parable of the talents verse parable of the talents verse

Eventually, he tells his sister he will go to the Olympics and then to the mission field, because both honor God. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Working hard for the profit of the kingdom and the King is entering into the joy of our Master. 19Now (H)after a long time the master of those servants came and (I)settled accounts with them. Luke, the man who went away gives each servant the same amount of money (one mina); in Matthew, talents are given to the three slaves according to their ability. 6 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 3:1-6, emphasis mine). But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world, how to please her husband. If so, then what is the fruitful labor God has given to you? 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The talent was the largest measurement of money in those days. Indeed, they accused Him of being a wicked sinner, more worthy of death than Barabbas. 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. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Dragnet? Includes discussion questions and verse by verse commentary for small groups. 29 For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. READ the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The Parable of the Talents 22 The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, 'Master, you entrusted me with two talents. 20 For the creation was subjected to futilitynot willingly but because of God who subjected itin hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay into the glorious freedom of Gods children. As a businessman takes pleasure in making a profit, so our Lord takes pleasure in the profit gained by His faithful servants in His absence. As his grand finale, the man reached in and pulled the tigers whiskers. A talent of gold, for example, would be worth a whole lot more than a talent of bronze. Only the soil that produces a crop is good soil. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? Lets call this aspect of profit exaltation. If we loved our Master, we would view our labors for Him as joy. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, [1] each according to his ability. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. In one of my early trips to India, I went to the zoo. 10 For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them (Ephesians 2:8-10). Burying the talent in the ground is an illustration of using one's God-given gifts for earthly pursuits. It was not until after the fall of man that mans labor became toil: 17 But to Adam he said, Because you obeyed your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, You must not eat from it, cursed is the ground thanks to you; in painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 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 Rich Fool? In fact, if this were to take place today, that money would likely be worth less, due to inflation. The third servant is lazy, because he does not go to work with the money. It is indeed unfortunate that the term talent means something very different today from what our Lord meant when He told this parable. Granted, the interest one gets from a savings account is not the kind of increase one might get from investing in the stock market, but it would at least be a small increase. There is only one who is good. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)? For less than $5/mo. 12:7, 11, 29; Eph. if they get a '6' then they can pop the gloves on and try and unwrap the gift. Is the salvation of lost sinners not profit in the eternal sense? 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions (Matthew 24:45-47). Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Heaven is not to be thought of as me laying beside the pool, sipping a tall, cool one, as one of my fellow elders commented this past week. 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. English Standard Version (ESV). Just as a businessman expects to make a profit, and rejoices when his employees increase his wealth, so God expects a profit and rejoices in it. 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. The third servant did not invest his masters money at all; he dug a hole in the ground and buried his masters money. 27So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 15 To one he gave five talents,[ b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. You have been faithful in a few things. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made. A small gain could have been obtained without great risk or effort on the part of the slave, but he chose to do nothing at all. Therefore, the master represents Christ, while the three servants represent those who serve him. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. 29(K)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. He did not increase his masters money at all. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Two Sons? What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unforgiving / Unmerciful Servant? 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. To them belong the adoption as sons, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises. (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. 12 Therefore he said, A nobleman went to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Play a game of pass the parcel where children must try to rip off each layer when the music stops. I believe this may be the case in our text. 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. Let us then consider the primary message in this text. There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. New American Bible the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. I think we could all agree that the salvation of lost souls is a profit for the kingdom. I saw something there that both amazed and troubled me. Since a talent was actually a measurement of weight, it did not have a constant value. ), [Rom. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21). Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Visit a foreign land. to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. The apocalyptic context is underscored in Lukes version, where people try to keep the master from becoming king and are killed for their rebellion. By faith, have you entered into His labor, His saving work on your behalf on the cross of Calvary? And if our labors are joyful, we will delight in the thought of further labor. ), for my conscience assures me in the Holy Spirit 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 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 would probably do well to compare this text with a couple of passages in the Gospel of Luke: 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! You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. 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. