Matthew 25:28

KJV

Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents.

KJV (with Strong's)

Take {G142} therefore {G3767} the talent {G5007} from {G575} him {G846}, and {G2532} give {G1325} it unto him which hath {G2192} ten {G1176} talents {G5007}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents.

American Standard Version

Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 25:28 captures the decisive judgment of the master against the unfaithful servant in the Parable of the Talents, illustrating the severe consequences of neglecting entrusted responsibilities. This verse marks the climax of the master's rebuke, where the single talent, previously buried out of fear and sloth, is confiscated and reallocated to the servant who demonstrated the greatest faithfulness and productivity. It underscores the principle that divine resources are given not for preservation but for active, fruitful stewardship within the Kingdom of Heaven.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 25:28 is situated within the Olivet Discourse, Jesus' final major teaching before His passion, delivered on the Mount of Olives. This discourse, spanning [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - Signs of the End of the Age") and [Matthew 25](/matthew/25 "Matthew 25 - Parables of Preparation"), focuses on eschatological themes: the destruction of the temple, the signs of Jesus' return, and the importance of readiness and watchfulness for the Kingdom of Heaven. The Parable of the Talents ([Matthew 25:14-30](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - 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 preparedness. While the virgins parable highlights spiritual vigilance, the talents parable stresses active, productive stewardship. Verse 28 specifically concludes the master's condemnation of the third servant, directly preceding the broader summary statement in [Matthew 25:29](/matthew/25-29 "Matthew 25:29 - The Principle of More Given").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable reflects the social and economic realities of first-century Jewish society, where wealthy landowners would often entrust their assets to trusted servants or managers while traveling. A "talent" (Greek: _talanton_) was not a natural ability but a substantial unit of weight or money, typically silver or gold. It represented an enormous sum, perhaps equivalent to 15-20 years' wages for a common laborer, highlighting the immense trust the master placed in his servants. The expectation was that such capital would be invested or traded to generate profit, not merely kept safe. Burying money was a common practice for security in a time without banks, but it implied a lack of trust or initiative, especially when the master had provided ample opportunity and time for investment. The master's judgment, while harsh to modern ears, would have been understood within a context where accountability for entrusted wealth was paramount.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Matthew and the broader New Testament. It powerfully underscores **stewardship and accountability**, emphasizing that God entrusts His people with various resources—spiritual gifts, time, opportunities, material wealth—and expects them to be actively managed and multiplied for His glory, not merely preserved. The master's action in [Matthew 25:28](/matthew/25-28 "Matthew 25:28 - The Unfaithful Servant's Loss") also highlights the **consequences of unfaithfulness and inaction**, contrasting sharply with the reward for diligence seen in [Matthew 25:21](/matthew/25-21 "Matthew 25:21 - Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant") and [Matthew 25:23](/matthew/25-23 "Matthew 25:23 - Enter Into the Joy of Your Lord"). Furthermore, it reinforces the **nature of the Kingdom of Heaven** as a realm of dynamic growth, productivity, and active participation, not passive waiting or fear-driven stagnation. This principle is further articulated in [Luke 19:26](/luke/19-26 "Luke 19:26 - To Everyone Who Has, More Will Be Given"), where Jesus reiterates that "to everyone who has, more will be given; but from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take (Greek, _aírō'_):** This verb, G142, means "to lift up; by implication, to take up or away." In this context, it signifies a decisive act of removal or confiscation. It's not a gentle request but an authoritative command for the talent to be forcibly taken from the unfaithful servant, symbolizing the loss of opportunity and privilege due to his inaction.
* **Talent (Greek, _tálanton'_):** This noun, G5007, refers to a specific weight or sum of money. As noted in the context, it was an enormous amount, not an inherent skill. Its use here underscores the significant value of what was entrusted, making the servant's failure to invest it all the more egregious. The master's command to "take the talent" literally means to take the large sum of money.
* **Give (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb, G1325, means "to give" in a very wide application, including to bestow or grant. Here, it denotes the transfer of the confiscated talent to the servant who already possessed ten, illustrating the principle of rewarding faithfulness with increased responsibility and resources. It highlights a divine economy where diligence is amplified and idleness is diminished.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take therefore the talent from him":** This clause represents the master's direct, authoritative command, initiating the punitive action against the unfaithful servant. The "therefore" (G3767, _oûn_) links this command directly to the servant's preceding confession of fear and subsequent failure to invest. The talent, a symbol of entrusted resources and opportunities, is now being forcibly removed, signifying the forfeiture of what was given due to irresponsible stewardship.
* **"and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents":** This second clause specifies the reallocation of the confiscated talent. It is not merely taken away but immediately transferred to the servant who had proven most fruitful, having doubled his initial five talents to ten. This action demonstrates a principle of divine justice and economy: those who are faithful with what they have will be entrusted with more, while those who are unfaithful will lose even what they possess. It underscores the master's desire for productivity and growth within his domain.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, as part of the larger parable, employs several key literary devices. **Parable** itself is the overarching device, using a relatable earthly story to convey profound spiritual truths about the Kingdom of Heaven. Within this, **Symbolism** is paramount: the "talents" symbolize not just money but all the gifts, resources, opportunities, and time God entrusts to humanity. The "master" symbolizes God, and the "servants" represent believers. The act of "taking" and "giving" in this verse serves as a powerful **Metonymy** for divine judgment and the redistribution of responsibility and blessing based on faithfulness. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between the diligent servants, who are rewarded with more, and the unfaithful servant, who loses even what he had, highlighting the disparity in outcomes based on action versus inaction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 25:28 profoundly articulates a core theological principle of divine economy and justice: God's resources and opportunities are given for active engagement and multiplication, not for passive preservation. The master's action reflects God's expectation that His people will be productive stewards of all that He has entrusted to them, whether spiritual gifts, financial means, time, or influence. This principle extends beyond individual material wealth to encompass the spiritual vitality and mission of the church. Unfaithfulness, characterized by fear, laziness, or a lack of initiative, leads not merely to a lack of reward but to a forfeiture of what was initially given. This verse, therefore, serves as a stark reminder of accountability before God and the dynamic, growth-oriented nature of His Kingdom.

