Matthew 25:17
in Matthew 25Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
In like manner he also that received the two gained other two.
KJV
And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
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This verse in Matthew 25
Commentary
13 notes on this verseAnd likewise he that received two,.... Talents, or a lesser measure of ministerial gifts: he also gained other two; he worked and laboured, and traded, in proportion to the gifts he had received; and his improvements and success, under a divine blessing, were answerable.
This site's exposition
went and traded
on Matthew 25:16-18
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents shows immediate active use of the capital entrusted. He that had received two gained likewise in the same proportion, but he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money, burying rather than risking it. The commentators read the buried talent as the parable's real subject, not incompetence but a choice against any use at all, safety purchased at the cost of all possible gain.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
Or, gained other two, that is, carnal instruction, and another yet a little higher.
(Verse 17) Likewise, the one who received two, gained two more. And this person, according to their abilities, doubled whatever they had learned in the Law in the Gospel: whether knowledge and works of the present life or understanding the types of future blessedness.
A commentator
John ChrysostomHomily on the Gospel of Matthew 78 · Written in the 5th century.
proposed
This parable was spoken with respect to mercy in alms; but the one that comes after this, to them that neither in money, nor in word, nor in protection, nor in any other things whatever, are willing to assist their neighbors, but withhold all. And wherefore can it be that this parable brings forward a king, but that a bridegroom? That thou mightest learn how close Christ is joined unto the virgins that strip themselves of their possessions; for this indeed is virginity. Wherefore Paul also makes this as a definition of the thing. "The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord;" such are his words: and, "For that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. These things we advise," he saith. And if in Luke the parable of the talents is otherwise put, this is to be said, that the one is really different from the other. For in that, from the one capital different degrees of increase were made, for from one pound one brought five, another ten; wherefore neither did they obtain the same recompense; but here, it is the contrary, and the crown is accordingly equal. For he that received two gave two, and he that had received the five again in like manner; but there since from the same beginning one made the greater, one the less, increase; as might be expected, in the rewards also, they do not enjoy the same. But see Him everywhere, not requiring it again immediately. For in the case of the vineyard, He let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country; and here He committed to them the talents, and took His journey, that thou mightest learn His long-suffering. And to me He seems to say these things, to intimate the resurrection. But here it is no more a vineyard and husbandmen, but all servants. For not to rulers only, nor to Jews, but to all, doth He address His discourse. […]
The Medieval Church2 voices
Immediately he who had received the five talents went and traded with them. See the speed with which he acts, not in the least bit negligent, but immediately trading and doubling what he had received. For whether a man be gifted with speech, wealth, the …
And there are some who, as if enriched with two talents, receive understanding and action, understand subtle things about internal matters, work wonders in external things; and when by both understanding and working they preach to others, they bring back, as it were, a doubled profit from their business. Moreover, it is rightly reported that another five or another two came as profit, because when preaching is expended on both sexes, the talents received are, as it were, doubled.
6 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church2 voices
(ubi sup.) Again, there are some who by their understanding and their actions preach to others, and thence gain as it were a twofold profit in such merchandize. This their preaching bestowed upon both sexes is thus a talent doubled.
In like manner he that had received the two, namely, he who profits in understanding and in action, gained other two, i.e., a reward for each. Or two, because he profits by preaching not only to men but also to women, according to Gregory. According …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Those that have so much work to do, as every Christian has, need to set about it quickly, and lose not time. Note, A true Christian is a spiritual tradesman. Trades are called mysteries, and without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; it is a manufacture trade; there is something to be done by upon our own hearts, and for the good of others.
That we may then be ready to receive from him our final sentence, and that it may be to eternal life; and this is shown in a more plain description of the process of the last judgment,
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
The parable of the talents which we have now read is near akin to that of the ten virgins. Both direct our minds to the same important event: the second advent of Jesus Christ. Both bring before us the same persons: the members of the professing church of Christ. The virgins and the servants are one and the same people—but the same people regarded from a different point, and viewed on different sides. The practical lesson of each parable is the main point of difference: vigilance is the keynote of the first parable, diligence that of the second.
The parable of the talents which we have now read is near akin to that of the ten virgins. Both direct our minds to the same important event: the second advent of Jesus Christ. Both bring before us the same persons: the members of the professing church of Christ. The virgins and the servants are one and the same people—but the same people regarded from a different point, and viewed on different sides. The practical lesson of each parable is the main point of difference: vigilance is the keynote of the first parable, diligence that of the second. The story of the virgins calls on the church to watch; the story of the talents calls on the church to work. We learn in the first place from this parable that all professing Christians have received something from God. We are all God’s “servants”: we have all “talents” entrusted to our charge. The word “talents” is an expression that has been curiously turned aside from its original meaning. It is generally applied to none but people of remarkable ability or gifts: they are called “talented” people. Such a use of the expression is a mere modern invention. In the sense in which our Lord used the word in this parable, it applies to all baptized persons without distinction. We have all “talents” in God’s sight: we are all talented people. Anything whereby we may glorify God is a “talent.” Our gifts, our influence, our money, our knowledge, our health, our strength, our time, our senses, our reason, our intellect, our memory, our affections, our privileges as members of Christ’s church, our advantages as possessors of the Bible—all, all are talents. Whence came these things? What hand bestowed them? Why are we what we are? Why are we not the worms that crawl on the earth? There is only one answer to these questions: all that we have is a loan from God: we are God’s stewards; we are God’s debtors.
The words behind it
7 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ὡσαύτως | hosautos | Likewise | G5615 → | 17 times |
| ὁ | ho | the [one with] | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| τὰ | ta | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| δύο | duo | two | G1417 → | 133 times |
| ἐκέρδησεν | ekerdesen | gained | G2770 → | 17 times |
| ἄλλα | alla | more | G243 → | 155 times |
| δύο. | duo | two. | G1417 → | 133 times |
ὡσαύτωςLikewise
hosautosG5615 →17 times
ὁthe [one with]
hoG3588 →19766 times
τὰthe
taG3588 →19766 times
δύοtwo
duoG1417 →133 times
ἐκέρδησενgained
ekerdesenG2770 →17 times
ἄλλαmore
allaG243 →155 times
δύο.two.
duoG1417 →133 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Ephesians 5:16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
it leads to
- Colossians 4:5
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
- Amos 5:13
Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.
- John 12:35
Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the…
- Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come and the years approach of which you will say, “I find no pleasure in them,”
- Ephesians 6:13
Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.
- Colossians 4:5
Through
Colossians 4:17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
it leads to
- Philemon 1:2
to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house:
- Philemon 1:2
Through
2 Corinthians 8:12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
it leads to
- Mark 12:42–44
Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius.
- Exodus 35:29
So all the men and women of the Israelites whose hearts prompted them brought a freewill offering to the LORD for all the work that the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.
- Mark 12:42–44
Where this verse is studied
About Matthew
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Gregory the Dialogist, Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 9; Gregory the Dialogist, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Matthew; Jerome, Commentary on Matthew; John Chrysostom, Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 78; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Origen of Alexandria, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Matthew and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Matthew.