Matthew 25:20

KJV

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

KJV (with Strong's)

And so {G2532} he that had received {G2983} five {G4002} talents {G5007} came {G4334} and brought {G4374} other {G243} five {G4002} talents {G5007}, saying {G3004}, Lord {G2962}, thou deliveredst {G3860} unto me {G3427} five {G4002} talents {G5007}: behold {G2396}, I have gained {G2770} beside {G1909} them {G846} five {G4002} talents {G5007} more {G243}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the other five and said, `Sir, you gave me five talents; here, I have made five more.'

Berean Standard Bible

The servant who had received the five talents came and presented five more. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’

American Standard Version

And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 25:20 captures the diligent and faithful response of the first servant in Jesus's Parable of the Talents. Having been entrusted with five talents by his master, this servant returns, not merely having preserved the initial sum, but having doubled it, presenting an additional five talents gained through diligent investment. This action exemplifies responsible stewardship and proactive engagement with entrusted resources, setting a powerful example for the master's commendation that follows.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 25:20 is situated within the broader discourse of Jesus on the Mount of Olives, just days before His crucifixion. This chapter, specifically from [Matthew 25:14](/matthew/25-14 "Matthew 25:14 - Beginning of the Parable of the Talents") to [Matthew 25:30](/matthew/25-30 "Matthew 25:30 - Conclusion of the Parable of the Talents"), presents the Parable of the Talents as the second of three parables (following the [Parable of the Ten Virgins](/matthew/25-1 "Matthew 25:1 - Parable of the Ten Virgins") in [Matthew 25:1-13](/matthew/25-1-13 "Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins") and preceding the [Parable of the Sheep and the Goats](/matthew/25-31 "Matthew 25:31 - Parable of the Sheep and the Goats") in [Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")) that collectively emphasize the urgent need for readiness, vigilance, and faithful living in anticipation of the Master's (Christ's) return and the final judgment. The immediate narrative flow shows the master's return and the accounting of the first two servants, contrasting their diligence with the third servant's fear-driven inaction.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable reflects the common economic practices of the ancient Near East, where wealthy landowners or merchants would entrust significant sums of money or goods to their servants or managers for investment. A "talent" (Greek: _talanton_) was not a small coin but a substantial unit of weight, typically of silver or gold, representing an enormous sum—perhaps equivalent to 15-20 years of a common laborer's wages. This detail underscores the immense trust and significant opportunity the master bestowed upon his servants. The expectation was not merely preservation but profitable growth, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit of the time and the master's desire for his assets to yield returns. The concept of a master's delayed return and subsequent reckoning was also a familiar trope, making the parable's message of accountability resonate strongly with its original audience.
* **Key Themes:** The Parable of the Talents, and specifically [Matthew 25:20](/matthew/25-20 "Matthew 25:20 - The First Servant's Report"), powerfully communicates several core theological and narrative themes. **Stewardship and Responsibility** are paramount, illustrating that God entrusts individuals with varying gifts, abilities, and resources, expecting them to be managed wisely. The servant's proactive investment highlights **Diligence and Faithfulness**, contrasting sharply with the [unfaithful servant's](/matthew/25-24 "Matthew 25:24 - The Unfaithful Servant") inaction. The doubling of the talents emphasizes **Investment and Growth**, signifying God's desire for His gifts within us to be utilized for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom, not merely preserved. Finally, the master's return and the servant's report underscore the theme of **Accountability**, foreshadowing the ultimate judgment where believers will give an account for how they have lived and used what they were given, as seen in passages like [Romans 14:12](/romans/14-12 "Romans 14:12 - Each of Us Will Give an Account").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **talents (Greek, _tálanton_):** This term refers to a significant unit of weight, typically of precious metal like silver or gold, and by extension, a large sum of money. In the context of the parable, it signifies the substantial resources, opportunities, or spiritual gifts entrusted by the Master. Its immense value highlights the deep trust placed in the servants and the serious nature of their responsibility.
* **gained (Greek, _kerdaínō_):** Derived from a word meaning "profit" or "gain," this verb signifies the act of acquiring wealth or advantage through effort or investment. Here, it literally means to make a profit, but figuratively, it speaks to the spiritual fruitfulness that comes from diligently using one's entrusted gifts and opportunities for God's kingdom. It implies active engagement and successful multiplication, not mere preservation.
* **behold (Greek, _íde_):** This interjection is used to draw attention to something significant or surprising. In the servant's declaration, "behold, I have gained beside them five talents more," it conveys a sense of joyful presentation and confident affirmation of his successful endeavor. It emphasizes the tangible evidence of his diligent work and the master's resulting satisfaction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents,"**: This clause immediately establishes the first servant's proactive and successful return. "Came and brought" indicates a confident and ready presentation, suggesting that the servant was eager to report his diligent work. The phrase "other five talents" clearly states that the servant has not only returned the original five but has added an equal amount, demonstrating a 100% return on investment. This sets a high standard for faithfulness and productivity.
* **"saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents:"**: The servant's address to the "Lord" (G2962, _kýrios_, meaning master or supreme authority) acknowledges the source of the initial trust. He explicitly states the original amount received, indicating clear memory and recognition of his starting point and the master's generosity. This sets the stage for demonstrating his accountability.
* **"behold, I have gained beside them five talents more."**: This climactic declaration is the heart of the servant's report. The interjection "behold" (G2396, _íde_) draws attention to the impressive outcome. "Gained" (G2770, _kerdaínō_) directly states the profit, emphasizing that the increase was a result of his active effort. The phrase "beside them" (G1909, _epí_ with G846, _autós_) further clarifies that these are additional talents, distinct from the original five, showcasing a doubling of the master's initial investment. This statement is a joyful and honest account of faithful stewardship and successful multiplication.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Repetition** of "five talents" (four times) underscores the specific amount entrusted and gained, emphasizing the precise accounting and the magnitude of the servant's success. The **dialogue** format, with the servant directly addressing his master, creates immediacy and personalizes the interaction, allowing the reader to witness the servant's confident report. The use of the interjection "**behold**" (Greek: _íde_) acts as an **exclamation** or a call to attention, highlighting the significant and positive outcome of the servant's labor and emphasizing the tangible evidence of his faithfulness. The entire interaction functions as **allegory**, where the "talents" represent spiritual gifts, opportunities, or resources, the "master" represents God or Christ, and the "servant" represents a believer, all conveying deeper theological truths about stewardship and accountability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 25:20 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine entrustment and human responsibility. It illustrates that God, as the sovereign Master, generously bestows gifts and opportunities upon His servants, not for static preservation, but for active deployment and multiplication for His glory. The servant's diligence in doubling the talents reflects the spiritual principle that true faithfulness involves proactive engagement with God's grace, leading to spiritual fruitfulness and expansion of His kingdom. This verse challenges believers to move beyond mere passive reception of blessings to active, purposeful stewardship, recognizing that all we possess ultimately belongs to God and is given to us for His purposes.

