Mat 25:14-29 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 14. For the kingdom of heaven , etc. This parable of the talents was spoken still farther to illustrate the manner in which he would deal with men at his return to judgment, The words, the kingdom of heaven , are not in the original, but are very properly inserted by the translators. The design of the parable is to teach that those who improve their talents or faculties in the cause of religion-- who improve them to their own salvation, and in doing good to others --shall be proportionally rewarded. But they who neglect their talents, and neither secure their own salvation nor do good to others, will be punished. The kingdom of heaven is like such a man; that is, God deals with men, in his government, as such a man did. His own servants . That is, such of them as he judged worthy [of] such a trust. These represent the apostles, Christian ministers, professing Christians, and perhaps all men. The going into a far country may represent the Lord Jesus going into heaven. He has given to all talents to improve, . His goods . His property-representing the offices, abilities, and opportunities for doing good, which he has given to his professed followers. (i) "For the kingdom of heaven"

Matthew 25:14-29

Verse 14. For the kingdom of heaven, etc. This parable of the talents was spoken still farther to illustrate the manner in which he would deal with men at his return to judgment, The words, the kingdom of heaven, are not in the original, but are very properly inserted by the translators. The design of the parable is to teach that those who improve their talents or faculties in the cause of religion-- who improve them to their own salvation, and in doing good to others --shall be proportionally rewarded. But they who neglect their talents, and neither secure their own salvation nor do good to others, will be punished. The kingdom of heaven is like such a man; that is, God deals with men, in his government, as such a man did.

His own servants. That is, such of them as he judged worthy [of] such a trust. These represent the apostles, Christian ministers, professing Christians, and perhaps all men. The going into a far country may represent the Lord Jesus going into heaven. He has given to all talents to improve, Eph 4:8.

His goods. His property-representing the offices, abilities, and opportunities for doing good, which he has given to his professed followers.

(i) "For the kingdom of heaven" Lk 19:12 Verse 15. Five talents. Mt 18:24. A talent of silver was worth about 1519 dollars, 23 cents, [or �342 3s. 9d.] It here denotes the highest abilities given to men; perhaps the highest offices in the church, and the greatest opportunity of doing good.

According to his several ability. According to the ability of each one. According as he saw each one was adapted to improve it. So in the church and the world. God gives men stations which he judges them adapted to fill, and requires them to fill them. So he makes distinctions among men in regard to abilities, and in the powers and opportunities of usefulness; requiring them only to occupy those stations, and discharge their duties there, 1Cor 4:7.

(1) "talent" "A talent is 187l 10s." Mt 18:24 (k) "ability" Rom 12:6, 1Cor 12:4, Ep 4:11 Verses 16,17. The two who had received most employed their money in trade, and by honest industry doubled it before their master returned; representing the conduct of those who make a good improvement of their abilities, and employ them in doing good. Verse 17. Mt 25:16 Verse 18. Digged in the earth, etc. This represents the conduct of those who neglect the abilities that God has given, and fail to do what he has required. This is done often:

1st. On the plea that they do not occupy a high station.

2nd. That they have slender abilities, and can do little good.

3rd. As it was in this case, that God had not given them as much, as he did others, and they will therefore do nothing. These pleas are without foundation; for, first, God does not require us to do as much as those who have greater abilities; but this is not a reason why we should do nothing, 2Cor 8:12. Second. That situation is honourable, and may be useful, where God has placed us; and though humble, yet in that we may do much good, 1Cor 12:11-31. Third. Men of slender abilities may often do more good in the world than men of much greater talents. It is rather a warm heart than a strong head which is required to do good. A humble Christian, by his life, example, and conversation, may often do much more good than is done by those in more elevated stations, and with far greater gifts.

We are not to suppose by this, however, that our Saviour meant to teach that only those of feeble talents neglected their duty. The parable does not require us to do this; and the fact is, perhaps, that those most highly endowed are the farthest from properly improving their talents. Verse 19. After a long time, etc. By the return of the lord of those servants to reckon with them, is denoted the return of Christ to call men to an account for the manner in which they have improved their talents. See Rom 14:12, 2Cor 5:10, 1Thes 4:16, Acts 1:11, 17:31

Reckoneth with them. To reckon is to settle accounts. Here it means to inquire into their faithfulness, and to reward or punish them accordingly.

