Hello David, I am responding to your comment, “I want to understand more.”

I assume by that comment, you meant you want to understand more pertaining to Matthew 25:14, but I suppose I’ll just highlight the entire parable of the talents here.

Well, If you observe the context of the passage, it is still part of the “Olivet Discourse”, that Jesus began in chapter 24 of Matthew.

Verse 14 reads,

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.”

The fact that verse 14 begins with “for”, indicates that this parable is in relation to the previous verse.

This parable, in view of the context, is referring mainly to the judgment of
Jews at the end of the Tribulation, but the parable is still somewhat applicable unto us.

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man…” Here, the “man” is probably alluding to the LORD Jesus Christ, but just for your edification, I’ll have you know that Christ was not just a man, as Jehovah’s Witnesses would have you believe, the Lord Jesus is Almighty God. Who says so? The Word of God says so (Isa 43:11; Heb 1:8-10; John 1:1-3; Rev 1:8; 1 John 5:7; John 8:58; 1 Tim 3:16; Acts 20:28; John 20:28; Col 2:9).

“… travelling into a far country,…” Here, the “far country” alludes to heaven, the abode of God.

“…who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.”
In the parable, the man taking the journey, turned over his money to three of his servants. They understood that they could share in the profits if they wisely managed what they had received.

verse 15 reads,

“And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey”

Now, a “talent” in the Apostles’ time, was a unit of exchange, or money.
This master had entrusted to the servants his resources, according to his evaluation of the ability of each servant.
“Talent” should probably be understood as all that God has entrusted to His disciples, which ought to be used for His glory.

Verse 16-17 reads,

“Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents.
And likewise he that [had received] two, he also gained other two.”

The servants who received 5 talents and 3 talents began to apply their money for their master, and they were successful.
These servants were productive with the things of their master, and even rendered an increase.
They used the things that their master entrusted to them wisely, and thus proved faithful.
The point is that faithful servants of God during the Tribulation (Daniel’s 70th week), will utilize effectively, the opportunities given unto them, and will serve God effectively during the Tribulation.

Verse 18 reads,

“But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.”

The servant who received 1 talent, did nothing with his opportunities, he squandered them completely.

Verse 19 reads,

“After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.”

The “long time” that passes is probably an allusion to the time betwwen Christ’s ascension and 2nd coming.
Though the main emphasis seems to be on the servants during the Tribulation, it is applicable to us as well.

“…and reckoneth with them”, means that they most give an account of what has been done.

Verse 20-23 reads,

“And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] 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.
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
His lord said unto him, 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.”

The first and second servant were commended by their master and also received increased responsibility and joy with their master.
Their increased responsibility is a reference to their position in the coming messianic kingdom.
Remember, all are saved by GRACE ALONE, through FAITH ALONE, in CHRIST ALONE, but position in the kingdom is determined by one’s faithfulness to the Lord.
Salvation is WITHOUT WORKS, but faithfulness to God has an impact on your position in the kingdom of heaven, i.e., the messianic kingdom or the Millennial reign of Christ.

Verse 24-28 reads,

“Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine.
His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents.”

“…I knew thee that thou art an hard man…”,

means that the unfaithful servant perceived his master to be one very difficult of being pleased, one who would unjustly withhold from them what was due unto them, and rigorously exacting service that could not be performed by them, of course, this is the very opposite of Christ’s character, whom the “man” represents, notwithstanding, this is the view the unfaithful servant had of his master.

Instead of commending the unfaithful servant as he commended the 2 faithful servants, he severely condemned him.
If the master really was “hard”, the servant should have exercised discretion as to know that he would find himself in trouble if he failed to do as his master desired, and thus proved unfaithful.

“Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.”

The servant should have put his master’s money in a savings account, so that at least it would have earned interest.

“Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents.”

Instead of receiving increased responsibility and joy that the 2 previous servants received, he lost the talent that was entrusted to him, and he was banished from the presence of his master.

verse 29 reads,

“For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”

This saying can also be found in Matthew 13:12.
It means that whosoever has faith in the Son of God, even Christ Jesus, who is Almighty God, because of his acceptance of the basic revelation of the Gospel of the everlasting God, shall be blessed with the ability to achieve greater understanding of further revelation, and the blessings which result from that, but whosoever has NOT faith in the blessed Son of God, because of his rejection of the basic revelation of the Gospel of the everlasting God, shall have no further revelation given to him, as his understanding would be drastically limited, therefore he would be unable to comprehend greater revelation, and he would lose the opportunity, of serving his master any further, and lose the opportunity or privilege of becoming a participant in the messianic kingdom.

Verse 30 reads,

“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The term “weeping and gnashing” refers to the final condition of unbelievers (Matthew 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51),i.e., the lake of fire (Greek[Gehenna]).
In view of the punishment, the unfaithful servant must have been an UNBELIEVER.
No believer will be cast into the lake of fire, and no believer can lose his salvation either.

Commentary by Darien
Posted on: 12/31/2009 04:42 am

I want to understand more.

Commentary by david koomson
Posted on: 12/30/2009 23:02 pm