Matthew 25:28
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Original Language Analysis
ἄρατε
Take
G142
ἄρατε
Take
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
1 of 13
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 13
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἀπ'
from
G575
ἀπ'
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
3 of 13
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 13
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
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τάλαντα·
talents
G5007
τάλαντα·
talents
Strong's:
G5007
Word #:
6 of 13
a balance (as supporting weights), i.e., (by implication) a certain weight (and thence a coin or rather sum of money) or "talent"
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δότε
give
G1325
δότε
give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
8 of 13
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔχοντι
it unto him which hath
G2192
ἔχοντι
it unto him which hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
10 of 13
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
Historical Context
Roman estate management operated on proven performance. Slaves who demonstrated competence received greater responsibilities; those who failed were demoted or sold. The parable uses familiar economic logic to illustrate spiritual reality: faithfulness compounds; unfaithfulness leads to loss of opportunity.
Questions for Reflection
- Have you seen spiritual 'talents' atrophy from disuse while others' gifts multiply through exercise?
- Does the master's redistribution offend your sense of fairness, or do you recognize the wisdom of entrusting resources to the faithful?
- What opportunities might you lose if you don't steward your current gifts faithfully?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents—Arate oun ap' autou to talanton kai dote tō echonti ta deka talanta (ἄρατε οὖν ἀπ' αὐτοῦ τὸ τάλαντον καὶ δότε τῷ ἔχοντι τὰ δέκα τάλαντα). The unfaithful servant loses even what he had. The faithful servant with ten (five original + five gained) receives the forfeited talent.
This seems 'unfair' by human standards—why give more to someone who already has abundance? But kingdom economics reward faithfulness: those who prove trustworthy receive greater responsibility and resources. This isn't arbitrary favoritism but logical stewardship—you entrust assets to those proven capable. Opportunities multiply for the faithful; they atrophy for the slothful.