Matthew 25:16

KJV

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} he that had received {G2983} the five {G4002} talents {G5007} went {G4198} and traded {G2038} with {G1722} the same {G846}, and {G2532} made {G4160} them other {G243} five {G4002} talents {G5007}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The one who had received five talents immediately went out, invested it and earned another five.

Berean Standard Bible

The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more.

American Standard Version

Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 25:16 initiates the active phase of the Parable of the Talents, showcasing the immediate and diligent response of the first servant. Upon receiving a substantial entrustment of five talents from his master, this servant promptly engaged in business, demonstrating faithful stewardship by doubling the initial investment, thus setting a positive example of productivity and responsibility in the master's absence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 25:16 is an integral part of Jesus's [Parable of the Talents](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents"), which immediately follows the [Parable of the Ten Virgins](/matthew/25-1-13 "Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins") and precedes the [Parable of the Sheep and Goats](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations"). These parables form a crucial segment of the Olivet Discourse, Jesus's final major teaching before His crucifixion, focusing on eschatological themes of preparedness, faithful stewardship, and ultimate judgment related to His second coming. The parable specifically illustrates the expectation of active engagement and responsible management of resources entrusted by the master, contrasting the diligent servant's actions with the fearful inaction of the third servant in [Matthew 25:18](/matthew/25-18 "Matthew 25:18 - The Unfaithful Servant").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, the relationship between a master and his servants (often household managers or trusted employees, not mere slaves) involved significant trust and responsibility. A "talent" (Greek: _talanton_) was not an innate skill, as in modern English, but a massive unit of currency, typically weighing around 75 pounds of silver or gold. One talent represented an enormous sum, equivalent to approximately 15 years of a laborer's wages. Entrusting five talents (75 years' wages) to a servant indicated profound confidence and a clear expectation that the servant would not simply guard the money but invest it to generate profit. This practice was common in the Greco-Roman world, where wealthy individuals would often delegate financial management to trusted agents while traveling, expecting a return upon their return.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces the theme of **diligent stewardship**, highlighting the servant's immediate and proactive engagement with the entrusted resources. His action of "went and traded" exemplifies the principle that God-given gifts and opportunities are not meant for passive preservation but for active, purposeful investment and growth. It underscores the theme of **responsibility and accountability**, as the servant understands that his master's trust implies an expectation of return, not just maintenance. Furthermore, the doubling of the talents introduces the theme of **fruitfulness and multiplication**, emphasizing that faithful stewardship leads to an increase, reflecting the spiritual principle that those who are faithful with little will be entrusted with more, as Jesus teaches elsewhere in [Luke 16:10](/luke/16-10 "Luke 16:10 - Faithful in Little, Faithful in Much").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **received (Greek, _lambánō'_):** This word denotes an active taking or getting hold of something. Here, it emphasizes that the servant was given, or took possession of, the talents. It highlights the master's intentional act of entrustment and the servant's acceptance of this responsibility, setting the stage for his subsequent actions.
* **traded (Greek, _ergázomai'_):** This term signifies active toil, work, or engagement in business. It conveys purposeful labor and effort, indicating that the servant did not idly sit on the money but actively put it to use in a commercial venture. This word underscores the theme of diligent and productive stewardship.
* **made (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This versatile verb means to make, do, or produce. In this context, it refers to the successful outcome of the servant's trading—he generated additional talents. It implies creation, achievement, and the bringing forth of something new from what was given, directly demonstrating the fruitfulness of his labor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he that had received the five talents":** This clause identifies the first servant, distinguished by the significant amount of trust placed in him. The "five talents" represent a substantial endowment, emphasizing the master's profound confidence and the weighty responsibility given to this individual.
* **"went and traded with the same":** This phrase describes the servant's immediate and decisive action. "Went" (Greek: _poreúomai_) implies purposeful movement, and "traded" (Greek: _ergázomai_) signifies active engagement in business or labor. This highlights the servant's initiative, diligence, and commitment to utilizing the entrusted resources productively, rather than passively holding them.
* **"and made them other five talents":** This final clause reveals the successful outcome of the servant's efforts. He not only preserved the initial investment but actively "made" (Greek: _poiéō_) an equal amount, effectively doubling the master's capital. This demonstrates his faithfulness, shrewdness, and the fruitfulness of his labor, setting a high standard for stewardship.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Matthew 25:16, and indeed the entire passage, is **Parable**. Jesus uses this narrative form to convey profound spiritual truths through a relatable story about a master and his servants. Within this parable, **Symbolism** is prominent: the "talents" symbolize not merely money but all the gifts, abilities, resources, opportunities, and time that God entrusts to His people. The master represents God, and the servants represent believers. The act of "trading" symbolizes the active and diligent use of these divine endowments for God's purposes. The outcome—"made them other five talents"—symbolizes the spiritual fruitfulness and multiplication that result from faithful stewardship, emphasizing the expectation of growth and return on what has been invested.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 25:16 powerfully illustrates the theological principle of divine entrustment and human accountability. God, as the ultimate Master, bestows upon each individual unique gifts, resources, and opportunities. This verse emphasizes that these endowments are not for personal hoarding or passive preservation but are given with the expectation of active, diligent stewardship. The servant's immediate action and successful multiplication reflect a core biblical theme: that faithfulness in utilizing what God has given leads to greater fruitfulness and ultimately, divine commendation. It underscores that our lives, talents, and possessions are not our own but are held in trust from God, for which we will one day give an account.

* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To whom much is given, much will be required")
* [1 Corinthians 4:2](/1_corinthians/4-2 "1 Corinthians 4:2 - It is required in stewards that one be found faithful")
* [2 Corinthians 9:6](/2_corinthians/9-6 "2 Corinthians 9:6 - He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 25:16 serves as a profound call to action for every believer. Just as the master in the parable entrusted significant resources to his servants, God has endowed each of us with a unique combination of spiritual gifts, natural talents, financial resources, time, and opportunities. This verse challenges us to move beyond passive receipt to active, diligent, and creative engagement with what we have been given. It compels us to ask: Am I actively "trading" with my talents, or am I burying them out of fear, complacency, or a lack of understanding of their purpose? Our stewardship is not merely about avoiding loss, but about seeking multiplication for God's glory and the advancement of His kingdom. This applies to every sphere of life, from our vocational work to our service in the church and our interactions in the community. We are called to be productive and fruitful, leveraging every resource for eternal impact, knowing that our Master will return and expect a return on His investment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "talents"—gifts, resources, or opportunities—has God specifically entrusted to me?**
* **In what ways am I actively "trading" with these talents to bring glory to God and benefit others?**
* **What fears or hesitations might be preventing me from fully utilizing what God has given me?**
* **How can I be more intentional and diligent in stewarding my time, finances, and abilities for God's kingdom purposes?**

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

Answer: In Matthew 25:16, "talents" (Greek: _talanton_) refers to a specific, very large unit of money, not an innate skill or ability as in modern English. A talent was equivalent to many years of a common laborer's wages (e.g., 15-20 years). The master entrusted his servants with substantial financial capital. Over time, the story's emphasis on using one's entrusted resources led to the modern English idiom where "talent" refers to a natural aptitude or skill. However, in the biblical context, it primarily signifies a significant, valuable entrustment, whether financial or otherwise, that is meant to be actively managed and multiplied.

**Why did the servant immediately "go and trade" instead of waiting?**

Answer: The servant's immediate action ("went and traded") highlights his diligence, faithfulness, and understanding of his master's expectations. There was no hesitation or procrastination. This reflects a key theme of the parable: active and prompt stewardship. The master's long absence implied that the servants were expected to manage the resources proactively, not merely to guard them. This immediate engagement contrasts sharply with the third servant, who "went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money" ([Matthew 25:18](/matthew/25-18 "Matthew 25:18 - The Unfaithful Servant")). The first servant's promptness is presented as a positive example of responsible and productive management.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 25:16, while part of a parable about stewardship, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ. Jesus Himself is the supreme example of faithful stewardship, perfectly utilizing every divine resource and opportunity entrusted to Him by the Father to accomplish His redemptive mission. He "went and traded" with His divine prerogatives, humbling Himself to take on human flesh ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")), living a life of perfect obedience, and ultimately offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world ([John 10:17-18](/john/10-17-18 "John 10:17-18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ "made" an immeasurable spiritual return, securing eternal life for all who believe and establishing His Kingdom. Furthermore, it is Christ who, upon His ascension, has distributed spiritual "talents"—gifts of the Spirit—to His Church, empowering believers for ministry and service ([Ephesians 4:7-13](/ephesians/4-7-13 "Ephesians 4:7-13 - Gifts for the Church")). Our diligent stewardship of these gifts, as exemplified by the servant in [Matthew 25:16](/matthew/25-16 "Matthew 25:16 - The First Servant's Diligence"), is therefore a participation in Christ's ongoing work, a demonstration of our love for Him, and a preparation for His glorious return, when He will evaluate how we have used what He has entrusted to us ([Colossians 3:23-24](/colossians/3-23-24 "Colossians 3:23-24 - Work as for the Lord")).

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

2 Timothy 2:6

The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.

Philemon 1:6

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Philemon 1:7

For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

1 Timothy 6:17

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1 Timothy 6:18

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

3 John 1:5

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

3 John 1:8

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.