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. ~ Excerpt from Matthew Henry Commentary. 12:11; Eph. Re-read the passage, preferably in a different translation to get a clearer perspective on what the passage is communicating. The difference is not that one group knew the hour, and the other didnt. God expects to see a profit. A talent, just so you know, was a measure of money. 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. I contend that verse 14 does not begin the new paragraph, but that verse 13 does. 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! Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. The master is pleased with both servants and gives them new responsibilities: You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. master. The joy of the master must, in some way, equate to enjoying the bliss of heaven, with our Lord. From the parable of the talents we seem to be informed that unbelievers are entrusted with certain things, and that they will also give account for their stewardship. In our parable, money is given to us to use, to work with, not just to give back. And the longer the master was gone, the more interest was lost by the slaves inactivity. In order to understand the meaning and the application of the parable of the talents, we must take note of the crucial terms and their meanings. They returned to their master with double the talents! 12 For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of Gods utterances. In my opinion, nothing in our text compels us to think (or even imply) that this might be the case. 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. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, but you will eat the grain of the field. 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. 271. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. 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. Matthew 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 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. Is retirement a denial, in effect, of the curse? Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - Bible Story, The Ten Commandments - Bible Verses and Importance Today, Parable of the Prodigal Son - Bible Story, The Resurrection of Jesus - Bible Story and Prophecy. See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. I believe that this parable focuses on four major themes: resources, work, time and profit. In Acts 1:9-11, their understanding is greatly enhanced: While commentators differ somewhat over the approximate value of a talent in todays economy, all would agree that it was a large amount of money. Pertaining to self, i.e. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 278 Actually, the good slave is both morally good and useful, but his usefulness is emphasized most in the context. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. man goes to another country, stays a long time, and then returns. 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. He didnt even hand the money over to bankers,276 to let them go to work with it. The first presents his master with ten talents. For you were bought at a price. 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. To the first he entrusted five talents, to the second two talents, and to the third one talent. Jesus made it clear that His return would not be immediate, but after much trouble and the passing of a considerable period of time. Salt is good, but if salt loses its flavor, how can its flavor be restored? (Luke 14:34). 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. The talents were distributed on the basis of ability, not as the bestowing of ability. See, I have gained five more. 21 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful slave! This is only speculation. It is not the money that goes to work, as such, but the worker. There is also a message to all mankind. The parable of the talents is told in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-27. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Leaven. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. What is the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares? Whether you read the Matthew version or the Luke version, each servant is getting a substantial chunk of cash to invest as they will. (1) Verse 13 does not really seem to fit with verses 1-12, or to contribute to their message. 11 If then you havent been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches? The first servant has made the biggest return (10 minas from one mina, or 10 talents from five talents). Knowing that Jesus was describing servants being given huge amounts of cash to invest helps us to understand just how generous the master was being, the opportunity each servant was given. However, the talents (or minas in Lukes version) represent more than just the monetary resources God gives us. Luke there are ten servants; in Matthew, there are only three. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved unto good works: 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. ), [Rom. Used by permission. In Matthew, this is especially clear in 12:40; 24:27, 37. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. There is a great reward waiting for those who steward well with what the Lord has given them. We should first consider the masters assessment of all three slaves: The first two slaves were commended as being both good and faithful. The term good is sometimes employed in a moral sense. Parable of the Talents I am now inclined to say that verse 13 fits best with verses 14-30. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. After centuries of Israelites seeing themselves as Gods only favored people, he opened things up for Gentiles to become co-heirs (Ephesians 3:6). It seems safe to deal with the first two servants together, since they are so similar. Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular. As I thought of this slaves attitude toward his master, I was reminded of this passage in the Book of Exodus: 1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, Release my people so that they may hold a pilgrim feast to me in the desert. 2 But Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord that I should obey him by releasing Israel? They complain that He requires of them more than they are capable of, and punishes them for what they cannot help. Heaven involves work, but it is profitable work. His servants will worship him, 4 and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads (Revelation 22:1-4). His entertainment was to torment one of the tigers. What if the church were to be scrutinized as a business? He swallowed up death (1 Corinthians 15: 54) in a victory that involved him getting killed. Each (of more than two), every one. Dont blame it on God. And,. 