The Meaning of Matthew 25:15 Explained

Matthew 25:15

KJV: And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

YLT: and to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his several ability, went abroad immediately.

Darby: And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to each according to his particular ability, and immediately went away out of the country.

ASV: And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey.

Discover Matthew 25:15

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Matthew 25:15?

MEANING: What does Matthew 25:15 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Matthew 25:15 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Matthew 25:15?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  unto one  he gave  five  talents,  to another  two,  and  to another  one;  to every man  according  to his several  ability;  and  straightway  took his journey. 

What does Matthew 25:15 Mean?

Verse Meaning

In New Testament times a talent (Gr. talanton) was a unit of exchange. Its value depended on the type of metal that was in view-gold, silver, or copper. The talents in this parable may have been silver, though this is not important. The Greek word argyrion in Matthew 25:18 can mean either "money" or "silver." Originally a talent was a measure of weight, between58,80 pounds. [1] Many translators and commentators use75 pounds as a convenient working amount. Later the talent was a coin worth about6 ,000 denarii. The earning power of a talent coin was therefore the equivalent of about16 and a half years wages for a workingman or a foot soldier. By any reckoning the worth of the talents entrusted to the slaves in this parable was great. Five talents might amount to considerably more than a lifetime of earnings.
This master distributed his resources according to his evaluation of the ability of each slave. As always, greater privilege brings greater responsibility.
Probably we should understand the talents to represent all the working capital that God entrusts to His disciples. To limit the talents to spiritual gifts, natural abilities, the gospel, opportunities for service, money, or whatever, limits the scope of what Jesus probably intended. All of these things constitute what God has given His servants to use for His glory.
"This capacity for work lies not within our own power; but it is in our power to use for Christ whatever we may have." [2]
These slaves represent Jews living during the Tribulation, not Christians living in the church age, though this parable is applicable to us. They will have unparalleled opportunities to serve Jesus Christ then. The opportunity to herald the gospel to the ends of the earth will be one of these great privileges. Many disciples then will probably have the opportunity to present the gospel to thousands and perhaps millions of individuals using the technology of their day.

Context Summary

Matthew 25:14-30 - By Faithfulness Win Reward
We are not only guests, but servants, who must give an account of their stewardship. Each bond slave has been entrusted with at least one talent. The number of talents varies with our ability to manage them. The Master is not unreasonable, and never overtasks. It is by use that the power to use grows. By carefully employing our opportunities, our sphere of service may be greatly widened, so that, at the end of life, we shall be able to do twice as much as at the outset.
Christ is always coming to reckon. Every communion season, every birthday, is a standing at the judgment seat of Christ, preliminary to the great white throne, 2 Corinthians 5:10. Let those who are entrusted with one talent only be specially on the watch, for they are most exposed to the temptation of saying, "We can do so little, we will do nothing." What you can do best, and which most accords with your circumstances, is probably your talent. If you cannot do much yourself, work with your church and under the direction of your pastor, Matthew 25:27. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 25

1  The parable of the ten virgins,
14  and of the talents
31  Also the description of the last judgment

Greek Commentary for Matthew 25:15

To one [ωι μεν ωι δε ωι δε]
Demonstrative δεναριυς — hos not the relative. Neat Greek idiom. [source]
According to his several ability [kata tēn idian dunamin)]
According to his own ability. Each had all that he was capable of handling. The use that one makes of his opportunities is the measure of his capacity for more. One talent represented a considerable amount of money at that time when a denarius was a day‘s wage. See note on Matthew 18:24 for the value of a talent. [source]
Several ability [ἰδίαν]
Lit., his own or peculiar capacity for business. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 25:15

Matthew 25:16 Straightway [εὐθέως]
Connected with the beginning of this verse, instead of with the end of Matthew 25:15: Straightway he that had received, etc., indicating promptness on the servant's part. [source]
Matthew 25:16 Straightway [ευτεως]
Beginning of Matthew 25:16, not the end of Matthew 25:15. The business temper of this slave is shown by his promptness. [source]
John 7:18 His own glory [τὴν δόξαν τὴν ἰδίαν]
Literally, the glow which is His own; the second article throwing His own into sharp contrast with His that sent Him. On His own, see on Acts 1:7; see on Matthew 22:5; see on Matthew 25:15. [source]
John 1:41 His own [τὸν ἴδιον]
See on Matthew 22:5; see on Matthew 25:15; see on Acts 1:7; see on 1 Peter 1:3. [source]
2 Peter 2:11 Though greater [μειζονες οντες]
Than the evil δοχαι — doxai Concessive participle and comparative adjective.In might and strength (ισχυι και δυναμει — ischui kai dunamei). Locative case. Both indwelling strength (ισχυς — ischus Mark 12:30) and ability (δυναμις — dunamis Matthew 25:15).Railing judgment “Blasphemous accusation.”Against them (κατ αυτων — kat' autōn). The evil angels (δοχαι — doxai).Before the Lord In God‘s presence. See Judges 1:9 and possibly Enoch 9. [source]
2 Peter 2:11 In might and strength [ισχυι και δυναμει]
Locative case. Both indwelling strength (ισχυς — ischus Mark 12:30) and ability (δυναμις — dunamis Matthew 25:15). [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 25:15 mean?

And to one indeed he gave five talents then two one to each according to the own ability he left the region immediately
καὶ ᾧ μὲν ἔδωκεν πέντε τάλαντα δὲ δύο ἕν ἑκάστῳ κατὰ τὴν ἰδίαν δύναμιν ἀπεδήμησεν Εὐθέως

ᾧ  to  one 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
μὲν  indeed 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: μέν  
Sense: truly, certainly, surely, indeed.
ἔδωκεν  he  gave 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
πέντε  five 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: πέντε  
Sense: five.
τάλαντα  talents 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: τάλαντον  
Sense: the scale of a balance, a balance, a pair of scales.
δύο  two 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: δύο 
Sense: the two, the twain.
ἕν  one 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: εἷς  
Sense: one.
ἑκάστῳ  to  each 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἕκαστος  
Sense: each, every.
κατὰ  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
ἰδίαν  own 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἴδιος  
Sense: pertaining to one’s self, one’s own, belonging to one’s self.
δύναμιν  ability 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.
ἀπεδήμησεν  he  left  the  region 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀποδημέω  
Sense: to go away into foreign parts, go abroad.
Εὐθέως  immediately 
Parse: Adverb
Root: εὐθέως  
Sense: straightway, immediately, forthwith.

What are the major concepts related to Matthew 25:15?

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Similar Scriptures for Matthew 25:15

Matthew 18:24 [4]
Luke 12:48 [2]
Luke 19:13-14 [1]