Matthew 25:18-29

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 25:18

But he that received one ,.... Talent, or the least degree of gifts, for the ministry of the word: went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord's money . The Syriac and Arabic versions read, "silver", and the Ethiopic, "gold"; but whether these talents were silver or gold, is not certain. Where he buried it; that is, he neglected the gift that was in him, he made no use of it, either to his own advantage, or to the good of others, and the interest of his Lord; he either never went into... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:19

After a long time, the Lord of these servants cometh ,.... Either in a providential way, by a fit of illness, or in a time of persecution, and awakens the conscience, and calls them to give an account of their stewardship; or by death, when their trading or working time is over, and they become accountable for their whole conduct, throughout their ministrations; or rather, at the last judgment, when all must appear before the judge of quick and dead, ministers as well as others, and give an... 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 Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:21

His Lord said unto him, well done ,.... Gospel ministers do not say so to themselves; they know they can do nothing well of themselves, and when they have done all they can, they own they are but unprofitable servants; they acknowledge all they do is owing to the grace of God, and strength of Christ, and that no praise is due to them; nor do they expect or seek for such eulogies from men: but this is said, to show how acceptable a diligent laborious ministry is to Christ, and to encourage... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:22

He also that had received two talents ,.... A lesser degree of ministerial gifts; and who as he received next to the other, and was the next, who in proportion to what he had received, had traded and gained, he is mentioned in the next: place, as giving in his account; who came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents, behold I have gained two other talents besides them : his account, abating the sum and gains, is given in, in the same form as the other. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:23

His Lord said unto him ,.... The same words as he did to the other servant, well done 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 : where the same commendation is made, and the same characters are given, as before; for a man that has lesser gifts, and is of less usefulness, may be as good and as faithful in his service, and as praise worthy, as a man of greater gifts, and more extensive... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:24

Then he which had received the one talent came ,.... For he that has the least gifts, is accountable for them; and therefore ought to make use of them to the good of his fellow creatures, and the interest of his Lord and Master; though these often lie neglected, and frivolous, and even wicked pretences are formed to excuse such neglect, as here: and said, Lord, I knew that thou art an hard man ; he calls him "Lord", though he had not served him, and pretends he knew him; but if he had,... read more

John Gill

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

And I was afraid ,.... The Persic version adds, "to negotiate with thy money": he was afraid, lest by trading he should not gain what his Lord expected; and most of all, lest he should lose the talent itself; and dreaded his Lord's austerity, should that be the case, fearing that he would have no mercy on him. This was his pretence; but the true causes were sloth and earthly mindedness: and went and hid thy talent in the earth ; that it might not be lost, though it lay useless, and... read more

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