parable of the talents verse

24:47; 25:34, 46; Luke 12:44; 22:29, 30; Rev. A popular job website lists theaverage monthly wage for Americans in 2021 as $5,555 per month. master tells his unfaithful servant that he should have put the money in the bank. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. This is a sobering question. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. On each side of the river is the tree of life producing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month of the year. 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work270 and gained five more. When the master returned, the first two eagerly met their master, apparently delighted in the opportunity to multiply their masters money.273 Both were commended as good and faithful servants; both were rewarded with increased responsibilities in their masters service; both were invited to share in their masters joy. 12:11; Eph. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. third servant hides what was entrusted to him. From apodemos; to go abroad, i.e. 26But his lord answered and said to him, You (J)wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. In fact, if this were to take place today, that money would likely be worth less, due to inflation. Before he goes, the master brings his servants together (three in the Matthew version, 10 in the Luke version). 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now (Romans 8:18-22). Scripture taken from the New King James Version. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Ten Virgins? They complain that He requires of them more than they are capable of, and punishes them for what they cannot help. However, Jesus claimed kingship in a way that confused many people, and the way his kingdom operates often offends our sense of propriety. If we loved our Master, we would view our labors for Him as joy. Return to your labor! 5 Pharaoh was thinking, The people of the land are now many, and you are giving them rest from their labor. 6 That same day Pharaoh commanded the slave masters and foremen who were over the people: 7 You must no longer give straw to the people for making bricks as before. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. And what should I say? 7 And so, since we have been justified by his grace, we become heirs with the confident expectation of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on such truths, so that those who have placed their faith in God may be intent on engaging in good works. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He gives each slave an amount of money, referred to as talents and possibly talents of gold, based upon that man's ability to steward and care for the money. 13 For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place a limitation on you, but so that without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). This is probably a sermon in itself perhaps even a book. 5 The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before my Father and before his angels. Therefore glorify God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:20). He doubled the money his master entrusted to him. Its also interesting that when the third servant returns his money, he accuses the master of being a hard man who reaps where he did not sow (Matthew 25:24). For all the saints. The lazy, wicked slave in our parable is that person who refuses to go to work with the resources God has provided, to produce profit for the kingdom of heaven. First, they receive their masters commendation, Well done, good and faithful slave (verses 21, 23). But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him (Matthew 25:29; see also 13:12; Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18; 19:26). I thus take verse 13 as the first verse of this new paragraph. - Unto one he gave five talents. His entertainment was to torment one of the tigers. These rebels are slaughtered. Used by permission. The Parable of the Talents 22 The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, 'Master, you entrusted me with two talents. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Unforgiving / Unmerciful Servant? an ounce) was nearly equivalent to 400 of our money. He is not harsh, nor does He require that we do the impossible (make a profit where He has not provided the means). He is evil in the sense that he is useless, or unprofitable. Notice how this same word279 is used in Matthew 7: In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad [literally rotten] tree bears bad fruit (Matthew 7:17, emphasis mine). Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put him in charge of all his possessions (Matthew 24:45-47). Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. Luke, we are told that the reason for the parable was to correct the misconception that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately; no such reason is stated in Matthew. 17And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. There is also a message to all mankind. Please consider their relationship to our text, and to money, time, labor, and profit: 1 To the angel of the church in Sardis write the following: This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead. He swallowed up death (1 Corinthians 15: 54) in a victory that involved him getting killed. We are not saved by good works, but we are saved unto good works: 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast. 15 To one he gave five talents,[ b] to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. No, but for this very reason I have come to this hour. 20So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them. 21His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you were (E)faithful over a few things, (F)I will make you ruler over many things. You have been faithful in a few things. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. Im not saying that one should never cease their employment nor end their career. