthew 25:15. But this work is joyful. It is used in 1 Samuel 25:3 to describe Nabal, Abigails husband, who is a stubborn fool.281 Isaiah (48:4) uses this term to describe Israels abstinence. It is the continuation of fruitful, profitable labor. He contended that this is why he was afraid to take a risk with any kind of investment. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from them, by human descent, came the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever! Before he leaves, he entrusts money to his slaves. Is this not the way that our Lords adversaries looked at Him? Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Gospels: Matthew 25:15 To one he gave five talents (Matt. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Ten Virgins? Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Gospels: Matthew 25:16 Immediately he who received the five talents (Matt. See, I have gained two more. 23 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful slave! Visit a foreign land. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. 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. From apodemos; to go abroad, i.e. (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. Unwrap the Gift. Bible Verses about Parable of the Talents - Church of the Great God 27 But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and slaughter them in front of me!. 4:7; 1 Pet. 13:12; Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18; [John 15:2], NKJV, Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, 2nd Edition, Comfort Print: Growing in Knowledge and Understanding of God Through His Word, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word. Eventually, he tells his sister he will go to the Olympics and then to the mission field, because both honor God. (17) Because thou hast been faithful in a very little.--More literally, because thou didst become faithful. The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14-30, impresses on them the weight of that responsibility and the serious consequences of neglecting to understand and apply His instructions. Parables of Jesus by James Montgomery Boice. In my opinion, thats living dangerously. He gives each of them some money. 14 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[ a] and entrusted to them his property. You have been faithful in a few things. 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. Let me call your attention to the most important elements of the parable, as I now understand it. When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, He gave them work to do. 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. a certain weight or 'talent'. The Parable of the Talents - Bible Verse Story and Meaning Second, because they have proven themselves to be faithful with the few things entrusted to them, they are now given even greater responsibilities by their master. He wanted to know how much they had earned by trading. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, [1] each according to his ability. to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Enter into the joy of your master!' 24 Finally, the servant who had . The master goes on his journey, which Luke notes has some opposition (Luke 19:14-15). 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. Lets begin with the end result profit. The first presents his master with ten talents. It may be that you are not like the first two slaves, but like the third. He distributes his wealth among three servants, apportioned to them on the basis of their abilities. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. Then he (F)went away. 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. Yet is this not what our Lord is teaching us in this parable? Matthew 25:29 (NIV) ANSWERS. In our text, the good slave is the useful or beneficial slave, for he has gained a profit for his master.278 He is also faithful because he has been at work with his masters money from the time he left until the time he returned. Then he went on his journey. 4:10]. 12:7, 11, 29; Eph. And the longer the master was gone, the more interest was lost by the slaves inactivity. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. The only difference seems to be in their abilities, and thus in the talents that were entrusted to them. NKJV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture, NKJV, Abide Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version. I realize that I am going to pull some whiskers by what I am about to say, but I think that I am being true to our text, and to the Bible as a whole. All three stories are about being given something which must be used well, and the consequences of neglecting or abusing it. It is the word Moses uses in Genesis 42:7,280 to describe Josephs disguise of harshness before his brothers. Works that produce a profit for the kingdom282 are the basis for our rewards. 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. His servants will worship him, 4 and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads (Revelation 22:1-4). Handed down. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. man goes to another country, stays a long time, and then returns. There is only one who is good. 4:11], [Matt. Matthew 25:14-30 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15To one he gave five (D)talents,[b] to another two, to another one, (E)to each according to his ability. 17And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 10 The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. He said to him, Why do you ask me about what is good? He demanded that they make something out of nothing, so to speak. Neither group knew when the groom was coming. 27Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. Bible Memory Verse. [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. Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Enter into, He also who had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.. Playlist: Go to the Parable of the Talents (topic) playlist . 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. In my opinion, nothing in our text compels us to think (or even imply) that this might be the case. By faith, have you entered into His labor, His saving work on your behalf on the cross of Calvary? Since help was available to him in the Church, the man had no excuse. In that place (V)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.. 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. 'Parable of the Talents' Childrens Lesson (Matthew 25:14-30)
