Matthew 25:20

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 25:20

And so he that had received five talents ,.... Or the greatest gifts: as this man is the first to whom his Lord gave any talents, and the first that went and traded with them; he is also the first that is reckoned with; who came and brought other five talents : he came freely and cheerfully, with a holy confidence and intrepidity of mind, and gave in his account very readily, both of what he had received, and of what he had gained; saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 25:20

Verse 20 20.And he who had received five talents. Those who employ usefully whatever God has committed to them are said to be engaged in trading The life of the godly, (691) is justly compared to trading, for they ought naturally to exchange and barter with each other, in order to maintain intercourse; and the industry with which every mall discharges the office assigned him, the calling itself, the power of acting properly, and other gifts, are reckoned to be so many kinds of merchandise;... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:20

He that had received [ the ] five talents . The slaves appear in the same order as they had come to receive the deposits. The first comes joyfully, showing boldness in his day of judgment ( 1 John 2:17 ), because he has dealt faithfully and diligently, and prospered in his labours. Thou deliveredst unto me. He rightly acknowledges that all he had came from his lord, and that it was his duty and his pleasure to increase the deposit for his master's benefit. The long delay had not made... read more

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