Matthew 25:22

KJV

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} He also {G2532} that had received {G2983} two {G1417} talents {G5007} came {G4334} and said {G2036}, Lord {G2962}, thou deliveredst {G3860} unto me {G3427} two {G1417} talents {G5007}: behold {G2396}, I have gained {G2770} two {G1417} other {G243} talents {G5007} beside {G1909} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

And he also that received the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 25:22 presents the second servant in the Parable of the Talents, who, having received two talents from his master, faithfully and diligently invested them. Upon the master's return, this servant reports his successful stewardship, declaring that he has doubled the initial entrustment by gaining two additional talents, thereby demonstrating his faithfulness and productivity with the resources given to him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the Parable of the Talents, found in [Matthew 25:14-30](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents"). This parable is the second of three eschatological parables in [Matthew 25](/matthew/25 "Matthew 25 - Parables of Readiness and Judgment"), immediately following the Parable of the Ten Virgins ([Matthew 25:1-13](/matthew/25-1-13 "Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins")) and preceding the vivid description of the Final Judgment ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")). Together, these parables form a cohesive unit within the larger [Olivet Discourse](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse"), emphasizing the critical importance of readiness, faithful stewardship, and accountability in light of the Master's (Christ's) inevitable return. The narrative flow highlights a progression from initial entrustment to a period of activity, culminating in a reckoning.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of a "talent" (Greek: _talanton_) in the ancient world referred to a significant unit of weight or money, not merely an innate ability as the modern English word suggests. In Jesus' time, a talent of silver was an enormous sum, roughly equivalent to 6,000 denarii. Considering a denarius was a typical day's wage for a common laborer, one talent represented about 15-20 years of labor. This immense value underscores the profound trust the master placed in his servants and the substantial resources they were given. Masters entrusting their wealth to servants for management was a common practice in the Greco-Roman world, reflecting a system where wealthy landowners often traveled, leaving their estates in the care of trusted managers. The expectation was not merely preservation but profitable increase, reflecting the economic realities and investment practices of the era.

* **Key Themes:** The Parable of the Talents, and specifically this verse, contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Matthew and the broader New Testament. Firstly, **Stewardship and Accountability** is paramount; God entrusts His followers with diverse resources—time, spiritual gifts, material wealth, opportunities, and influence—and expects them to manage these wisely and productively for His kingdom. Secondly, **Faithfulness with What Is Given** is highlighted, as the servant with two talents receives the same commendation as the one with five ([Matthew 25:23](/matthew/25-23 "Matthew 25:23 - The Master's Commendation")), demonstrating that God values diligent effort and faithfulness relative to the entrusted amount, not just the absolute quantity of gain. Lastly, the theme of **Productivity and Growth** is central, as the master expects a return on his investment. This signifies that believers are called not merely to preserve what they have been given but to actively use it to produce spiritual fruit, expand God's kingdom, and bring Him glory, reflecting the call to bear fruit found in passages like [John 15:8](/john/15-8 "John 15:8 - Bearing Much Fruit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **talents (Greek, _tálanton'_):** From G5007. This word refers to a specific unit of weight or money, representing an immense sum. In the context of the parable, it symbolizes the significant resources, opportunities, and gifts that God entrusts to individuals. The sheer value of a talent emphasizes the profound trust the Master places in His servants and the serious responsibility that accompanies such entrustment.
* **deliveredst (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** From G3860. This verb means "to surrender, yield up, intrust, transmit." It highlights the master's active role in entrusting his wealth to his servants. For the believer, it signifies that all we possess—our abilities, time, resources, and spiritual gifts—are not inherently ours but have been graciously given to us by God for a specific purpose. It speaks to the divine initiative in bestowing responsibility.
* **gained (Greek, _kerdaínō'_):** From G2770. This verb means "to gain (literally or figuratively), win." It describes the active, productive response of the faithful servant. The servant did not merely preserve the talents but actively worked to increase them. This word underscores the expectation of growth and fruitfulness, signifying that God desires His gifts to be used dynamically to produce spiritual return and advance His kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He also that had received two talents came and said,"**: This clause introduces the second servant, mirroring the narrative structure used for the first. The phrase "He also" (G1161 _dé_ and G2532 _kaí_) emphasizes that this servant's experience is part of the ongoing narrative, drawing a parallel to the first servant's successful stewardship. His proactive "coming" and "saying" indicate readiness and a willingness to account for his actions.
* **"Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents:"**: This is the servant's direct address to his master, acknowledging the master's authority ("Lord," G2962 _kýrios_) and explicitly stating the initial entrustment. The servant clearly remembers and articulates what he received, demonstrating an awareness of his starting point and the master's generosity. This sets the stage for his report, grounding it in the master's original act of trust.
* **"behold, I have gained two other talents beside them."**: The servant's triumphant declaration, marked by the interjection "behold" (G2396 _íde_), which conveys a sense of eager presentation and satisfaction. He reports a 100% return on the master's investment, having "gained" (G2770 _kerdaínō_) an equal amount to what was initially given. The phrase "two other talents beside them" (G243 _állos_ and G1909 _epí_ with G846 _autós_) clearly indicates an additional, distinct gain, showcasing his diligence and successful stewardship.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in this verse, and indeed the entire passage, is **Parable**. Jesus uses this extended metaphor to convey profound spiritual truths through a relatable, earthly story. The characters (master, servants), the plot (entrustment, journey, reckoning), and the objects (talents) all serve as symbolic representations of heavenly realities. Specifically within this verse, the **Dialogue** between the servant and the master is crucial, revealing the servant's character and the master's expectations. The **Repetition** of "two talents" emphasizes the precise nature of the entrustment and the exact doubling of the investment, reinforcing the theme of proportional accountability. The servant's eager "behold" also functions as a form of **Exclamation**, highlighting his pride and confidence in his faithful work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 25:22 underscores a fundamental theological truth: God is a generous Giver who entrusts His children with diverse gifts and responsibilities, expecting faithful stewardship and productive return. It challenges believers to recognize that their abilities, resources, and opportunities are not their own but are divine loans to be invested for the expansion of His kingdom. The servant's immediate and joyful report models the attitude of a faithful steward who understands that accountability is not a burden but an opportunity to demonstrate love and obedience to the Master. This verse also implicitly teaches that God's assessment is based on faithfulness and effort relative to what was given, not on a standardized output, affirming the value of every individual's contribution, regardless of its perceived scale.

