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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} unto one {G3739}{G3303} he gave {G1325} five {G4002} talents {G5007},{G1161} to another {G3739} two {G1417}, and {G1161} to another {G3739} one {G1520}; to every man {G1538} according {G2596} to his several {G2398} ability {G1411}; and {G2532} straightway {G2112} took his journey {G589}.

Complete Jewish Bible

To one he gave five talents [equivalent to a hundred years' wages]; to another, two talents; and to another, one talent -- to each according to his ability. Then he left.

Berean Standard Bible

To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 25:15, a pivotal verse within Jesus' Parable of the Talents, describes the master's initial distribution of significant wealth to his three servants, assigning five, two, and one talent respectively, based on each servant's individual capacity, before embarking on a journey. This act sets the stage for the parable's central themes of stewardship, responsibility, and the eventual accountability of those entrusted with resources.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 25:15 is an integral part of the Parable of the Talents, which spans [Matthew 25:14-30](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents"). This parable immediately follows the [Parable of the Ten Virgins](/matthew/25-1-13 "Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins"), both of which are part of Jesus' broader Olivet Discourse ([Matthew 24-25](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse") and [Matthew 25](/matthew/25 "Matthew 25 - Further Olivet Discourse Teachings")), delivered on the Mount of Olives. The discourse addresses eschatological themes, particularly the signs of the end times, the destruction of the temple, and the importance of readiness for Christ's second coming. While the Parable of the Ten Virgins emphasizes vigilance and spiritual preparedness, the Parable of the Talents shifts the focus to active and productive stewardship during the master's absence, highlighting that readiness involves diligent use of entrusted resources rather than passive waiting. Verse 15 specifically details the initial conditions of this stewardship, establishing the varying amounts given and the rationale behind the distribution.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "talent" (Greek _talanton_) in the ancient world was not a measure of innate skill, but a substantial unit of weight, typically of silver or gold, representing an immense sum of money. Depending on the period and region, a single talent could be equivalent to 6,000 denarii, or approximately 15-20 years' wages for an average laborer. This detail underscores the extraordinary trust and significant resources the master placed in his servants, far beyond a trivial amount. The master's "journey" was a common practice for wealthy landowners or merchants who would travel for business, leaving their affairs in the hands of trusted servants or managers. The expectation was that these servants would manage and grow the assets, demonstrating their loyalty and competence, with an anticipated reckoning upon the master's return. This cultural backdrop emphasizes the gravity of the responsibility bestowed upon each servant and the implied expectation of productivity.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 25:15 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the parable and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it introduces the theme of **Stewardship and Responsibility**, emphasizing that all individuals are entrusted with resources, gifts, and opportunities by God, and are accountable for how they manage them. Secondly, the phrase "to every man according to his several ability" highlights the theme of **Varying Capacities and Equitable Distribution**. It demonstrates that God's distribution of gifts is not uniform but tailored to each individual's unique potential, strength, or readiness, as also seen in passages like [Romans 12:6](/romans/12-6 "Romans 12:6 - Gifts Differ According to Grace"). This principle encourages focusing on one's own entrusted portion rather than comparing it to others. Thirdly, the master's departure and the subsequent actions of the servants set the stage for the theme of **Faithfulness and Diligence in the Master's Absence**, culminating in the ultimate **Anticipation of Accountability** upon the master's return, a clear parallel to Christ's ascension and future second coming for judgment, as further elaborated in [Matthew 25:19](/matthew/25-19 "Matthew 25:19 - The Master's Return").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gave (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb signifies a deliberate act of bestowing, imparting, or delivering. In the context of the parable, it highlights the master's initiative and generosity in entrusting valuable assets to his servants. It implies a transfer of responsibility and an expectation of productive use, not merely a passive receipt. The master is the active agent in this transaction.
* **talents (Greek, _tálanton'_):** As noted in the context, a talent was a very large sum of money, not an innate skill. Its use here underscores the immense value of what was entrusted. Symbolically, it represents all the resources, opportunities, spiritual gifts, time, and influence that God bestows upon individuals. The sheer quantity emphasizes the seriousness of the stewardship.
* **ability (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** This word denotes inherent power, strength, or capacity. In this verse, it refers to the servant's individual potential, competence, or aptitude to manage and multiply the entrusted funds. The master's distribution was not arbitrary but discerning, tailored to what each servant was capable of handling and leveraging effectively. This implies divine wisdom in the allocation of gifts and responsibilities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one;":** This initial clause details the unequal, yet purposeful, distribution of the master's wealth. The specific numbers (five, two, one) are significant not in their literal quantity, but in their demonstration of varying amounts, setting up the subsequent narrative of how each servant responds to their unique endowment. The master is the sovereign giver, and the servants are the recipients of his trust.
* **"to every man according to his several ability;":** This crucial phrase provides the rationale for the differential distribution. The master did not give arbitrarily or equally, but equitably, aligning the amount entrusted with each servant's perceived capacity, skill, or potential for management and growth. This highlights divine wisdom in the allocation of resources and gifts, recognizing that individuals possess different strengths and weaknesses.
* **"and straightway took his journey.":** This concluding clause signifies the master's immediate departure after entrusting his wealth. "Straightway" (Greek _euthéōs_) emphasizes the promptness of his departure, initiating a period of absence during which the servants are expected to act independently and responsibly. This departure foreshadows Christ's ascension and the period between His first and second comings, during which His followers are called to be faithful stewards.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Matthew 25:15 and the broader passage is **Parable**. Jesus uses this extended metaphor to convey spiritual truths through a relatable, earthly story. The characters and actions within the narrative—the master, the servants, the talents, the journey, and the eventual reckoning—are all **Symbolism** for deeper theological realities. The master symbolizes God or Christ, the servants represent believers, the talents symbolize spiritual gifts, resources, opportunities, and responsibilities given by God, and the journey symbolizes the time between Christ's ascension and His second coming. The verse also employs a form of **Contrast** in the differing amounts of talents given, which sets up the subsequent contrast in the servants' responses and the master's judgments, highlighting the varying degrees of faithfulness and diligence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 25:15 establishes a foundational theological principle: God is the ultimate owner of all things, and humanity serves as His stewards. The distribution of talents, "according to his several ability," underscores God's sovereignty and wisdom in equipping each individual uniquely for His purposes. This is not about equality of outcome, but equity of opportunity based on divine discernment. The verse implicitly teaches that every believer, regardless of perceived capacity or the quantity of gifts, has been entrusted with something valuable for the Master's service. This stewardship demands active engagement and responsible management, with an understanding that a day of reckoning will come when each will give an account for what they have done with what they were given. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that all of life is lived before God and for His glory.

* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given")
* [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Good Stewards of God's Grace")
* [Romans 14:12](/romans/14-12 "Romans 14:12 - Each Will Give Account to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 25:15 calls believers to a profound self-examination regarding the resources, gifts, and opportunities God has entrusted to them. It challenges us to move beyond comparing ourselves to others, recognizing that God's distribution is wise and tailored to our unique capacity. Instead of lamenting what we lack, we are exhorted to diligently and faithfully employ what we *do* possess for the advancement of His kingdom. This includes not only spiritual gifts but also our time, finances, talents, influence, and even our very lives. The "straightway took his journey" aspect serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency of our stewardship; the Master is absent, but He will return, and we are called to be productive in the interim. Our faithfulness in the "little" things (our one, two, or five talents) is what prepares us for greater responsibility and the joy of hearing, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "talents"—spiritual gifts, natural abilities, resources, opportunities, or spheres of influence—do I believe God has entrusted to me?**
* **Am I actively using these talents for God's glory and the advancement of His kingdom, or am I burying them out of fear or complacency?**
* **How does the understanding that God gives "according to his several ability" impact my perspective on my own gifts and those of others?**
* **Knowing that the Master will "straightway took his journey" and will return, how does this awareness motivate my daily stewardship and faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**What does "talent" mean in this parable, and how does it relate to modern usage?**

Answer: In Matthew 25:15, a "talent" (Greek _tálanton_) refers to a very large unit of currency or weight, typically of silver or gold, in the ancient world. It was an immense sum, equivalent to many years of a laborer's wages. This emphasizes the significant value of what the master entrusted to his servants. In modern English, "talent" has come to mean an innate ability or skill, a meaning derived from this very parable. The parable's enduring impact led to the word's metaphorical shift from a monetary unit to a natural aptitude, underscoring that our abilities and gifts are valuable trusts from God.

**Why did the master give different amounts of talents (five, two, and one) to his servants?**

Answer: The master gave different amounts of talents "to every man according to his several ability." This phrase is crucial because it indicates that the distribution was not arbitrary but discerning and equitable. The master understood the unique capacities, strengths, and potential of each servant. This teaches us that God, our ultimate Master, distributes gifts, resources, and responsibilities to us not equally in quantity, but equitably, according to what He knows we can handle and effectively use for His purposes. It's a testament to His wisdom and perfect knowledge of each individual's potential, as seen in passages like [1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity in the Spirit").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 25:15, within the Parable of the Talents, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in understanding Jesus as the Master who "took his journey" and will "straightway" return. Christ, having completed His earthly ministry and secured salvation through His atoning work on the cross, ascended to the right hand of the Father ([Acts 1:9-11](/acts/1-9-11 "Acts 1:9-11 - The Ascension of Jesus")), entrusting His followers—His servants—with the ongoing mission of the Kingdom. The "talents" represent not just general resources, but specifically the spiritual gifts, the gospel message, and the divine empowerment of the Holy Spirit that Christ has bestowed upon His church ([Ephesians 4:7-12](/ephesians/4-7-12 "Ephesians 4:7-12 - Gifts for the Church's Building Up")). Believers are called to be faithful stewards of these divine endowments, actively investing them in the spread of the gospel and the building up of the body of Christ, knowing that the Master will return to settle accounts. The parable thus foreshadows Christ's Second Coming ([Matthew 24:30](/matthew/24-30 "Matthew 24:30 - The Coming of the Son of Man")) and the judgment seat of Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:10](/2_corinthians/5-10 "2 Corinthians 5:10 - The Judgment Seat of Christ")), where believers will give an account for their stewardship, not for salvation, but for rewards and the demonstration of their faithfulness to the Lord who entrusted them with so much. Our service, therefore, is an act of worship and anticipation of His glorious return.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 18:24

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

Luke 19:13

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

Luke 19:14

But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this [man] to reign over us.

Luke 12:48

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.