Matthew 25:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’

NIV: The man with two bags of gold also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.'

NASB: Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’

CSB: "The man with two talents also approached. He said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. See, I've earned two more talents.'

NLT: The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’

KJV: 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.

NKJV: He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’

This verse is nearly a repeat of Matthew 20. The second servant makes his report about what he accomplished with the money left for him by his master (Matthew 25:14–15). He has also doubled the master's investment by using it to start a trading business. He started with two talents and ended up with four talents, which he now presents to his master.

Both of the first two servants have doubled their master's investment. Both have proven themselves worthy of the evaluation the master made of their ability to do business. They have succeeded both in business and, as the following verse shows, in pleasing their master. It's important to the story to note that this servant is bringing less than half as much profit to his master as the first servant; however, he is still richly rewarded. The point is that God's intent is for us to use the resources, skills, and assets He has given to us, in godly ways, to the best of our ability (Matthew 25:23).

In contrast, those who ignore the abilities given them by God will be harshly judged (Matthew 25:26–27).

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.

Accessed 5/3/2024 2:35:57 PM