Matthew 25:25

KJV

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I was afraid {G5399}, and went {G565} and hid {G2928} thy {G4675} talent {G5007} in {G1722} the earth {G1093}: lo {G2396}, there thou hast {G2192} that is thine {G4674}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I was afraid, so I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here! Take what belongs to you!'

Berean Standard Bible

So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’

American Standard Version

and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 25:25 captures the third servant's self-justifying explanation for his failure in the Parable of the Talents. Entrusted with a significant sum, he admits to being paralyzed by fear, leading him to bury his master's money rather than investing it. His statement, "lo, there thou hast that is thine," reveals a profound misunderstanding of his master's expectations and a complete absence of initiative, setting the stage for the master's severe rebuke and the servant's subsequent judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 25:25 is situated within the "Parable of the Talents" ([Matthew 25:14-30](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents")), which is itself part of Jesus' larger eschatological discourse in [Matthew 24-25](/matthew/24-25 "Matthew 24-25 - Jesus' Eschatological Discourse"). This discourse focuses on the signs of the end times, the necessity of watchfulness, and preparation for the Master's return. The Parable of the Talents immediately follows the Parable of the Ten Virgins ([Matthew 25:1-13](/matthew/25-1-13 "Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins")), both emphasizing readiness and responsible stewardship during the period between Christ's first and second comings. The third servant's inaction and subsequent judgment in [Matthew 25:26-30](/matthew/25-26-30 "Matthew 25:26-30 - The Master's Judgment") serve as a stark warning against spiritual sloth and unfaithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** A "talent" (Greek: _talanton_) in the ancient world was not a personal ability but a unit of weight, typically of silver or gold, representing an enormous sum of money. It was the largest monetary unit, often equivalent to many years' wages for a common laborer, underscoring the immense trust the master placed in his servants. Masters commonly entrusted funds to their servants or agents for investment, expecting a return. Burying money was a known, albeit unproductive, method of safeguarding it, particularly in times of insecurity, but it yielded no profit. The master's expectation was not mere preservation, but profitable management, reflecting the economic realities and social expectations of the time regarding wealth and responsibility.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the parable and broader New Testament teaching. It highlights the theme of **Stewardship**, emphasizing that God entrusts resources, gifts, and opportunities to His people, expecting them to be managed and multiplied for His glory. The servant's "fear" introduces the theme of **Faith vs. Fear**, contrasting the bold, productive faith of the first two servants with the paralyzing apprehension of the third. His failure to act underscores the theme of **Accountability**, demonstrating that even inaction can lead to severe consequences when one is entrusted with responsibility. Finally, the parable, through this servant's example, powerfully illustrates the danger of **Missed Opportunity** and the spiritual peril of spiritual apathy or sloth, as seen in the master's harsh judgment in [Matthew 25:26-30](/matthew/25-26-30 "Matthew 25:26-30 - The Master's Judgment on the Unprofitable Servant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **afraid (Greek, _phobéō_):** G5399. From _phóbos_, meaning to frighten, or passively, to be alarmed. By analogy, it can mean to be in awe of or revere. In this context, it signifies a paralyzing dread or apprehension that stifles initiative and leads to sloth, rather than the reverential fear of the Lord that leads to wisdom and obedience. The servant's fear was not a healthy respect for his master's authority, but a debilitating anxiety that prevented him from acting productively.
* **hid (Greek, _krýptō_):** G2928. A primary verb meaning to conceal, properly by covering. The servant literally buried the talent in the earth (_gē_, G1093), indicating a deliberate act of concealment and preservation, but one that was devoid of any attempt at growth or investment. This action directly contrasts with the diligence of the other servants who actively engaged with their entrusted resources.
* **talent (Greek, _tálanton_):** G5007. Neutered form of a presumed derivative of the original form of a word meaning "to bear." It refers to a balance (as supporting weights), and by implication, a certain weight (and thence a coin or sum of money). Here, it signifies an enormous sum, underscoring the magnitude of the master's trust and the servant's profound failure to utilize such a significant opportunity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I was afraid":** This opening phrase reveals the core motivation behind the servant's inaction. His fear was not a reverential awe of his master, but a debilitating apprehension that led to paralysis. It suggests a misperception of the master's character, viewing him as harsh and demanding rather than generous and expecting a return on investment. This fear became an excuse for his lack of effort.
* **"and went and hid thy talent in the earth":** This describes the servant's deliberate action, or rather, his deliberate inaction regarding the talent. Instead of investing or engaging with the money, he chose the safest, albeit unproductive, method of preservation—burying it. The "earth" (G1093, _gē_) signifies a place of concealment, keeping the talent out of circulation and preventing any potential for growth. This act directly contravenes the master's implied expectation of profitable stewardship.
* **"lo, there thou hast that is thine":** This concluding statement is the servant's misguided justification. The interjection "lo" (G2396, _íde_) draws attention to his supposed faithfulness in returning the original amount. He believes that by simply preserving the talent and returning it exactly as he received it, he has fulfilled his duty. This demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the master's purpose in entrusting the funds, which was not mere preservation but productive investment and growth. The phrase "that is thine" (G4674, _sós_) emphasizes his belief that he has returned what rightfully belongs to the master, without any personal responsibility for its increase.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 25:25 employs several potent literary devices. **Symbolism** is central, with the "talent" symbolizing not only monetary wealth but also the spiritual gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities God entrusts to His people. The "master" symbolizes Christ, who has gone away but will return to hold His servants accountable. The act of "hiding" the talent in the "earth" symbolizes spiritual inactivity, a failure to engage with divine opportunities, and a burying of potential. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in the servant's statement; he believes he is acting prudently by safeguarding the talent, yet his "prudence" leads to his condemnation, while the "risk-takers" are commended. This highlights the paradox that spiritual safety is found not in preservation but in productive engagement. Finally, the verse is part of a larger **Contrast** between the diligent, faithful servants and the fearful, unproductive servant, setting up the master's judgment that follows.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 25:25 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of Christian stewardship and accountability. It underscores that God's entrusting of resources, whether material, spiritual, or temporal, comes with an expectation of active engagement and multiplication, not mere preservation. The servant's fear-driven inaction highlights a dangerous spiritual posture where apprehension about failure or a misunderstanding of God's character leads to a squandering of divine opportunities. This parable challenges believers to move beyond a passive faith, recognizing that faithfulness involves diligent effort, risk-taking for the Kingdom, and a proactive use of all that has been given. It teaches that spiritual sloth and a failure to develop and deploy one's God-given potential are serious matters for which believers will be held accountable upon the Master's return.

* [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Stewardship of Spiritual Gifts")
* [Proverbs 29:25](/proverbs/29-25 "Proverbs 29:25 - The Fear of Man")
* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of the fearful servant in Matthew 25:25 resonates deeply with the human tendency to shrink from responsibility due to fear. In our lives, the "talents" can represent our spiritual gifts, our time, our financial resources, our unique abilities, our influence, or even the Gospel message itself. The temptation to "bury" these talents out of fear—fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of inadequacy, or fear of what others might think—is ever-present. This verse calls us to a radical re-evaluation of our approach to God's generosity. Are we actively investing what He has given us for His Kingdom, or are we passively preserving it, hoping that simply not losing it will suffice? True faithfulness involves stepping out in faith, taking calculated risks for the glory of God, and diligently cultivating the gifts and opportunities He has placed in our hands. It's a call to proactive, courageous stewardship, trusting that the Master's commendation awaits those who faithfully engage with His entrustment, rather than allowing fear to paralyze them into spiritual inactivity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "talents" (gifts, resources, opportunities) has God entrusted to me?**
* **In what areas of my life might fear be preventing me from actively using what God has given me?**
* **How can I move from a mindset of preservation to one of productive investment for God's Kingdom?**
* **What specific steps can I take this week to overcome a particular fear and utilize a "talent" God has given me?**

### FAQ
**What does the "talent" in this parable truly represent for believers today?**

Answer: While a "talent" was literally a large sum of money in Jesus' time, for believers today, it broadly represents all the resources, gifts, abilities, opportunities, and responsibilities that God entrusts to us. This includes spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Spiritual Gifts")), our time, finances, natural talents, influence, and even the very message of the Gospel itself. The parable teaches that we are stewards of all these things, expected to use them actively and productively for God's glory and the advancement of His Kingdom, rather than passively preserving them.

**Was the servant's fear of his master justified, and what does it tell us about our view of God?**

Answer: The servant's fear, as depicted in [Matthew 25:24-25](/matthew/25-24-25 "Matthew 25:24-25 - The Third Servant's Excuse"), was based on a distorted understanding of his master's character. He perceived his master as "a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed." This perception led to a paralyzing fear rather than a motivating respect. Similarly, if we view God as a harsh, unloving taskmaster rather than a generous, empowering Father who delights in our faithful service, it can lead to spiritual paralysis and inaction. The parable challenges us to cultivate a healthy, reverential fear of God that inspires obedience and diligent service, rather than a crippling fear that leads to spiritual sloth.

**What is the main lesson for Christians from the third servant's actions?**

Answer: The primary lesson is a strong warning against spiritual apathy, inaction, and the squandering of God-given potential due to fear. The servant was condemned not for actively doing wrong, but for doing nothing with what he was given. This highlights that faithfulness in God's Kingdom requires proactive engagement, diligent stewardship, and a willingness to step out in faith, even with perceived risks. It teaches that a passive, risk-averse approach to our spiritual lives and God's entrustments can lead to severe spiritual consequences, emphasizing the importance of actively using our gifts and opportunities for God's glory until Christ returns ([Romans 12:6-8](/romans/12-6-8 "Romans 12:6-8 - Using Our Gifts")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 25:25, within the Parable of the Talents, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate Master and the perfect Steward. The parable anticipates Christ's return and the accounting of His servants, but it is also through Christ that believers are empowered to be productive stewards. Jesus Himself is the one who has been entrusted with "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), and He, in turn, commissions His followers to go and make disciples, promising His presence until the end of the age ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). The "talents" we receive are often spiritual gifts, empowered by the Holy Spirit whom Christ sent ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). The fearful servant's failure to invest contrasts sharply with Christ's own perfect stewardship, as He faithfully accomplished the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross, thereby "multiplying" the Father's glory and bringing forth a harvest of salvation. Our ability to overcome fear and faithfully invest our "talents" is not rooted in our own strength but in the power of Christ working within us ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")). Thus, the parable calls us to live in light of Christ's return, actively serving Him with the gifts He has graciously given, knowing that our ultimate reward is to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!" ([Matthew 25:21](/matthew/25-21 "Matthew 25:21 - Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant")).

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 1:6

¶ Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Romans 8:15

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

2 Samuel 6:9

And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

2 Samuel 6:10

So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

Proverbs 26:13

¶ The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion in the way; a lion [is] in the streets.

Revelation 21:8

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.