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. God made me for a purpose, for China, Liddell says, But he also made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure. The, the definite article. Dennis Rainey. John Driver points out in his book Parable Church that at 2018s average household incomes, one talent would be about $1.2 million. 27So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. All three stories are about being given something which must be used well, and the consequences of neglecting or abusing it. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. But each man doubled his masters money. 28So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. 4:10]. Two of the slaves seem eager to show their master what they have accomplished in his absence. 274 If my concordance program is correct, this term occurs 526 times in the New Testament. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats? See, I have gained two more.' 23 His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? 1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Pressing this matter just a little further, if the church were to be considered a business and every member were to be viewed as an employee, how many of us should reasonably expect to keep our jobs? Parables of Jesus by James Montgomery Boice. He said to him, Why do you ask me about what is good? Is this not the way that our Lords adversaries looked at Him? This was paradise, my friend, and thus their work was not drudgery; it was a delight: 8 The Lord God planted an orchard in the east, in Eden; and there he placed the man he had formed. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed? One's own; by implication, private or separate. The first servant has made the biggest return (10 minas from one mina, or 10 talents from five talents). Lets begin with the end result profit. This is like one of those reality TV shows where people compete for money to invest in a project, only with a different agenda. I have often been puzzled over these words, repeated several times in the New Testament: For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. 15 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. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24)? Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. He gives each of them some money. 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten. Jesus' stories had more than one meaning. To gain, acquire, win (over), avoid loss. He then tells the servants to put this money to work (Luke 19:13), invest it to make more money for him, and he would see their results when hes back. Proud member Did this third slave think that there would be no reward for his faithful service because his master was a hard man? Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). A talent of gold, for example, would be worth a whole lot more than a talent of bronze. Granted, the interest one gets from a savings account is not the kind of increase one might get from investing in the stock market, but it would at least be a small increase. The story of Jesustelling this parable really begins in Matthew 24 when he mentions the coming destruction of Jerusalem. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. It was his hope that in doing something spectacular he might receive a gift or donation. In addition, anyone who wants to share the Bible with others can print unlimited copies and give them away free to others. A talent, just so you know, was a measure of money. Our Lords teaching in the parable of the talents is that God expects profit that is the product of our labors. But the master did provide the means for his slave to make a profit. The first steward is given 5 talents, the second is given two talents and the third is given one. Luke there are ten servants; in Matthew, there are only three. 21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. ~ Excerpt from Matthew Henry Commentary. He does not go to work with his masters money, over a lengthy period of time, and thus make a profit. 29(S)For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. The masters return presumably refers to the last days when Jesus will return, and at the final judgment unrepentant sinners will perish and those served God will be rewarded according to their actions (Revelation 20:11-15) (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. man goes to another country, stays a long time, and then returns. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once . I saw something there that both amazed and troubled me. He provides the money and the ability, but we are expected to work hard with what He has given us, for the profit of the kingdom. Burying the talent in the ground is an illustration of using one's God-given gifts for earthly pursuits. The Parable of the Bags of Gold(A) 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey,(B)who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a]each according to his ability. Parable of the Talents. Heaven is described in terms of work, not play, of activity, not passivity. I am not arguing against retirement in the economic sense. 14 "Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. In this show, one boss brings several employees into a room, gives them each cash, and tells them to invest to grow his corporation. Only the soil that produces a crop is good soil. Its also preceded by a story about a servant not using his position well while the master is away. For less than $5/mo. So you knew that I harvest where I didnt sow and gather where I didnt scatter? And they were right because he praised them and invited them to join him as participants in his joy. Enter into the joy of your master. 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Luke 19:13,14 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come, Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular, Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular. In the Matthew version, he gives one servant 10 talents (or bags of gold), another five talents, and the third one talent. Lets call this aspect of profit exaltation. Heaven is not a hammock; it is not a glorified vacation. The slothful servant is sentenced to be deprived of his talent. NKJV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture, NKJV, Abide Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version. Since a talent was actually a measurement of weight, it did not have a constant value. The one-talent slave is clearly not saved; he is condemned to hell. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. Second, the faithful servants immediately went to work to increase their master's money ( Matthew 25:16-17 ). All rights reserved. It seems safe to deal with the first two servants together, since they are so similar. What is it that you want Him to find you doing when He returns? 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, # 25:15 Greek five talents two talents one talent; also throughout this parable; a talent was worth about 20 years of a day laborer's wage. I was talking about this text with a friend, and he said, God expects the principle, plus interest. I think thats right. For the joy set out for him he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 272 I am assuming that the second servant acted just as quickly as the first, because our Lord tells us that he acted in a similar manner. Then he went away. Works are the result of faith, not a substitute for faith. What is your ministry, your unique contribution to the kingdom of God? See, I have gained five more. 21 His master answered, Well done, good and faithful slave! In short, Jesus is a master who uses methods we dont always understand, which might even seem unfair. The Christian should think about retirement in the same way he or she thinks of being single (if, indeed, you are): 32 And I want you to be free from concern. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lords money. 15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for and maintain it (Genesis 2:8-9, 15). You have been faithful in a few things. Unfaithful service led to condemnation, the removal of ones stewardship, and an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness, away from the presence of our Lord. He demanded that they make something out of nothing, so to speak. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them. Dont bury what God has entrusted to you; go to work with it, for the glory of God, and for your eternal rewards. It is as though he had said, I knew you were unreasonable, and that there was no way to please you, and so I decided not even to try.. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. Luke, the man who went away is a nobleman who leaves to obtain a kingdom; in Matthew, no such information is given. 14 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants[ a] and entrusted to them his property. Read the full Bible passage of this story below and find related articles, videos, and audio sermons to help your understanding of this biblical lesson. If we grew up in cultures where the individual is primary, we also tend to think we can live as we please. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursedcut off from Christfor the sake of my people, my fellow countrymen, 4 who are Israelites. I am suggesting that we have come to view retirement as that time in life when we can greatly reduce or terminate our giving, and when we can cease our service. Play a game of pass the parcel where children must try to rip off each layer when the music stops. 3 Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up (Hebrews 12:1-3, emphasis mine). Inductive Bible study of Jesus' parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. 13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. [c] (K)You have been faithful over a little; (L)I will set you over much. This servant came to his master with only the talent his master had originally entrusted to him. The Moody Church, Using Your God-Given Talents He distributes his wealth among three servants, apportioned to them on the basis of their abilities. My study of this text has caused me to conclude that the paragraph breaks related to our text are confusing at best, and wrong at worst. Salt is good, but if salt loses its flavor, how can its flavor be restored? (Luke 14:34). There is only one who is good. From that point on work was different; there was a certain futility to work: 18 For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden, He gave them work to do. In my opinion, nothing in our text compels us to think (or even imply) that this might be the case. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. Their trading of the talents signifies the faithful use that one should make of gifts and opportunities of service to God. Here, (P)you have what is yours. 26But his master answered him, You (Q)wicked and (R)slothful servant! These folks were a more honest (hopefully) version of money changer than those who did business in the temple precincts. Then he gives the one talent to the first servant, for to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away (Luke 19:26). Unwrap the Gift. Well talk about this a bit later, but for the moment, I am inclined to understand this expression in contrast to another in our text, And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 25:30). English Standard Version (ESV). (2) Many of the commentaries acknowledge the abruptness of verse 14 as the first verse of a new paragraph. In that place (V)there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.. We often mix up the word talent in the currency sense with our modern English word talent meaning gifts, and its important to understand the money context of what Jesus was saying. Jesus came into a world that was the devils domain (1 John 5:19) and claimed it for himself, despite opposition from demons and sinful people who disliked him calling out their flaws. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. He does not require us to make bricks without providing both the clay and the straw. Never, other than in our text (according to most versions), is it employed to begin a new paragraph. 19Now (H)after a long time the master of those servants came and (I)settled accounts with them. The masters dealings with the third servant is a very different matter. