Matthew 25:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 25:14-30

We have here the parable of the talents committed to three servants; this implies that we are in a state of work and business, as the former implies that we are in a state of expectancy. That showed the necessity of habitual preparation, this of actual diligence in our present work and service. In that we were stirred up to do well for our own souls; in this to lay out ourselves for the glory of God and the good of others. In this parable, 1. The Master is Christ, who is the absolute Owner and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 25:14-30

25:14-30 Even so, a man who was going abroad called his servants, and handed over his belongings to them. To one he gave a thousand pounds; to another five hundred pounds; to another two hundred and fifty pounds; to each according to his individual ability. So he went away. Straightway the man who had received the thousand pounds went and worked with them, and made another thousand pounds. In the same way the man who had received the five hundred pounds made another five hundred pounds of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:15

And unto one he gave five talents ,.... A "talent" with the Jews, if of silver, was, according to Brerewood F23 De Nummis Jud. c. 4. , of the value of 375 l. of our money; according to Bishop Cumberland, 353 l. 11 s. 10 1/2 d.; and if of gold, was equal to 4500l. and, according to the latter, 5075 l. 15 s. 7 1/2 d.: so that five of these talents, if of silver, were 1875 l. and if of gold, 22,500 l. according to Brerewood; a very large sum for one servant to be intrusted with. The... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 25:15

Unto one he gave five talents - to every man according to his several ability - The duties men are called to perform are suited to their situations, and the talents they receive. The good that any man has he has received from God, as also the ability to improve that good. God's graces and temporal mercies are suited to the power which a man has of improving them. To give eminent gifts to persons incapable of properly improving them, would be only to lead into a snare. The talent which each... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 25:15

Verse 15 Matthew 25:15.To every one according to his own ability. By this term Christ does not distinguish between natural gifts and the gifts of the Spirit; for we have neither power nor skill (688) which ought not to be acknowledged as having been received from God; and, therefore, whoever shall determine to give God his share will leave nothing for himself. What then is meant by saying, that the master of the house gives to each person more or less, according to his own ability? It is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:14-30

Parable of the talents. (Peculiar to St. Matthew.) Following on the lesson of watchfulness and inward personal preparation just given, this parable enforces the necessity of external work and man's accountability to God for the due use of the special endowments which he has received. The former was concerned chiefly with the contemplative life, the waiting virgins; this chiefly with the active, the working servant; though, in fact, both states combine more or less in the good Christian, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:14-30

The parable of the talents. I. THE MASTER AND HIS SERVANTS . 1 . The Master ' s departure. This parable is the complement of the last. The two together cover both sides of the Christian life—the contemplative and the active. The burning lamp represents the life of faith and worship kindled by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The trading represents the outward life of active work for Christ. Under all ordinary circumstances the two must be combined. A living faith cannot... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:14-30

The parable of the talents. This parable is naturally associated with that of the ten virgins. In both we have the time for preparation, the crisis of judgment, the differences of conduct, and subsequent results. But this second parable treats of higher responsibilities and graver issues. Here we have a specific trust; the duty is more than watching, it is diligent working; and the rewards and punishments are proportionately greater. We pass from the joys of the kingdom and the possibility... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:14-30

The parable of the talents. There are three parables which illustrate the relation of work and wages in the kingdom of heaven—the labourers in the vineyard, the pounds, and the talents. What this parable chiefly illustrates is that men are rewarded, not solely in proportion to the quantity of work produced, but that their ability and the means at their disposal are taken into account. And in order that this life be a fair field for the test of fidelity, two or three things are requisite, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:14-30

The talents. This, like the preceding parable, refers immediately to the professed followers of Christ. It probably has a special, though certainly not exclusive, application to ministers and those distinguished by office in the Churches. We have to consider— I. THE TALENTS . 1 . These are not the natural faculties. 2 . They are the gifts of grace and providence. (a) the ordinary; (b) the extraordinary. There is a manifestation of the Spirit given to every man... read more

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