Matthew 25:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money.

NIV: But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

NASB: But he who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

CSB: But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money.

NLT: But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.

KJV: But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

NKJV: But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

Jesus' parable has described two amazingly impressive servants. Their master left them massive sums of money to manage for him while he was on a journey. They have both doubled their master's funds by using the money to start trading businesses. That is remarkable (Matthew 25:14–17). This represents God's intent for the skills, abilities, and resources He gives to His people: to be used wisely and for God's benefit. To do otherwise is to "waste our talents."

Here Jesus describes the third servant, given a single talent. Compared to what was offered to the other servants, this does not sound like much. It's worth noting that even a single talent, in that era, might have been nearly 20 years' wages for a common laborer. Even if it was not as much as given to others, it was still extremely valuable.

The servant with the one talent did not go into business to try to multiply his master's money. Nor did He invest it, or work with it. He simply buried it. He dug a hole and put the entire amount in the ground. He literally hid it and did nothing constructive. His master's response will show that this was the worst thing the servant could have done (Matthew 25:27).

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.