Matthew 25:24
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Original Language Analysis
προσελθὼν
came
G4334
προσελθὼν
came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
1 of 25
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τάλαντον
talent
G5007
τάλαντον
talent
Strong's:
G5007
Word #:
7 of 25
a balance (as supporting weights), i.e., (by implication) a certain weight (and thence a coin or rather sum of money) or "talent"
εἰληφὼς
he which had received
G2983
εἰληφὼς
he which had received
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
8 of 25
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
10 of 25
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἔγνων
I knew
G1097
ἔγνων
I knew
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
11 of 25
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
13 of 25
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
σκληρὸς
an hard
G4642
σκληρὸς
an hard
Strong's:
G4642
Word #:
14 of 25
dry, i.e., hard or tough (figuratively, harsh, severe)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συνάγων
gathering
G4863
συνάγων
gathering
Strong's:
G4863
Word #:
22 of 25
to lead together, i.e., collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably)
ὅθεν
where
G3606
ὅθεν
where
Strong's:
G3606
Word #:
23 of 25
from which place or source or cause (adverb or conjunction)
Cross References
Luke 15:29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:Jeremiah 2:31O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?
Historical Context
Absentee landlords were often despised in first-century Palestine for extracting profit while peasants did the work. But this master wasn't a landlord—he entrusted his own wealth to servants for their opportunity to profit. The servant projects cultural stereotypes onto a generous master, revealing how cultural assumptions can distort our view of God.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you secretly view God as harsh and demanding, making obedience feel like drudgery rather than joy?
- How have false beliefs about God's character paralyzed your spiritual initiative?
- Where do you accuse God of being unfair when He's actually been generous?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man—Sklēros ei anthrōpos (σκληρὸς εἶ ἄνθρωπος): 'You are a harsh/austere man.' The servant's theology is catastrophically wrong—he views his master as cruel and exploitative. This reveals the root problem: not inability, but a distorted view of God's character. Fear rooted in false belief produces disobedience masquerading as caution.
Reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed—The accusation (therizōn hopou ouk espeiras, θερίζων ὅπου οὐκ ἔσπειρας) paints the master as unjustly profiting from others' labor. But this is slander—the master gave the talents, providing the seed. The servant's warped theology led to paralysis: if God is harsh and demanding, why try? This is the lie that neutralizes countless believers.