Mat 13:12, 25:29, Luk 19:26 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 12. Whosoever hath , etc. This is a proverbial mode of speaking. It means that a man who improves what light, grace, and opportunities he has, shall have them increased. From him that improves them not, it is proper that they should be taken away. The Jews had many opportunities of learning the truth, and some light still lingered among them. But they were gross and sensual, and misimproved them, and it was a just judgment that they should be deprived of them. Superior knowledge was given to the disciples of Christ; they improved it, however slowly, and the promise was that it should be greatly increased. (b) "For whosoever"

Matthew 13:12

Verse 12. Whosoever hath, etc. This is a proverbial mode of speaking. It means that a man who improves what light, grace, and opportunities he has, shall have them increased. From him that improves them not, it is proper that they should be taken away. The Jews had many opportunities of learning the truth, and some light still lingered among them. But they were gross and sensual, and misimproved them, and it was a just judgment that they should be deprived of them. Superior knowledge was given to the disciples of Christ; they improved it, however slowly, and the promise was that it should be greatly increased.

(b) "For whosoever" Mt 25:29, Lk 9:26

Matthew 25:29

Verse 29. For unto every one that hath shall be given. Mt 13:12. This seems to be a proverbial expression. It means, whosoever rightly improves what is committed to him shall receive more, or shall be rewarded; but he that misimproves what is committed to him shall not be rewarded. In pecuniary matters--in the literal sense of this parable--they who improve their money by industry or merchandise, increase it; they who do not--who are indolent or vicious--lose what they did possess, and it goes into the hands of the faithful and industrious. In the spiritual sense of the parable, it means only that they who are faithful shall be rewarded --not, however, that anything shall be taken from the unfaithful and given to them; and that the unfaithful and indolent shall be taken away from their privileges and punished.

(s) "For unto" Mt 13:12, Mk 4:25, Lk 8:18, 19:26 (t) "taken away" Lk 10:42

Luke 19:26

Verses 26,27. For I say, &c. These are the words of the nobleman declaring the principles on which he would distribute the rewards of his kingdom.

But those mine enemies. By the punishment of those who would not that he should reign over them is denoted the ruin that was to come upon the Jewish nation for rejecting the Messiah, and also upon all sinners for not receiving him as their king. See Barnes on the parable of the talents in Mt 25:14 and following.

(r) "That unto everyone that hath" Mt 13:12, 25:29, Mk 4:25, Lk 8:18