* [Luke 19:16](/luke/19-16 "Luke 19:16 - The First Servant in the Parable of the Minas")
* [1 Corinthians 4:2](/1_corinthians/4-2 "1 Corinthians 4:2 - Requirement of Stewardship")
* [Romans 12:6-8](/romans/12-6-8 "Romans 12:6-8 - Gifts for Service")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 25:20 calls us to a profound self-examination regarding our stewardship of the life, gifts, and resources God has entrusted to us. Just as the first servant did not hoard or neglect what he received but actively invested it, we are challenged to identify and utilize our unique "talents"—be they spiritual gifts, natural abilities, time, financial resources, or opportunities for service—for God's glory and the good of others. This isn't about comparing ourselves to others or striving for a specific quantity of output, but about demonstrating faithfulness and diligence with what we *have* been given. The servant's joyful presentation of his gains reminds us that our labor for the Lord is not in vain and that a diligent heart finds satisfaction in serving the Master well. How are we actively investing our lives for the Kingdom, rather than merely preserving them? Are we seeking opportunities to multiply the influence of Christ in our spheres, eagerly anticipating the day of reckoning when we will give an account?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "talents" (gifts, resources, opportunities) has God specifically entrusted to me?**
* **Am I actively investing these talents for God's kingdom, or am I passively preserving them?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to be a more diligent and fruitful steward of what God has given me?**
* **How does the prospect of giving an account to the Master motivate my daily actions and long-term planning?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "five talents" specifically?**

Answer: The specific number "five" is not inherently symbolic beyond indicating a significant, substantial amount. The parable's emphasis is not on the *quantity* received (as different servants received different amounts), but on the *faithfulness* and *diligence* in managing whatever quantity was given. The servant with five talents doubled his, just as the servant with two talents also doubled his, demonstrating that the master's commendation is based on the proportional return and effort, not merely the absolute amount of profit. It highlights that even with great responsibility, faithful stewardship leads to great reward.

**Does "talents" in this parable refer to innate abilities, like being good at music or art?**

Answer: While the modern English word "talent" often refers to innate abilities, the Greek word _tálanton_ (G5007) in this parable specifically refers to a large unit of currency or weight, representing a significant sum of money. Therefore, in its primary context, the parable is about the responsible stewardship of financial or material resources. However, its spiritual application extends beyond literal money to encompass all the valuable gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities God entrusts to His people, including spiritual gifts, time, influence, and yes, even natural abilities, all of which are to be used for His glory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Matthew 25:20 directly portrays the faithful stewardship of a servant, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning are found in Christ. Jesus Himself is the epitome of the faithful Servant, who perfectly stewarded all that was entrusted to Him by the Father. He did not merely preserve His divine nature or mission but actively invested His life, culminating in the ultimate act of self-sacrifice on the cross. The "gains" He made were not material wealth but the redemption of humanity and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, fulfilling the Father's will (e.g., [John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus Glorifies the Father")). Furthermore, the parable's call to diligent stewardship is empowered by Christ's indwelling Spirit in believers. We are called to be faithful stewards not in our own strength, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, who distributes spiritual gifts for the common good ([1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts, Unity in the Spirit")). Our ability to "gain beside them" (i.e., to bear fruit) is directly dependent on our abiding in Christ, as He Himself taught in [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abide in Me")). Thus, the faithful servant's actions in [Matthew 25:20](/matthew/25-20 "Matthew 25:20 - The First Servant's Report") foreshadow the perfect stewardship of Christ and serve as a model for believers who are empowered by Him to live lives of fruitful obedience in anticipation of His glorious return ([Revelation 22:12](/revelation/22-12 "Revelation 22:12 - Jesus' Return and Reward")).

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

Acts 20:24

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Colossians 1:29

Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

2 Timothy 4:1

¶ I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2 Timothy 4:8

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Luke 19:16

Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

Luke 19:17

And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

James 2:18

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.