Matthew 25:16 kjv
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Matthew 25:16 nkjv
Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
Matthew 25:16 niv
The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.
Matthew 25:16 esv
He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.
Matthew 25:16 nlt
"The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more.
Matthew 25 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 25:21 | "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant... | Reward for faithful stewardship |
| Mt 25:23 | "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant... | Affirmation of diligence and responsibility |
| Mt 25:26-27 | "But his master answered, 'You wicked and lazy servant!... | Contrast with unfaithful, unproductive servant |
| Lk 19:12-27 | Parable of the Minas; "Do business until I come." | Similar theme of productive investment |
| Lk 12:48 | "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required... | Accountability for entrusted resources |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another... | Using spiritual gifts for ministry |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." | Necessity of trustworthiness in stewardship |
| Jn 15:5 | "Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit..." | Producing fruit through divine connection |
| Col 1:10 | "...to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord...bearing fruit in every good work." | Fruitfulness as evidence of worthy walk |
| Php 1:11 | "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ..." | Righteous actions as fruit |
| Gal 5:22-23 | "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience..." | Inward spiritual productivity |
| Prov 10:4 | "A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." | Contrast between laziness and diligence |
| Prov 28:20 | "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished." | Blessings for faithfulness |
| Eccl 9:10 | "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..." | Call to diligent work |
| Rom 12:11 | "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." | Actively serving the Lord |
| Eph 5:16 | "making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." | Redeeming time and opportunities |
| 1 Tim 4:10 | "For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God." | Diligent work for God's glory |
| Heb 6:11-12 | "We want each of you to show the same diligence...that you may not be sluggish." | Perseverance and avoidance of sloth |
| Heb 11:6 | "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek him." | God rewards diligent seekers |
| Mt 7:17-20 | "So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but a diseased tree bears bad fruit..." | Discerning by one's fruit |
| Mt 13:23 | "As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word... bears fruit, yielding a hundredfold..." | Fruitfulness based on receptivity |
| Isa 5:1-7 | Parable of the Vineyard where the Lord expected good grapes but found wild grapes. | God's expectation of fruit from His people |
Matthew 25 verses
Matthew 25 16 Meaning
Matthew 25:16 describes the immediate and proactive response of the servant who received five talents. Upon receiving a significant entrusted sum from his master, he promptly invested and diligently worked with it, resulting in the successful doubling of the original amount. This verse highlights diligence, responsibility, and effective stewardship in preparation for the master's return within the broader parable of the talents.
Matthew 25 16 Context
Matthew 25:16 is part of the Parable of the Talents, found within Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25). This discourse immediately follows the disciples' questions about the end of the age and Christ's return (Mt 24:3). Jesus uses a series of parables (like the Ten Virgins and the Sheep and the Goats) to illustrate the importance of vigilance, readiness, and responsible living during the master's absence. The Parable of the Talents specifically emphasizes active and productive stewardship of the resources, abilities, and opportunities God entrusts to His servants, rather than merely preserving them, as they await His ultimate return and accounting. Historically, a "talent" (Greek: talanton) was an extremely large unit of monetary weight (about 6,000 denarii, equivalent to 16-20 years' wages for a laborer), signifying a significant entrustment.
Matthew 25 16 Word analysis
- He: Refers to the servant (slave) who had just received the five talents from the master (Mt 25:15). This servant is depicted as an immediate and willing actor, demonstrating initiative.
- who had received (_ho labōn_): Greek: ὁ λαβὼν. This participle emphasizes the initial act of entrustment by the master. It highlights that the talents were not earned but graciously given, placing the onus of responsibility on the recipient.
- the five talents (_pente talanta_): Greek: πέντε τάλαντα. A talent (talanton) was a substantial sum, typically about 6,000 denarii. The specific number 'five' emphasizes the significant entrustment this particular servant received, setting the stage for proportional expectation.
- went (_aperchomai_): Greek: ἀπέρχομαι. Signifies his physical departure. The verb choice, often in contrast to the inaction of the third servant, implies initiative and movement toward a purpose.
- at once (Implicit / _euthys_): While some ancient manuscripts and modern translations (e.g., NASB, ESV) include "immediately" (εὐθύς), other prominent manuscripts (e.g., Vaticanus) do not have this explicit word in Mt 25:16. However, the interpretation of prompt action is strongly inferred by the contrast with the third servant's delay and burying of the talent. It suggests swiftness in embracing responsibility.
- traded with them (_energasato_ or _ērgasto_ / _ergazomai_): Greek: ἠργάσατο (from ἐργάζομαι). Means "to work, to do business, to engage in an enterprise." This signifies active, diligent effort and commercial engagement, implying wise investment and risk-taking rather than idleness or preservation.
- and gained (_ekerdēsen_ / _kerdaino_): Greek: ἐκέρδησεν (from κερδαίνω). Means "to gain, to profit, to acquire." This is the positive outcome of his diligent labor, indicating successful stewardship and a measurable increase of the entrusted resources.
- five more (_alla pente_): Greek: ἄλλα πέντε. Specifies an exact doubling of the initial five, demonstrating remarkable fruitfulness and complete return on investment. This doubling is significant because it represents full realization of the potential within the entrusted amount.
- He... went at once and traded with them: This phrase illustrates proactive, decisive action. The servant didn't delay, hesitate, or rationalize; he took the initiative to engage with what was given. This stands in stark contrast to the third servant who 'went and dug in the ground' (Mt 25:18). It's a key example of the diligence expected by the master.
- traded with them and gained five more: This segment highlights the direct cause-and-effect between diligent effort ("traded") and fruitful outcome ("gained"). It speaks to the concept that stewardship is not just about holding onto gifts, but actively using them for expansion and increase. The result of doubling suggests complete and effective use of the entrusted amount.
Matthew 25 16 Bonus section
The act of "trading" or doing business implied a willingness to take risks and apply oneself in a practical manner. This is not a parable about simple safekeeping but about dynamic utilization. The commendation later in the parable is for productive fidelity, not for avoidance of loss. The differing amounts given to each servant (five, two, one talent) underscore divine sovereignty in gift distribution, but the expectation for fruitful return is universal and proportional to what was given. This serves as an indirect polemic against any belief system that promotes passivity or spiritual idleness, advocating instead for an active, engaged Christian life focused on making the most of every God-given opportunity until Christ's return.
Matthew 25 16 Commentary
Matthew 25:16 paints a picture of faithful and immediate obedience. The first servant, entrusted with a substantial sum (five talents), does not hesitate. His "going at once" and "trading" underscore his diligent and proactive engagement with the master's resources. This is not passive preservation but active multiplication, reflecting an understanding that entrusted gifts and opportunities are meant for growth and kingdom advancement. This servant understood that faith is active, not passive, and that the expectation of the master's return calls for industriousness in the present. He models effective stewardship, where talent, ability, and opportunity are leveraged to yield a profit for the One who entrusted them. This fruitfulness stems from diligent work, reflecting commitment and an eagerness to please the master upon his return.