Matthew 25 21

Matthew 25:21 kjv

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.

Matthew 25:21 nkjv

His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

Matthew 25:21 niv

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Matthew 25:21 esv

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.'

Matthew 25:21 nlt

"The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together! '

Matthew 25 verses

Matthew 25 21 Meaning

This verse proclaims the ultimate divine commendation and reward for a faithful believer. It expresses the Master's profound approval ("Well done, good and faithful servant") for consistent and trustworthy stewardship of entrusted responsibilities. The principle articulated is that faithfulness in small, earthly matters ("a few things") leads to elevated roles and greater honor in the coming Kingdom ("ruler over many things"). The culmination of this reward is an invitation to intimately share in the profound, complete joy of the Master, signifying ultimate communion and blessedness in God's presence.

Matthew 25 21 Context

Matthew 25:21 is a pivotal verse within the Parable of the Talents (Mat 25:14-30), which is part of Jesus' broader Olivet Discourse (Mat 24-25). In this discourse, Jesus instructs His disciples about the signs of the end of the age and His second coming. The Parable of the Talents illustrates the expectation for His followers during His absence. It portrays a master entrusting varying amounts of money (talents) to his servants before departing. The parable emphasizes wise stewardship, readiness, and active obedience. This specific verse (21) marks the Master's commendation to the first servant who diligently used and multiplied the entrusted resources. The historical context reflects a time when Roman households often employed servants who managed their estates, and it speaks to the ultimate accountability all believers will face before Christ upon His return, concerning how they have managed the resources (gifts, time, opportunities, material possessions) entrusted to them. It teaches that our present conduct matters eternally.

Matthew 25 21 Word analysis

• His lord (Κύριος - Kyrios): Denotes absolute ownership and authority. In the parable, the master represents Jesus Christ, emphasizing His divine Lordship and the inherent right to demand accounting from His servants.
• said to him: Implies a personal, direct, and explicit affirmation from the Master to the individual servant, signifying recognition of personal faithfulness.
• Well done (Εὖ - Eu): A simple yet powerful adverb meaning "well" or "good." It signifies complete satisfaction and hearty approval of the servant's actions—not merely adequate, but excellent.
• good (ἀγαθὲ - agathe): Referring to inner character, describing someone who is morally excellent, benevolent, and inherently upright. This indicates that the servant’s actions stemmed from a genuinely good heart aligned with the Master’s will.
• and faithful (καὶ πιστὲ - kai piste): Refers to reliability, trustworthiness, and loyalty. This is the paramount quality praised; the servant consistently demonstrated fidelity and dependability in executing the Master's trust, not merely efficiency or successful outcome, but unwavering commitment.
• servant (δούλε - doule): Specifically, a bond-servant or slave. This term highlights absolute dedication and belonging to the Master, serving His will without reservation. It contrasts with a hired hand, implying a relationship of deep commitment and dependence.
• you have been faithful over a few things (ἐπὶ ὀλίγα ἦς πιστός - epi oliga ēis pistos): Emphasizes that faithfulness is the key, irrespective of the amount. The "few things" denote the limited responsibilities and resources entrusted to us in our finite earthly lives, contrasted with the vastness of the Lord's future Kingdom. God values the quality of faithfulness in managing what He gives, no matter how small it may seem.
• I will make you ruler over many things (ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω - epi pollōn se katastēsō): This signifies promotion and increased responsibility in the eschatological Kingdom. The reward for faithfulness is not idleness but greater service, authority, and participation in the Master's future reign and work, underscoring the principle of divine increase.
• Enter (Εἴσελθε - Eiselthe): An imperative, a direct invitation, welcoming the servant into an experience that goes beyond mere external reward.
• into the joy (εἰς τὴν χαρὰν - eis tēn charan): This is the ultimate, climactic reward. It's not just "happiness," but a participation in the Master's own eschatological joy. This refers to the consummate delight the Master feels in the completion of His redemptive work and the full establishment of His Kingdom.
• of your lord (τοῦ κυρίου σου - tou Kyriou sou): Reiterates that the joy is intrinsically linked to and shared with the Master Himself, signifying deep communal fellowship, triumph, and satisfaction in the divine presence.

• "Well done, good and faithful servant": This commendation perfectly encapsulates divine approval of character (good) manifested through diligent action (faithful), forming the foundation for all further blessings. It signifies complete acceptance and profound pleasure from the Lord.
• "you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things": This foundational principle demonstrates divine proportionality. God grants greater responsibility and glory in the future based on proven faithfulness with limited opportunities and resources in the present. It illustrates an escalating scale of eternal blessedness.
• "Enter into the joy of your lord": This is the ultimate fulfillment. It's an invitation to a shared victory and triumph with the Master, where believers partake in His eternal satisfaction and the celebratory completion of His redemptive purposes. This transcends earthly rewards and points to deep, intimate, and communal delight in the Kingdom.

Matthew 25 21 Bonus section

The promise of "entering into the joy of your lord" is not merely about receiving happiness from the Lord, but partaking in His very joy, a shared experience of His finished work and glorious reign. This points to the believer's full assimilation into Christ's triumph and purpose, moving beyond simple individual happiness to a deeper, participatory fellowship with the Divine. It stands in stark contrast to the fate of the unfaithful servant who knew no joy and was cast out, highlighting the profound eternal consequence of diligence versus neglect in stewardship. The parables of Matthew 25 underscore that preparedness for Christ's return is active and productive, requiring wise investment of spiritual, temporal, and gifted resources rather than mere passive waiting.

Matthew 25 21 Commentary

Matthew 25:21 offers a profound glimpse into Christ's evaluation and rewarding of His followers at His return. The Master's declaration, "Well done, good and faithful servant," is the ultimate divine affirmation for believers. It highlights that God values not the amount of talent or visible success, but unwavering faithfulness to what has been entrusted, regardless of its perceived scale. This verse establishes a crucial spiritual principle: fidelity in small, everyday stewardship lays the groundwork for elevated responsibility and greater honor in God’s eternal Kingdom. The promised promotion to "ruler over many things" implies deeper partnership and authority in the coming age, where the work and glory are immense. Most profoundly, the invitation to "Enter into the joy of your lord" speaks of an intimate, communal sharing in the very triumph and blessedness of Christ Himself, a consummation of redemption and perfect fellowship in His presence. It reassures believers that every act of loving obedience done for the Master will be richly rewarded with greater purpose and boundless joy.