(l) "long time" Mt 24:48 (m) "reckoneth" Mt 18:23,24 Verse 20. I have gained. Gained by trading, Mt 25:16. By honest industry. Verse 21. Ruler over many things. I will promote thee to greater honours and more important trusts.

Joy of thy lord. In the mean time, share the pleasures and enjoyments of his palace; be his companion; and receive the rewards which he has promised thee. The joy of his lord may mean either the festivals and rejoicing at his return, or the rewards which his lord had prepared for his faithful servants. Applied to Christians, it means that they who rightly improve their talents shall, at the return of Christ, be promoted to great honours in heaven, and be partakers of the joys of their Lord in the world of glory. See Mt 25:34, 1Jn 2:28.

(n) "ruler" Lk 12:44, 22:29, Rev 3:21 Verse 24. The one talent. The design of this part of the parable is to show that no one is excused in indolence because he has few talents. God will require of him only according to his ability, 1Cor 4:2; Lk 12:48, 2Cor 8:12.

An hard man. Of a sordid, griping disposition; taking advantage of the poor, and oppressing them.

Reaping, etc. This is indicative of an avaricious and overbearing disposition. Compelling the poor to sow for him, and reaping all the benefit himself.

Hast not strawed. The word strew means to scatter--as men scatter seed in sowing it. It may mean also to ventilate, or to fan by ventilating, or winnowing. As sowing the seed is mentioned just before, it may be that this refers to gathering grain fanned or winnowed by others, while he did nothing--indicating also a hard or sordid disposition.

(o) "hard man" Job 21:15 (p) "sown" Jer 2:31 Verse 25. I was afraid. I feared, lest by some accident thy talent would be lost if I put it out to trade, and that I should be severely punished by a hard master. I therefore kept it laid up safely, and hid it where it could not be lost.

That is thine. There is what properly belongs to thee. There is the original talent that thou gavest me, and that is all that can be reasonably required. Observe here,

(1.) that this expresses exactly the feelings of all sinners. God, in their view, is hard, cruel, unjust.

(2.) All the excuses of sinners are excuses for indolence and sin, and to cheat themselves out of heaven. The effect of this excuse was to lose the reward; so of the excuses of sinners for not doing their duty.

(3.) Sinners grudge everything to God. They are never willing to be liberal towards him, but are stinted and close; and if they give, they do it with hard feelings, and say that that is all he can claim.

(q) "afraid" @Pr 26:13 Re 21:8 Verse 26. Slothful. Indolent, lazy, who had done nothing. God will judge men, not merely for doing wrong, but for not doing right. See Mt 25:45. That servant was wicked, because he had such an opinion of his master; he had shown that he was slothful, by not making good use of the talent, Mt 25:27.

Thou knewest, etc. This should be understood, and might have been translated, as a question. If you knew he was such a man, you ought to have acted accordingly, so as to have escaped punishment. "Didst thou know that I reap, etc? Then thou shouldst have given my money to the exchangers," etc. This is not intended to admit that he was such a man, but to convict the slothful servant of guilt and folly in not having been prepared to meet him.

(r) "wicked and slothful" Job 15:5,6, Mt 18:32, Lk 19:22, Jude 1:15 Verse 27. The exchangers. The exchangers were persons who were in the habit of borrowing money, Or receiving it on deposit at a low rate of interest, to be loaned to others at higher interest. They commonly sat by tables in the temple, with money ready to exchange or loan. See Mt 21:12. This money was left with the servant, not to exchange, nor to increase it by any such idle means, but by honest industry and merchandise; but since he was too indolent for that, he ought at least to have loaned it to the exchangers, that his master might have received some benefit from it.

With usury. With interest, increase, or gain. The word usury, in our language, has a bad signification, meaning unlawful or exorbitant interest. This was contrary to the law, Ex 22:25, Lev 25:36. The original means gain, increase, or lawful interest. 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