Chapter

Matthew 25:22

ESV And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’
NIV "The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
NASB Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have earned two more talents.’
CSB "The man with two talents also approached. He said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I’ve earned two more talents.’
NLT The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’
KJV He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
NKJV 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.’

What does Matthew 25:22 mean?

This verse is nearly a repeat of Matthew 20. The second servant makes his report about what he accomplished with the money left for him by his master (Matthew 25:14–15). He has also doubled the master's investment by using it to start a trading business. He started with two talents and ended up with four talents, which he now presents to his master.

Both of the first two servants have doubled their master's investment. Both have proven themselves worthy of the evaluation the master made of their ability to do business. They have succeeded both in business and, as the following verse shows, in pleasing their master. It's important to the story to note that this servant is bringing less than half as much profit to his master as the first servant; however, he is still richly rewarded. The point is that God's intent is for us to use the resources, skills, and assets He has given to us, in godly ways, to the best of our ability (Matthew 25:23).

In contrast, those who ignore the abilities given them by God will be harshly judged (Matthew 25:26–27).
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