The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25

¹⁴ _k "For the kingdom of heaven is _l like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. ¹⁵ "And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, _m to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. ¹⁶ "Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷ "And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸ "But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. ¹⁹ "After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' ²¹ "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were _n faithful over a few things, _o I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into _p the joy of your lord.' ²² "He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' ²³ "His lord said to him, _q 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into _r the joy of your lord.' ²⁴ "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ 'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' ²⁶ "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You _s wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ 'So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸ 'Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ²⁹ _t 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ 'And cast the unprofitable servant _u into the outer darkness. _v There will be weeping and _w gnashing of teeth.'

1. Cross References
   Luke 19:12 - 27
   Therefore He said: "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.
   
2. Cross References
   Matthew 21:33
   Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.
   
3. Cross References
   Romans 12:6
   Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.
   1 Corinthians 12:7
   But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
   1 Corinthians 12:11
   But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
   1 Corinthians 12:29
   Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
   Ephesians 4:11
   And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.
   
4. Cross References
   Luke 16:10
   He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
   1 Corinthians 4:2
   Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
   2 Timothy 4:7
   I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
   2 Timothy 4:8
   Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
   
5. Cross References
   Matthew 24:47
   Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him r...
   Matthew 25:34
   Then the King will say to those on His right ha...
   Matthew 25:46
   "And these will go away into everlasting punish...
   Luke 12:44
   Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler...
   Luke 22:29
   And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Fat...
   Luke 22:30
   "that you may eat and drink at My table in My k...
   Revelation 3:21
   To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with M...
   Revelation 21:7
   He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and ...
   
6. Cross References
   2 Timothy 2:12
   If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
   Hebrews 12:2
   Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
   1 Peter 1:8
   Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.
   
7. Cross References
   Matthew 24:45
   Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
   Matthew 24:47
   Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
   Matthew 25:21
   "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
   
8. Cross References
   Psalms 16:11
   You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
   John 15:10
   If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
   John 15:11
   These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
   
9. Cross References
   Matthew 18:32
   Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
   Luke 19:22
   And he said to him, 'Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.
   
10. Cross References
    Matthew 13:12
    For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
    Mark 4:25
    "For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."
    Luke 8:18
    "Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."
    John 15:2
    Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
    
11. Cross References
    Matthew 8:12
    "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
    Matthew 22:13
    "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
    Luke 13:28
    There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.
    
12. Cross References
    Matthew 7:23
    "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
    Matthew 8:12
    "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
    Matthew 24:51
    And will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
    
13. Cross References
    Psalms 112:10
    The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish.