Matthew 25:20 kjv
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.
Matthew 25:20 nkjv
"So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.'
Matthew 25:20 niv
The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.'
Matthew 25:20 esv
And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.'
Matthew 25:20 nlt
The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, 'Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.'
Matthew 25 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 12:48 | ...from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked. | High expectation for stewardship. |
| 1 Cor 4:2 | Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. | Essential quality of a steward. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. | Gifts for mutual service. |
| Prov 28:20 | A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. | Faithfulness brings blessing. |
| Mt 25:21 | His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ | Master's commendation and reward. |
| Lk 19:16 | The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ | Parallel parable of the Minas/Pounds. |
| Jn 15:8 | By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and prove to be my disciples. | Glorifying God through fruitfulness. |
| Col 1:10 | ...so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work... | Life worthy of God, bearing fruit. |
| Phil 1:22 | If I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. | Paul's desire for productive labor. |
| Rom 7:4 | ...so that we may bear fruit for God. | Purpose of our spiritual union. |
| Ps 1:3 | He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season... | Righteousness yields fruit. |
| Rom 14:12 | So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. | Personal accountability to God. |
| Heb 4:13 | And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. | God's all-seeing knowledge. |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. | Judgment seat of Christ. |
| Lk 16:2 | He called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ | Accountability for stewardship. |
| Eph 4:7 | But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. | Grace gifts for each person. |
| 1 Cor 12:7 | To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. | Gifts for collective benefit. |
| Rom 12:6 | Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; | Diversity of gifts and usage. |
| Rev 2:10 | ...Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. | Crown for enduring faithfulness. |
| Lk 16:10 | “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." | Faithfulness in small things. |
Matthew 25 verses
Matthew 25 20 Meaning
This verse details the faithful steward's immediate and joyful accounting to his master. It describes the first servant, entrusted with five talents, promptly presenting to his master the original sum along with an additional five talents that he had diligently earned through his labor. It illustrates the principle of fruitful stewardship and responsible management of what has been given, setting the stage for the master's commendation.
Matthew 25 20 Context
Matthew 25:20 is situated within the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-30), which is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Mt 24-25). This discourse provides essential teaching regarding the end times, the Kingdom of Heaven, and the imperative for disciples to live in readiness and faithfulness for the master's (Jesus') unexpected return. Preceding this parable is the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Mt 25:1-13), which emphasizes watchfulness. Following it is the description of the final judgment as the separation of the sheep and the goats (Mt 25:31-46), underscoring righteous action and compassion. Historically, a "talent" (Gk. talanton) represented an enormous sum of money—roughly fifteen to twenty years' wages for a common laborer—underscoring the immense value of what God entrusts to individuals. The parable serves as a direct challenge against spiritual passivity and idleness, promoting active stewardship of divine gifts and opportunities until the Lord's return.
Matthew 25 20 Word analysis
- And he who had received: The Greek phrase is "καὶ προσελθὼν ὁ τὰ πέντε τάλαντα λαβὼν" (kai proselthōn ho ta pente talanta labōn). "προσελθὼν" (proselthōn), "came forward/approached," implies initiative and readiness, signifying the servant's eagerness to give an account. The use of the participle "λαβὼν" (labōn), "having received," identifies this servant immediately by his initial entrustment.
- the five talents: Greek "τὰ πέντε τάλαντα" (ta pente talanta). A "talent" was the largest unit of monetary value in the ancient world, approximately 6,000 denarii (a denarius was a day's wage). This emphasizes the immense resources, gifts, abilities, and opportunities God grants, underscoring that His entrustment is always substantial.
- came forward, bringing: "προσήνεγκεν" (prosēnenken). This word, meaning "he brought to" or "presented," reinforces the servant's proactive and open report. It signifies the direct and transparent accountability due to the master.
- five talents more: Greek "ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα" (alla pente talanta). The word "ἄλλα" (alla) means "other" or "additional," clearly indicating a surplus, not merely the return of the original amount. This signifies fruitful growth and diligent productivity, a doubling of the master's investment.
- saying, ‘Master,: Greek "λέγων, Κύριε" (legōn, Kyrie). "Κύριε" (Kyrie) is the address, meaning "Lord" or "Master." This respectful address acknowledges the absolute authority and ownership of the one who entrusted the talents. It shows recognition of his position as a servant under authority, devoid of pride.
- you delivered to me five talents: Greek "πέντε τάλαντά μοι παρέδωκας" (pente talanta moi paredōkas). "παρέδωκας" (paredōkas) means "you handed over" or "you entrusted." This highlights the master's prior act of generosity and trust, clarifying that the initial capital was entirely from the master, not the servant's own. It establishes the master's full ownership.
- here I have made five talents more.’: Greek "ἴδε ἄλλα πέντε τάλαντα ἐκέρδησα" (ide alla pente talanta ekérdēsa). "ἴδε" (ide), meaning "behold" or "look," draws the master's attention to the evidence of his labor. "ἐκέρδησα" (ekérdēsa) means "I gained" or "I profited." This verb denotes active effort leading to profitable acquisition. The doubling clearly states the outcome of diligent work, demonstrating faithful and productive management of the entrusted resources.
- He who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more: This entire phrase describes the immediate, willing, and fruitful response of the faithful steward. His approach signifies readiness, and the doubled amount indicates profitable activity and diligence in managing what was entrusted. This contrasts sharply with the third servant who was paralyzed by fear.
- ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’: This confession reveals humility and responsibility. The servant acknowledges the source of the capital ("you delivered") and proudly reports his effort and success ("I have made"). This formula articulates accountability and demonstrates the faithful servant's understanding that the entrusted resources were for the master's benefit, not his own gain in an absolute sense.
Matthew 25 20 Bonus section
The doubling of the talents (from five to ten, or two to four) within the parable suggests that faithful stewardship is expected to yield significant and tangible returns. It implies a principle of increase and multiplication inherent in divine entrustment, rather than mere maintenance or passive preservation. The servant's joy in reporting the gain suggests alignment with the master's desires, indicating a heart committed to the master's interests. The very significant monetary value of a "talent" indicates that God's entrustments are not trivial but profoundly valuable opportunities for eternal impact. This serves as a warning against spiritual apathy, urging believers to discern and actively utilize their unique gifts to bear fruit for their returning Lord.
Matthew 25 20 Commentary
Matthew 25:20 presents the essence of faithful stewardship: an enthusiastic and transparent accounting of significant entrusted resources, culminating in substantial gain. The servant's prompt return and joyful report of doubling the initial capital underscore his diligence, ingenuity, and understanding of his master's expectations. This act symbolizes believers using their God-given gifts—whether spiritual talents, natural abilities, time, or material resources—productively for the Kingdom. It's not just about preserving what's given, but actively investing and expanding it, acknowledging that all truly belongs to the Master. The doubling signifies spiritual fruitfulness, growth in service, and expansion of God's work, not merely holding onto belief but demonstrating it through fruitful action.
Examples for practical usage:
- A person with a gift for teaching dedicates time to mentor others, multiplying knowledge and faith.
- Someone with financial resources invests them responsibly, with a portion devoted to supporting ministries or aiding those in need.
- A Christian with administrative skills volunteers to organize church events, bringing order and efficiency, which enhances the effectiveness of ministries.