Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Analyzing The Parable of the Talents, verse by verse

The Parable of the Talents  (taken from our Bible Study of July 23, 2014)
Matthew 25:14-30 (ASV)
14  For it is as when a man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey.
16  Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents.
17  In like manner he also that received the two gained other two.
18  But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.


19  Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them.
20  And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliverest unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents.
21  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22  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.
23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24  And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter;
25  and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own.
26  But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter;
27  thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest.
28  Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents.
29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away.
30  And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey. 16  Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents. 17  In like manner he also that received the two gained other two. 18  But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19  Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. 20  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. 21  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22  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. 23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24  And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter; 25  and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. 26  But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter; 27  thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest. 28  Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents. 29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away. 30  And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

Talent: ταλαντον talanton {tal'-an-ton} a sum of money weighing a talent and varying in different states and according to the changes in the laws regulating currency  a talent of silver in Israel weighed about 100 pounds (45 kg), a talent of gold in Israel weighed about 200 pounds (91 kg)

Vs. 14-15:  “It” in the expression “it will be like” refers to   
The Kingdom of Heaven. The "man" is Jesus. He is journeying to Heaven. The servants represent Christians and the talents are offices and opportunities. The servants are given talents each according to his ability(the Greek is dunamis) so you can figure this means power, work, strength.
Vs. 16-17: What are the first two doing with the master’s property?
Putting it to work, investing it
Vs. 18: What does the third one do with his gift?
Buries it in the ground (a common way to keep secure your money)
     (Cross reference: Matthew 13:44 and Joshua 7:21)
Vs. 19: “settled accounts” / “reckoned” means
Judgment day
Vs. 20-21: Having the Lord call the servant “good and faithful” approves both his character and his diligence.
Vs. 22-23: What’s the difference between the rewards for the one who made 5 more talents and the one who made 2 more talents? No difference
Vs. 24-25: What 3 characteristics does the third one apply to the Master?
Hard (skleros), harvesting where he hadn't sown, and gathering where he hadn't scattered seed
Are these characteristics of God? 2 are Does this guy know God? No, he is blind to his master's kindness. He is blind to his master's grace, mercy, and compassion. And he's equally blind to his master's honor, majesty, glory, and worthiness.
Vs. 26: The Master disapproves of his character and diligence with the words wicked and lazyVs. 26: πονηρος poneros {pon-ay-ros'} - evil , wicked , full of annoyances, hardships, bringing toils, annoyances, perils; of a bad nature or condition, diseased or blind, evil wicked, bad   οκνηρος okneros {ok-nay-ros'} - slothful , grievous, sluggish, backward
 – Notice that God affirms that He harvests where He didn't sow and gathers where He didn't scatter seed, but he doesn't mention “hard”.
Vs. 27: How can you invest the gift God has given you?
serve
Vs. 28-30: What will happen to your gifts if you don’t use them?
They will be taken from you.
     What will happen to you??????  Thrown out into the darkness. Here’s the phrase “gnashing of teeth” again – to what does it refer? (Hell)

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