Matthew 25:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

NIV: "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.

NASB: Now after a long time the master of those slaves *came and *settled accounts with them.

CSB: "After a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

NLT: After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.

KJV: After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

NKJV: After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

This passage is often called the "parable of the talents." The meaning of this passage is tied to the common modern use of the term "talent," as a reference to some God-given advantage. In the parable, a wealthy landowner goes away on a journey, leaving a massive fortune with three of his servants. He expects them to manage his money and put it to work. The first two servants double what the master left them. The third servant buries the portion given to him in the ground.

Now the master returns from his journey after a long time. This is the picture of Christ's return to the earth after being gone far longer than His followers may have expected (Matthew 24:50; 25:13). As Jesus' other parables have hinted, He too may not return for quite a long while. In the parable, when the master returns, he comes to settle accounts with his servants. He wants to see how much money they have made for him by using what he has given.

The master's purpose is for His servants to use those gifts appropriately, rather than wasting or ignoring them. In practice, for Christians, this means actively using whatever blessings we're given by God, according to His will.

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.