Matthew 25:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.

NIV: "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.

NASB: For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.

CSB: "For it is just like a man about to go on a journey. He called his own servants and entrusted his possessions to them.

NLT: Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.

KJV: 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: “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.

After explaining the need to be in constant state of readiness for His return (Matthew 25:13), Jesus immediately begins a new parable. Now He will tell a story to show what His people should do with their lives while they wait. This story is related to that of the faithful and wicked servants at the end of the previous chapter (Matthew 24:45–51), but it goes to a deeper principle.

Following the pattern of the previous parable, Jesus begins with "it is like"; this is a reference to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 25:1). Again, it is the story of a wealthy landowner going away on a journey. This master once again represents Jesus. The master who is leaving calls three of his servants together and gives each direct responsibility over some portion of his property. Making the analogy especially simple, he hands over cash for them to manage while he is gone. This distribution, and what each does with those resources, parallels how God assigns abilities or assets to people and the ways in which each person can respond (Matthew 25:29).

Matthew 25:14–30 compares the kingdom of heaven to three servants of a wealthy master. Each was given resources—the master's assets—and commanded to do business with them while he is away. Two of the servants apply the supplied funds and double the sums of money the master leaves with them. They are richly rewarded when he comes back. The third servant buries the money and does nothing with it out of supposed fear of the master. The master condemns his laziness and evil, casting him out. Jesus' servants must work diligently for Him while waiting for His return, not wasting the talents and resources which they have been given.

Jesus uses two additional parables to illustrate a state of constant readiness for His return after He has gone. His followers should be working for Him while they wait. They must not be like the foolish young women who missed a wedding feast because they forgot oil for their lamps. They must be like the servants who doubled their harsh master's investments while He was away. Jesus concludes with a third descriptive passage, showing how He will judge between the righteous and evil when He returns as King.

Matthew 25 concludes the "Olivet Discourse:" Jesus' teaching to the disciples about future things as they sit on the Mount of Olives. This follows His dire predictions about the Temple and Jerusalem in chapter 24. He gives two more parables to emphasize that they must be prepared for His return. Finally, Jesus describes the moment of His return, after a time of tribulation, when He will judge all who live on earth at the beginning of His kingdom. This leads into Matthew's account of Jesus' Last Supper, betrayal, and arrest in chapter 26.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 12/21/2024 12:20:51 PM