MPV Commentary

who called his own servants and entrusted them with his goods--In ancient times, it was common for masters to entrust their slaves with various tasks and responsibilities. Here, Christ's "servants" refer to all those who have made a profession of faith in Him, acknowledging His authority over their lives. The "goods" He has given them include both natural talents and spiritual gifts.

15. To one servant he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one--While the amount entrusted to each servant varied, the same level of responsibility was expected from all. And so there is perfect fairness in this arrangement.

to each according to his ability--This refers not only to their natural capacity but also to the opportunities they have been given by God to use their gifts for His service.

and immediately He set out on a journey--This departure signifies Christ's leaving people to the action of spiritual laws and influences under which they have been placed, in order that they might be saved and contribute to the advancement of His kingdom.

16. The servant who had received five talents went and traded with them, making an additional five talents.

17. Similarly, the servant who had received two talents gained another two, doubling what he had been given.

18. But the servant who had received one talent dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money--He did not misuse it but simply failed to use it for any purpose. It seems that this servant was anxious about losing or misusing the gift, so he chose to hide it rather than risk anything.

19. After a long time, the lord of those servants returned and accounted with them--It is remarkable that some people during the apostolic era expected Christ's Second Coming within their lifetime, despite having no reason to do so.

20. The servant who had received five talents said, "Lord, you entrusted me with five talents; I have gained an additional five." This illustrates what it means to be bold in the day of judgment and to have confidence when He appears (1 John 4:17; 2:28).

21. His lord replied, "Well done! You have been faithful over a few things, so I will make you ruler over many" (Matthew 25:15). The reward is precisely the same for both servants who were commended.

22. He also commended the servant who had received two talents in the same terms: "You have been faithful over a few things; now be a ruler over many." Both servants are rewarded equally, and their contrasts are striking: "You have been entrusted with a few things; now have dominion over many."

enter into the joy of your lord--This refers to the joy that Christ experiences in seeing His people serve Him faithfully.

24. Then the servant who had received one talent came and said, "Lord, I knew you were a harsh master." This servant thought his master was demanding and impossible to please.

reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered--This means that he saw his master as someone who demands what is impossible and is dissatisfied with what can be achieved. People often secretly think of God in this way, blaming Him for their lack of fruitfulness.

25. I was afraid to do anything with it," the servant said, "so I hid your talent in the earth." This depicts those who fail to use their gifts for Christ's service without misusing them either.

You wicked and slothful servant--This servant is called "wicked" or "falsehearted" because he failed to serve his master faithfully. The addition of "slothful" emphasizes that his failure consisted in doing nothing at all.

26. You knew I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered," the lord said. This servant had taken his master's demands as a reason for his own lack of effort, rather than seeing it as an opportunity to serve Him faithfully.

27. You should have put my money with the bankers, and then at my coming I would have received it back with interest."

29. For everyone who has will be given more, but those who do not have anything will lose even what little they seem to have (Matthew 13:12).

30. And cast out the useless servant into outer darkness--This refers to the darkness that lies outside of God's presence and kingdom.

there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth--Those who fail to serve their master faithfully will experience sorrow and regret in the end.