* [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 - Required of Stewards")
* [Romans 12:6-8](/romans/12-6-8 "Romans 12:6-8 - Gifts According to Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 25:22 serves as a powerful mirror for self-examination, prompting us to consider how we are stewarding the "talents" God has entrusted to us. It's not just about grand, public ministries, but about the daily, often unseen, ways we use our time, energy, financial resources, spiritual gifts, and relationships. Are we actively investing them for God's glory, seeking to multiply His kingdom's influence, or are we burying them out of fear, idleness, or self-interest? The servant's joyful presentation of his gain reminds us that faithful stewardship is not a grudging obligation but a joyful response to the Master's trust. This verse encourages us to cultivate a mindset of proactive productivity, always seeking opportunities to grow and utilize what we've been given, knowing that our ultimate accountability is to the One who generously bestowed these gifts. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that our earthly endeavors have eternal consequences.

#### 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 steps can I take this week to more faithfully and productively use what God has given me?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "two talents" in this verse?**

Answer: The "two talents" in [Matthew 25:22](/matthew/25-22 "Matthew 25:22 - The Servant with Two Talents") are significant because they represent a substantial, yet not the largest, amount of resources entrusted to a servant. The master distributed talents "according to his ability" ([Matthew 25:15](/matthew/25-15 "Matthew 25:15 - Distribution of Talents")), indicating that the amount given was appropriate for each servant's capacity. The servant with two talents is commended just as highly as the one with five ([Matthew 25:23](/matthew/25-23 "Matthew 25:23 - The Master's Commendation")), emphasizing that God values faithfulness and diligence in proportion to what is given, rather than the absolute quantity of the initial gift or the final return. It highlights that everyone, regardless of the perceived scale of their gifts, is called to be a diligent steward.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual gifts?**

Answer: While the "talents" in the parable are literal money, they serve as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual gifts, abilities, and opportunities that God bestows upon believers. Just as the master entrusted his wealth to his servants, God entrusts His Spirit-given gifts to His children ([1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts")). [Matthew 25:22](/matthew/25-22 "Matthew 25:22 - The Servant with Two Talents") illustrates that these gifts are not meant to be dormant or hoarded but are to be actively used and developed for the building up of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom. The servant's productive use of his two talents encourages believers to identify their spiritual gifts and faithfully employ them for God's glory, expecting a spiritual "gain" or fruitfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 25:22, within the broader Parable of the Talents, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, and in the believer's relationship with Him. The master in the parable is a clear type of Christ, who, having received all authority from the Father, has ascended to heaven, entrusting His followers with the "talents" of the Gospel message, spiritual gifts, and the mission of the kingdom ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18-20 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")). Just as the master went on a "long journey," Christ's absence from earth is a period of waiting, during which His disciples are called to be faithful stewards. The servant's diligent investment and doubling of the talents foreshadows the believer's call to fruitful service in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ")). The master's return and reckoning directly point to Christ's second coming, when every believer will stand before Him to give an account of their stewardship, not for salvation, but for rewards and evaluation of their work ([2 Corinthians 5:10](/2_corinthians/5-10 "2 Corinthians 5:10 - The Bema Seat of Christ")). The commendation of the faithful servant in [Matthew 25:23](/matthew/25-23 "Matthew 25:23 - The Master's Commendation") ("Well done, good and faithful servant...") echoes the ultimate joy of hearing Christ's approval and entering into the fullness of His presence and eternal reward, a joy made possible only through His atoning sacrifice and empowering grace.

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 Corinthians 8:1

¶ Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 Corinthians 8:3

For to [their] power, I bear record, yea, and beyond [their] power [they were] willing of themselves;

2 Corinthians 8:12

For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not.

2 Corinthians 8:7

¶ Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.

2 Corinthians 8:8

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

Luke 19:18

And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

Luke 19:19

And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.