Matthew 18:24
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 10
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
συναίρειν
to reckon
G4868
συναίρειν
to reckon
Strong's:
G4868
Word #:
4 of 10
to make up together, i.e., (figuratively) to compute (an account)
προσηνέχθη
was brought
G4374
προσηνέχθη
was brought
Strong's:
G4374
Word #:
5 of 10
to bear towards, i.e., lead to, tender (especially to god), treat
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 10
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὀφειλέτης
which owed
G3781
ὀφειλέτης
which owed
Strong's:
G3781
Word #:
8 of 10
an ower, i.e., person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor (against god)
Historical Context
In the Roman Empire's eastern provinces (including Judea), debt bondage was legal and common. Talent values varied by region: Attic talent = 60 minae = 6,000 drachmas. Ten thousand talents would equal the entire tax revenue of Herod the Great's kingdom for 15-20 years. Debt servitude lasted until repayment, often becoming hereditary—children born into the master's household as slaves.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the impossibility of this debt mirror your inability to satisfy God's justice through personal effort?
- What does the involuntary accounting ('was brought') teach about the inescapability of divine judgment?
- How do you tend to minimize the magnitude of sin in your life compared to God's holy standard?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
One was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents (μύρια τάλαντα)—an impossible debt of approximately 60 million denarii (a denarius = day's wage). The Greek myria means 'ten thousand,' the highest Greek numeral, and talanton (talent) was the largest monetary unit, worth 6,000 denarii. This astronomical sum—equivalent to 200,000 years' wages—represents the infinite debt of sin before God.
The passive voice was brought (προσηνέχθη) suggests involuntary confrontation with debt, as sinners cannot willingly face the magnitude of their guilt. This servant likely held a position of high authority (satrap or tax collector) to accumulate such debt through embezzlement or mismanagement. The sum exceeds the annual tribute of entire provinces—Judea, Idumea, and Samaria paid 600 talents combined.