Matthew 25:28-30

Matthew 25:28-30

[28] Take  therefore  the talent  from  him,  and  give  it unto him which hath  ten  talents.  [29] For  unto every one  that hath  shall be given,  and  he shall have abundance:  but  from  him  that hath  not  shall be taken away  even  that which  he hath.  [30] And  cast ye  the unprofitable  servant  into  outer  darkness:  there  weeping  and  gnashing  of teeth. 

What does Matthew 25:28-30 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Rather than giving this servant increased responsibility, the master took back the talent he had entrusted to him. Rather than blessing him with the joy of fellowship with the master, the slave had to depart from his master"s presence. Matthew 25:29 expresses a kingdom principle that Jesus had formerly explained ( Matthew 13:12; cf. Matthew 21:43). The master removed the slave"s opportunity to serve him further. He declared him "worthless" ( Matthew 25:30) because he had failed to do his master"s will with what the master gave him to use. This resulted in the loss of his resources, rejection by the master, banishment from his presence, tears, and gnashing of teeth.
Does the unfaithful slave represent a believing or an unbelieving Jew in the Tribulation? In view of the punishment he received he must be an unbeliever (cf. Matthew 13:12). [1] Everywhere else in Matthew"s Gospel where the phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth" occurs it refers to the final condition of unbelievers ( Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:42; Matthew 13:50; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51). The darkness outside ( Matthew 25:30) contrasts with the joy inside the messianic banquet and kingdom ( Matthew 25:21; Matthew 25:23).
"The last three parables give practical instructions in the light of the King"s coming to judge and to reign. The principle which underlies each is the same one which was given in the Sermon on the Mount ( Matthew 7:16-21). The fruit of faithfulness and preparedness would indicate the character of those living in the days before His coming. In each parable, character is manifested by works. This thought forms the key to the following passage which deals with the judgment of the nations ( Matthew 25:31-46)." [2]
This concludes the section of the Olivet Discourse in which Jesus taught His disciples their responsibilities in view of His coming and the end of the present age ( Matthew 24:32 to Matthew 25:30). He stressed the importance of vigilance with four parables ( Matthew 24:32-44) and the importance of prudence and faithfulness with three parables ( Matthew 24:43 to Matthew 25:30).