* [Matthew 13:12](/matthew/13-12 "Matthew 13:12 - To the One Who Has, More Will Be Given")
* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required")
* [Proverbs 11:24](/proverbs/11-24 "Proverbs 11:24 - There Is One Who Scatters, Yet Increases More")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 25:28 is a challenging yet vital verse for every believer. It compels us to honestly assess our stewardship of God's grace, gifts, and resources. Are we actively investing the "talents" He has given us—our time, spiritual gifts, financial means, relationships, and opportunities—for the advancement of His kingdom and the good of others? Or are we, like the unfaithful servant, burying them out of fear, apathy, or a desire for comfort, thus failing to produce fruit? This verse calls us to overcome the paralysis of fear and the temptation of laziness, recognizing that God desires active participation and fruitfulness from His children. Our faithfulness in the "small things" of today directly impacts our capacity for greater responsibility and joy in His service, both now and in eternity. Ultimately, it reminds us that a day of reckoning will come, when we will all give an account of our stewardship to the Master.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "talents" (gifts, resources, opportunities) has God entrusted to you?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be "burying" your talents out of fear or laziness?**
* **How can you actively and faithfully invest what God has given you for His glory and the good of others?**
* **What steps can you take this week to move from passive preservation to active stewardship?**

### FAQ

**Why was the master so harsh with the servant who only had one talent?**

Answer: The master's harshness was not arbitrary but a direct consequence of the servant's unfaithfulness and sloth. The servant's excuse of fear was a cover for his laziness and lack of initiative. He knew the master's character ("a hard man") but chose not to act, even minimally, by putting the money in the bank to earn interest ([Matthew 25:27](/matthew/25-27 "Matthew 25:27 - You Ought to Have Put My Money at Interest")). The master had entrusted him with a significant sum, expecting a return, and the servant's inaction represented a profound breach of trust and a failure to participate in the master's enterprise. The parable emphasizes that God expects active, fruitful stewardship from those to whom He entrusts His resources, and there are severe consequences for those who fail to engage.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 25:28, while a parable of judgment and stewardship, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "master" in the parable is a clear foreshadowing of Christ Himself, who, having ascended to the Father, will one day return to judge the living and the dead ([Acts 10:42](/acts/10-42 "Acts 10:42 - He Is the One Appointed by God as Judge")). His judgment will be based not merely on what we have done, but on how we have stewarded the grace and truth revealed through Him. The "talents" ultimately point to the immeasurable gifts of salvation, the Holy Spirit, and the call to participate in His Kingdom work, all made possible by Christ's redemptive sacrifice. Jesus, the ultimate faithful servant, perfectly stewarded His divine mission, laying down His life to redeem humanity ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). His command to "take therefore the talent from him" echoes the reality that those who reject His lordship and fail to live faithfully in light of His coming will face eternal consequences, losing even the opportunity for salvation they once possessed ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - Whoever Believes Is Not Condemned")). Conversely, those who faithfully live out their calling in Christ will receive an abundant entrance into His eternal joy ([2 Peter 1:11](/2_peter/1-11 "2 Peter 1:11 - Rich Welcome Into the Eternal Kingdom")).

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

Luke 19:24

And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give [it] to him that hath ten pounds.

Luke 10:42

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.