Matthew 25 17

Matthew 25:17 kjv

And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

Matthew 25:17 nkjv

And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.

Matthew 25:17 niv

So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.

Matthew 25:17 esv

So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.

Matthew 25:17 nlt

The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.

Matthew 25 verses

Matthew 25 17 Meaning

Matthew 25:17 describes the second servant in the Parable of the Talents. Having been entrusted with two talents, this servant diligently engaged in work and trade, resulting in the successful doubling of the initial amount. The verse highlights the servant's faithfulness and industry, producing a profit proportionate to the original investment, mirroring the actions of the servant who received five talents.

Matthew 25 17 Context

Matthew 25:17 is part of Jesus' teaching known as the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30). This parable is one of three consecutive parables found within Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Mt 24-25), delivered shortly before His crucifixion. The discourse addresses the signs of the end of the age, the Second Coming, and the final judgment.

The Parable of the Talents specifically follows the Parable of the Ten Virgins and precedes the description of the Sheep and the Goats judgment. Its purpose is to emphasize the importance of preparedness, faithfulness, and productive stewardship during the "absence" of the master, which symbolizes Christ's ascension and waiting period before His return. It highlights that the expectation is not merely to "keep" what one has, but to actively "invest" and "multiply" the gifts, resources, and opportunities God has entrusted, proportionate to one's individual capacity. This verse shows the positive example of a diligent servant.

Historically, "talents" referred to a significant unit of weight and currency in the ancient world (equal to many years' wages for a laborer), emphasizing the magnitude of what was entrusted. The parable challenged the original Jewish audience to reflect on their use of the blessings and responsibilities given to them by God in anticipation of the Messiah's kingdom.

Matthew 25 17 Word analysis

• And likewise (Greek: ὁμοίως - homoios):

  • Word-level: Indicates similarity or "in the same manner."
  • Significance: Connects the action of the second servant directly to the first servant (Mt 25:16) who also made a 100% gain. It establishes a pattern of expected faithful behavior and highlights that diligence is equally commended regardless of the quantity received. The master's expectation for profitability is universal for all stewards.

• he who had received (Greek: ὁ τὰ δύο [ἔχων] - ho ta dyo [echon], lit. "the one the two [having]"):

  • Word-level: Identifies the specific servant based on the initial endowment. The verb "had received" (perfect participle in v.15, implied here) points to the completed act of being given the talents.
  • Significance: Reinforces that responsibility is based on what was given by the master, not what the servant acquired themselves. Each servant's accountability is proportional to the gift.

• two (Greek: δύο - dyo):

  • Word-level: The specific number of talents entrusted.
  • Significance: This servant was given a lesser amount than the first (five talents) but still a very substantial sum. This indicates that God dispenses opportunities and abilities according to each person's capacity, and faithfulness is measured not by the absolute amount but by the diligent and proportionate return on what was received.

• gained (Greek: ἐκέρδησεν - ekerdesen):

  • Word-level: From kerdainō, meaning "to gain," "to make a profit," "to acquire by effort or trade." It's an aorist verb, indicating a completed action of achieving profit.
  • Significance: Implies active, diligent, and purposeful engagement in a venture or business. This was not a passive "holding" but an active "trading" or "investing" of the resources. It speaks of productivity, risk, and successful execution of the master's unspoken desire for growth. This servant was not idle.

• two more (Greek: δύο ἄλλα - dyo alla):

  • Word-level: Specifies the exact amount of profit earned, bringing the total to four talents.
  • Significance: Denotes a 100% return on the investment, mirroring the faithfulness of the first servant (who gained five more from five). The success here is quantitative and clearly measurable. It signifies the full utilization of the initial endowment and meeting the master's unstated expectation of profitability, which applies universally regardless of the original sum.

Words-group Analysis:

• And likewise he who had received two: This phrase immediately sets up a comparison with the first servant. It underscores the consistent principle that whether one received much or less, the expectation was to put it to productive use. The "likewise" removes any excuse for lesser effort based on the quantity received; the proportionate effort and outcome are the focus.
• gained two more: This concise statement emphasizes the active effort and the successful, proportional outcome. It shows that the second servant was equally as diligent and productive in their stewardship as the first. The gain wasn't accidental but the fruit of deliberate action and skillful management, resulting in a doubling of the original entrusted amount.

Matthew 25 17 Bonus section

The parable is not advocating for unchecked material accumulation, but uses a familiar economic scenario to illustrate a deeper spiritual principle. The "talents" primarily symbolize the spiritual opportunities, gifts, and responsibilities that God entrusts to His followers (1 Pet 4:10, Rom 12:6-8). These can include gifts of prophecy, teaching, service, administration, wealth, influence, time, and the very Gospel message itself. The central theme is one of faithful stewardship, anticipating a day of accounting when Christ returns (Rom 14:12; 2 Cor 5:10). The varying amounts given to the servants (five, two, one) highlight that God's distribution is not uniform but is given "according to his ability" (Mt 25:15). This means individuals are judged on how they multiply what they have been given, not by comparison to others. The successful actions of the first two servants demonstrate an eager and productive partnership with the master's interests.

Matthew 25 17 Commentary

Matthew 25:17 succinctly conveys the positive action of the second servant in the Parable of the Talents. It is not enough merely to receive; what matters is how one uses what has been entrusted. This servant, like the first, actively invested their resources, reflecting an understanding of the master's desire for profit and growth. The "gained two more" signifies not just a quantitative increase but a qualitative display of diligence, faithfulness, and wise stewardship. It confirms that the master's judgment is based on the proportionate return according to what was given, rather than on the absolute amount accumulated. This applies to spiritual gifts, financial resources, time, abilities, and opportunities entrusted to believers. Every follower of Christ is expected to "trade" with what they have been given, working diligently for the Lord's kingdom while awaiting His return, demonstrating a proactive engagement rather than a passive reservation. The reward for faithfulness is assured, irrespective of the scale of the initial endowment.