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. Unfaithful service led to condemnation, the removal of ones stewardship, and an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness, away from the presence of our Lord. The one who has been faithful on earth with a little thing like money will be given greater work to do in heaven. In short, Jesus is a master who uses methods we dont always understand, which might even seem unfair. 4:11], [Matt. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24)? Jesus was also the stone rejected by builders, yet he became the capstone (Matthew 21:42). Faith Talk Ministries, Faithful to the End His doom is, to be cast into outer darkness. 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. It is the continuation of fruitful, profitable labor. The master scolded him saying that he should have invested the money and received interest. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Community Bible Chapel. 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. Players take turns to roll a dice. Each of these things (and many others) are given by God, to use in ways that glorify him and draws others toward him. 20And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more. 21His master said to him, Well done, good and (J)faithful servant. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents? 8 But you must require of them the same quota of bricks that they were making before. Different. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now (Romans 8:18-22). Read: MATTHEW 25:14-30. In the natural world, talents differ. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. This parable is not primarily about faith, nor is it about being willing to take a risk (this was merely the wicked slaves excuse). The master goes on his journey, which Luke notes has some opposition (Luke 19:14-15). 14 But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14). 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. As I was teaching the parable of the virgins, I could not see how verse 13 served as any kind of conclusion to the first 12 verses. Both of these faithful slaves are rewarded well for their faithful service. (Now the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil were in the middle of the orchard.) Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. My study of this text has caused me to conclude that the paragraph breaks related to our text are confusing at best, and wrong at worst. The slothful servant is sentenced to be deprived of his talent. We have the most valuable gift of all, the Word of God and the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. What is the meaning of the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? - Unto one he gave five talents. I thus take verse 13 as the first verse of this new paragraph. 4:7; 1 Pet. 20 The one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, Sir, you entrusted me with five talents. They justified their rejection of Jesus by claiming that He was the problem. How does not knowing the day or the hour affect either the five wise virgins or the five foolish virgins? 20So 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. 21His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you were (E)faithful over a few things, (F)I will make you ruler over many things. It is as though he had said, I knew you were unreasonable, and that there was no way to please you, and so I decided not even to try.. 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. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. The disciples ask for details about the last days, and Jesus talks about how harsh they will be, warning them to look out for false teachers and so forth. 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. The second servant has made (five minas from one mina, or four talents from two talents). Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received my money back with interest! of It was his hope that in doing something spectacular he might receive a gift or donation. 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. Speed and thrust increase. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. Dr. Ron Jones, Using Your Talents for the Glory of God 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. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursedcut off from Christfor the sake of my people, my fellow countrymen, 4 who are Israelites. 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. 16He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. Heaven can hardly be described in terms of retirement. This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 78 in the Studies in the Gospel of Matthew series prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on April 24, 2005. 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! But Abraham said, Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things and Lazarus likewise bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish (Luke 16:25). The day of account comes at last. Specifically, I am speaking of Matthew 25:13: Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13). I believe that there are other texts of Scripture which indicate that God has entrusted (by common grace, in some cases) certain assets to all men, and that all men are accountable to God for how they use (or do not use) these resources which God has entrusted to them. 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. 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. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Gospels: Matthew 25:16 Immediately he who received the five talents (Matt. Rick Warren, Be Faithful in Small Things 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. What, then, is the root of this third slaves problem? We must all be reckoned with as to what good we have got to our own souls, and have done to others, by the advantages we have enjoyed. 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. I believe it is his view of his master, and thus the work his master has assigned. He has granted the time and the resources for men to make a profit for the kingdom of heaven, until He returns. If he were afraid to take any risk, then why did he not at least put the talent in the hands of the bankers, who would conservatively invest it for him, and gain at least some interest? Enter into the joy of your master (Matthew 25:20-21). What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? This is his excuse for doing nothing. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once . Let them go and collect straw for themselves. 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. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. For example, this story is about talents which was a super large amount of money in Bible times. The original text is quite clear here it is the first servant (and we assume the second, as well) who immediately sets to work with his masters money. 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. (2) Many of the commentaries acknowledge the abruptness of verse 14 as the first verse of a new paragraph.