Matthew 25:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

NIV: To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

NASB: To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

CSB: To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one's ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately

NLT: He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last — dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Jesus is telling another story about how His followers should live as they await His return. His other parables have emphasized being prepared as a lifestyle (Matthew 24:50; 25:13). The idea is that believers should never become complacent or assume that Jesus' return is a distant event. This new parable will emphasize the need to also make the most of our time, for His sake, while we wait.

The setting of this parable is familiar. A wealthy landowner is going away and leaving some servants in charge of his possessions. Now Jesus adds that what He is giving is what modern people would refer to as "cash," meaning physical currency. He gives three different amounts to three different servants: five talents to one, two to another, and one talent to the last one.

The original word "talent" refers to a unit of weight. Applied to money, a "talent" was a considerable amount of some precious metal, anywhere from 58 to 80 pounds. The value of a "talent" could vary widely depending on whether the metal was gold, silver, or something else. Regardless, any metal with a monetary value would make a "talent" a considerable sum. Scholars speculate that the standard talent of Jesus' era was worth about 6,000 denarii. Since a common laborer was paid one denarius per day of work, a single talent represented twenty years of working-class wages. So, one, two, and five talents would all have made for enormous amounts of money.

Jesus says that the man gave the differing amounts to each servant according to his ability. The point is not merely for the master to hand them coins, and have those same coins handed back. The master expects the servants to apply these resources, so they will grow (Matthew 25:27). He estimated the business potential of each person and divided his money between them in that proportion.

As the parable continues, the message will become clear. God distributes abilities and resources to people on earth, as He sees fit, and expects them to diligently use those resources for godly purposes (Luke 12:42–48).

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.