Parable Of The Ten Talents Series

-Tuesday-

Mount of Olives

(13) Olivet Discourse Continued

Scriptures: Matthew 25:14-30

PART 13.2: PARABLE OF THE TEN TALENTS

Parable of the Ten Talents

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

15 “And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

16 “Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

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

18 “But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

19 “After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “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.’

21 “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.’

22 “He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’

23 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

25 ‘And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.

27 ‘So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

28 ‘Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.

30 ‘And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Introduction

The Parable of the Talents illustrates the tragedy of wasted opportunities and ties together readiness for Jesus’ return with responsible activity. In studying this passage, take note of the following about faithfulness:

• “Talents” here represent privileges and opportunities given us to serve the purposes of the kingdom of God. Verse 15 answers the question, “How are such opportunities distributed to us?”

• Verses 16 and 17, answer another question; “What is expected of us if we’re to be deemed faithful, responsible kingdom workers?”

• Verses 18 and 24–27, answer yet another question; “What constitutes a lack of faithfulness to the Master’s work?”

Commentary

14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

What is God’s kingdom like? That is the subject of the Parable of the Talents. By comparing the Parable of the Ten Virgins (vs. 1-13) with this parable, we discover the distinguishing features of each. We have here [TL1]talents committed to three servants; this implies that we are in a condition of work and concern, as the former parable implies that we are in a state of expectancy. That substantiates the necessity for habitual preparation, and this parable bears out the necessity for actual diligence in our present work and service. The former one has stirred us up to do good works for the good of our own souls; in this one we are urged to lay out ourselves for the glory of God and the good of others.

In this parable:

1. The lord is Christ, who is the absolute Owner and Administrator of all persons and things, and in a special way of his church; all things are delivered into His hands.

2. The servants are Christians, who have been born into His house, bought with His money, devoted to His praise, and employed in His work. Paul often calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:24)[1].

3. The journey to the far country represents the long period between His First and Second Coming.

We have three things, in general, in this parable: