Matthew 25:17

KJV

And likewise he that [had received] two, he also gained other two.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} likewise {G5615} he that had received {G3588} two {G1417}, he {G846} also {G2532} gained {G2770} other {G243} two {G1417}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Similarly, the one given two earned another two.

Berean Standard Bible

Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more.

American Standard Version

In like manner he also that received the two gained other two.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 25:17 is a pivotal verse within Jesus's Parable of the Talents, detailing the diligent and fruitful action of the second servant. Having received two talents from his master, this servant, like the first, actively engaged in investment and successfully doubled his initial endowment, demonstrating faithful stewardship and industriousness. This brief statement highlights the principle of proportional accountability and the master's expectation of productive engagement with entrusted resources.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the larger eschatological discourse of Jesus, known as the Olivet Discourse, found in [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - Signs of the End") and [Matthew 25](/matthew/25 "Matthew 25 - Parables of Readiness"). Following parables emphasizing watchfulness and readiness for the Master's return, the Parable of the Talents ([Matthew 25:14-30](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents")) specifically illustrates the principles of faithful stewardship and accountability for the resources entrusted to believers during the Master's absence. Verse 17 follows the account of the first servant, who received five talents and gained five more, establishing a pattern of diligent and successful investment that the second servant emulates.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "talent" (Greek: _talanton_) in Jesus's time was not a measure of innate ability but a significant unit of weight, typically of gold or silver, representing an enormous sum of money—equivalent to many years' wages for a common laborer. This detail underscores the immense trust the master placed in his servants and the substantial responsibility they bore. In the ancient Near East, it was common for wealthy landowners to entrust their assets to trusted servants or managers, expecting them to manage and increase the wealth. The master's distribution "according to their several ability" ([Matthew 25:15](/matthew/25-15 "Matthew 25:15 - Distribution of Talents")) reflects a realistic understanding of individual capacities and the expectation that each would work diligently within their given means.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 25:17 profoundly contributes to several key themes within the parable and the broader book. Firstly, it exemplifies **Stewardship and Responsibility**, emphasizing that God entrusts His followers with various gifts and resources, expecting them to be managed wisely for His purposes. Secondly, the phrase "he also gained other two" highlights **Diligence and Fruitfulness**, underscoring the active and productive engagement required of those who receive from the Master. This servant did not squander or hoard but actively invested, demonstrating the importance of being productive with God-given opportunities. Lastly, it reinforces the theme of **Proportional Expectation**, where the master's commendation for the servant with two talents ([Matthew 25:23](/matthew/25-23 "Matthew 25:23 - The Faithful Servant's Reward")) is identical to that given to the servant with five, illustrating that faithfulness in proportion to what is given is what truly pleases God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **likewise (Greek, _hōsaútōs'_):** This adverb signifies "in the same way" or "even so." Its inclusion immediately links the actions of the second servant to the diligent and successful efforts of the first servant mentioned in [Matthew 25:16](/matthew/25-16 "Matthew 25:16 - The First Servant's Action"). It highlights a consistent pattern of faithful and productive stewardship among the diligent servants, underscoring that the master's expectation and the servants' appropriate response were uniform, regardless of the initial amount received.
* **two (Greek, _dýo'_):** A primary numeral, "two" specifies the exact quantity of talents entrusted to this particular servant. The repetition of "two" (received two, gained other two) emphasizes the precise doubling of the initial investment. This numerical clarity is crucial for understanding the parable's message of proportional return and the master's equitable judgment based on the percentage of gain, not merely the absolute amount.
* **gained (Greek, _kerdaínō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "profit" or "gain," this verb denotes the active process of acquiring or winning. In this context, it signifies the servant's successful and profitable investment of the talents. It implies diligent work, shrewd financial management, and a proactive approach to increasing the master's assets, directly contrasting with the inaction of the third servant in [Matthew 25:18](/matthew/25-18 "Matthew 25:18 - The Unfaithful Servant").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And likewise he that had received two":** This clause introduces the second servant, drawing a direct parallel with the first servant's actions. The phrase "likewise" (G5615, _hōsaútōs_) immediately signals that this servant's response mirrors the faithfulness of the one who received five talents. The emphasis is on the initial endowment—two talents—which, though less than the first servant's, still represents a substantial sum and a significant trust from the master.
* **"he also gained other two":** This second clause reveals the servant's productive response. The word "gained" (G2770, _kerdaínō_) indicates an active and successful effort to increase the master's wealth. The phrase "other two" confirms that the servant doubled his initial investment, achieving a 100% return, mirroring the success of the first servant. This outcome demonstrates diligence, wisdom, and faithfulness in managing the entrusted resources.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 25:17 employs several literary devices to convey its meaning. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, as the structure and outcome of the second servant's actions precisely mirror those of the first servant described in [Matthew 25:16](/matthew/25-16 "Matthew 25:16 - The First Servant's Action"). This parallel highlights the consistency of faithful stewardship and sets up the stark contrast with the third servant's inaction. **Symbolism** is also central, with the "talents" representing not just monetary wealth but also the diverse gifts, abilities, opportunities, and responsibilities God entrusts to His people. The "master" symbolizes Christ, and the "servants" represent His followers. The act of "gaining" symbolizes the productive use of these spiritual and material endowments for the advancement of God's kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 25:17 reinforces the profound theological truth that God is a God of investment and expectation, entrusting His resources to humanity and anticipating a return. It underscores the biblical concept of stewardship, where everything we possess—our time, talents, spiritual gifts, financial resources, and opportunities—are ultimately God's, and we are merely managers. The verse highlights that God's expectations are proportional to what He has given, valuing faithfulness and diligence over sheer quantity. This principle encourages believers to actively engage with their God-given capacities, not to hoard or neglect them, but to multiply them for His glory and the expansion of His kingdom, knowing that a day of accountability awaits.

* [Luke 19:16](/luke/19-16 "Luke 19:16 - The Parable of the Minas")
* [1 Corinthians 4:2](/1_corinthians/4-2 "1 Corinthians 4:2 - Requirements of Stewards")
* [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Gifts for Service")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 25:17 serves as a powerful call to introspective reflection and active application in the life of every believer. It challenges us to honestly assess what "talents" God has entrusted to us—be they spiritual gifts, natural abilities, financial resources, education, influence, or even our time and relationships. The example of the second servant, who doubled his two talents, teaches us that the measure of our faithfulness is not determined by the magnitude of our initial endowment, but by the diligence and fruitfulness with which we utilize what we have been given. This verse encourages a proactive, industrious approach to our faith, urging us to invest our God-given resources in ways that honor Him and advance His purposes, rather than burying them out of fear or complacency. It reminds us that every act of faithful stewardship, no matter how small it may seem in comparison to others, is valued and will be commended by the Master upon His return.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "talents" (gifts, resources, opportunities) has God specifically entrusted to me?**
* **In what ways am I actively "gaining" or multiplying these talents for God's glory, rather than neglecting or burying them?**
* **How does the principle of proportional expectation in this verse encourage me to be faithful with what I have, without comparing myself to others?**

### FAQ
**What does "talents" represent in this parable, beyond just money?**

Answer: While a "talent" was indeed a significant sum of money in Jesus's time, in the context of the parable and its broader theological implications, "talents" symbolize all the resources, gifts, abilities, opportunities, and responsibilities that God entrusts to His followers. This includes spiritual gifts (as described in [1 Corinthians 12](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts") and [Romans 12](/romans/12 "Romans 12 - Gifts and Service")), natural abilities, education, time, financial resources, social influence, and even the gospel message itself. The parable teaches that whatever God has given us, no matter the quantity, is meant to be stewarded wisely and productively for His kingdom until His return.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 25:17, within the Parable of the Talents, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. Firstly, the "master" in the parable is a clear representation of Christ Himself, who, before His ascension, entrusted His disciples with the mission of the gospel and the gifts of the Spirit, expecting them to be diligent stewards until His second coming ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")). Secondly, Christ Himself is the ultimate example of faithful stewardship, having perfectly utilized His divine prerogatives and human life to accomplish the Father's will, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He is the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), demonstrating the ultimate "gain" for humanity through His self-giving. The parable, therefore, calls believers to emulate Christ's faithfulness and diligence, actively investing their lives and resources in His kingdom work, knowing that a day of accounting awaits when they will stand before the Bema Seat of Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:10](/2_corinthians/5-10 "2 Corinthians 5:10 - The Bema Seat Judgment")) to give an account of their stewardship, ultimately receiving commendation from the Master for their faithful service.

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

Proverbs 3:9

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Proverbs 3:10

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Ephesians 5:16

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ecclesiastes 11:1

¶ Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.

Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both [shall be] alike good.

2 Kings 4:8

¶ And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where [was] a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And [so] it was, [that] as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

2 Kings 4:10

Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.