Matthew 25:26
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 have not strawed:
Original Language Analysis
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 22
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
lord
G2962
κύριος
lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 22
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
αὐτῷ
His
G846
αὐτῷ
His
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 22
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
αὐτῷ
His
G846
αὐτῷ
His
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 22
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
Πονηρὲ
Thou wicked
G4190
Πονηρὲ
Thou wicked
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
8 of 22
hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455
δοῦλε
servant
G1401
δοῦλε
servant
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
9 of 22
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ᾔδεις
thou knewest
G1492
ᾔδεις
thou knewest
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
12 of 22
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
13 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συνάγω
gather
G4863
συνάγω
gather
Strong's:
G4863
Word #:
19 of 22
to lead together, i.e., collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably)
ὅθεν
where
G3606
ὅθεν
where
Strong's:
G3606
Word #:
20 of 22
from which place or source or cause (adverb or conjunction)
Historical Context
In Roman law, a servant who failed in his duty couldn't escape judgment by slandering his master. The master here brilliantly turns the servant's own accusation against him: if the master truly were harsh, the servant's failure to produce anything would be even more inexcusable. The servant's defense is logically incoherent.
Questions for Reflection
- How does laziness masquerade as theological caution in your life?
- Does the master calling inaction 'wicked' challenge your tolerance of spiritual passivity?
- What excuses for non-stewardship collapse under logical scrutiny?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou wicked and slothful servant—Ponēre doule kai oknēre (πονηρὲ δοῦλε καὶ ὀκνηρέ): 'evil slave and lazy.' Ponēros (πονηρός) means actively wicked, not just mistaken. Oknēros (ὀκνηρός) means lazy/slothful. The master's verdict combines moral and practical failure: the servant's fear-based theology produced wicked inaction.
Thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not—The master doesn't affirm the servant's false accusation; he uses argumentum ad hominem: 'Even by your own twisted logic, you should have acted.' If you truly believed I demand profit without investment, you should have been terrified to return nothing. Your own excuse condemns you. This devastating logic exposes the servant's excuse as not just wrong but self-contradictory.