Matthew 25:20
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And so
G2532
καὶ
And so
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
προσελθὼν
came
G4334
προσελθὼν
came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
2 of 24
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τάλαντα
talents
G5007
τάλαντα
talents
Strong's:
G5007
Word #:
6 of 24
a balance (as supporting weights), i.e., (by implication) a certain weight (and thence a coin or rather sum of money) or "talent"
λαβὼν
he that had received
G2983
λαβὼν
he that had received
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
7 of 24
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
προσήνεγκεν
and brought
G4374
προσήνεγκεν
and brought
Strong's:
G4374
Word #:
8 of 24
to bear towards, i.e., lead to, tender (especially to god), treat
τάλαντα
talents
G5007
τάλαντα
talents
Strong's:
G5007
Word #:
11 of 24
a balance (as supporting weights), i.e., (by implication) a certain weight (and thence a coin or rather sum of money) or "talent"
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
13 of 24
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τάλαντα
talents
G5007
τάλαντα
talents
Strong's:
G5007
Word #:
15 of 24
a balance (as supporting weights), i.e., (by implication) a certain weight (and thence a coin or rather sum of money) or "talent"
παρέδωκας·
thou deliveredst
G3860
παρέδωκας·
thou deliveredst
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
17 of 24
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
ἴδε
G1492
ἴδε
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
18 of 24
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τάλαντα
talents
G5007
τάλαντα
talents
Strong's:
G5007
Word #:
21 of 24
a balance (as supporting weights), i.e., (by implication) a certain weight (and thence a coin or rather sum of money) or "talent"
Historical Context
Ancient accounting required servants to distinguish between principal and profit clearly. Mixing the two could suggest embezzlement. By separating 'thy five' from 'five more I gained,' the servant demonstrates both honesty and competence—he can account for every talent, proving his stewardship was above reproach.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you acknowledge God's prior grace when reporting your spiritual accomplishments, or claim credit for yourself?
- How does this servant's transparency in accounting challenge any tendency toward spiritual pride?
- Can you clearly distinguish between what God gave you and what you've done with it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more—The servant's report emphasizes his master's initial entrustment (pente talanta moi paredōkas, πέντε τάλαντα μοι παρέδωκας) before claiming any credit. The word ekerdēsa (ἐκέρδησα, I gained) acknowledges effort but attributes opportunity to the master.
The phrase ep' autois (ἐπ' αὐτοῖς, beside/in addition to them) shows he returns the original five plus five more—transparency and honesty in accounting. He doesn't claim the original five as his own achievement. This models proper stewardship: recognize God's initial grace, work diligently, return all credit to Him.