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. 18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, but you will eat the grain of the field. I will end with these words from our Lord to the church at Sardis. First, the master stayed away for a long time ( Matthew 25:19 ). The joy of the master must, in some way, equate to enjoying the bliss of heaven, with our Lord. William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1973), p. 881. Some say that it was the equivalent to 20 years wages for a common laborer.275 We must remember, then, that a talent is a measure of money; it is not a reference to abilities. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Parable of the Talents How does not knowing the day or the hour affect either the five wise virgins or the five foolish virgins? What can we learn from the parable of the persistent widow and unjust judge? He does no work for a lengthy period of time and thus is useless. This is the edited manuscript of Lesson 78 in the Studies in the Gospel of Matthew series prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh on April 24, 2005. Each (of more than two), every one. It would appear that only the fourth soil represents the true believer. Matthew 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. For less than $5/mo. What is the meaning of the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price? One must surely conclude that this parable is not just an interesting story, but a message of eternal significance. After centuries of Israelites seeing themselves as Gods only favored people, he opened things up for Gentiles to become co-heirs (Ephesians 3:6). After all of Jesus' teaching, the disciples, although still limited in their knowledge and understanding, knew for sure that Jesus was to restore His Kingdom to Israel ( Acts 1:6 ). What is the meaning of the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)? If we seek to shun the work our Lord has given us, it betrays a wrong attitude and relationship with our Master. Multiply Your Talents Today a talent might be worth a million dollars! Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you will have authority over ten cities. 18 Then the second one came and said, Sir, your mina has made five minas. 19 So the king said to him, And you are to be over five cities. 20 Then another slave came and said, Sir, here is your mina that I put away for safekeeping in a piece of cloth. 13 And he summoned ten of his slaves, gave them ten minas, and said to them, Do business with these until I come back. 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, We do not want this man to be king over us! 15 When he returned after receiving the kingdom, he summoned these slaves to whom he had given the money. God is both, and his plans will not necessarily make sense to our limited perspectives. He made his way up to the bars, and then proceeded to harass this awesome beast. See, you have what is yours. 26 But his master answered, Evil and lazy slave! The third slave is an entirely different matter. Retirement is that period in life when one no longer has the distraction of having to work for a livelihood. 276 Needless to say, bankers and banking were not the same in those days. 277 There are those who would suggest that this slave buried the talent in hopes that the master might never return. The slaves excuse was that his master was a harsh man, and this caused him to be afraid of his master, thus doing nothing with the money entrusted to him. These verses are the opening to what is known as the parable of the talents. Jaye Martin, How to Know Your Life Purpose We take a little money and put it in the plate, and by doing so we are laying up treasure in heaven. I dont deny that this is true, in part, but it is not the whole of it. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. The one who has been faithful on earth with a little thing like money will be given greater work to do in heaven. Matthew 25:14-30 : The Parable of the Talents. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. Luke has an interesting addition at the end, noting that after that, the master then executed the men who tried to keep him from becoming king (Luke 19:27). 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. As Dorothy Sayers put it in her essay Why Work? if we follow God properly, all the work will be Christian work, whether it is Church embroidery or sewage-farming.. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Rich Fool? Download our craft directions below, gather your craft supplies, and watch the example video as you prepare to teach. The joy that was before our Lord would seem to include the salvation of lost sinners (Luke 15:4-10). The third servant was fearful and hid the one talent he was trusted with, returning just one talent to his master. In other words, Luke informs us that Jesus told this parable specifically to correct some misconceptions about the time of His return. 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. 19After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. The fact the master owns the money he gave the servants, and he gets the results of their investments, highlights who is in control. It appears in Matthew 25:14-30, and another version of the parable can be found in Luke 19:11-27. The first presents his master with ten talents. 14 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. We should be careful to recognize that in this parable the mere possession of a talent is not evidence of salvation. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. In the New Testament, the term "talent" meant something very different than it does today. Then he (F)went away. Those who know not the day of their visitation shall have the things that belong to their peace hid from their eyes. In Acts 1:9-11, their understanding is greatly enhanced: NKJV, Ancient-Modern Bible, Comfort Print: One faith. Matthew 25:15. Matthew 25:14. Since help was available to him in the Church, the man had no excuse.

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