Parable of the talents

The Parable of the Talents (sometimes just The Parable of Talents) is a New Testament parable. It is told by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (Matt. 25:14-30). It was told to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven, and that diligence in carrying out our responsibilities is essential for more important tasks in the future.

Related Topics:
New Testament - Parable - Jesus - Gospel of Matthew - Kingdom of Heaven

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Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven using the perspective of Jewish society at that time. He begins with the Parable of The Ten Virgins to illustrate, and continues with the Parable of Talents. Talents were used as a unit of currency.

Related Topics:
Jewish - Parable - The Ten Virgins - Talent - Currency

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The parable tells of a master who was leaving his home to travel, and before going gave his three servants different amounts of money. On returning from his travels, the master asked his servants for an account of the money given to them. The first servant reported that he was given five talents, and he had made five talents more. The master praised the servant as being good and faithful, gave him more responsibility because of his faithfulness, and invited the servant to be joyful together with him.

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The second servant said that he had received two talents, and he had made two talents more. The master praised this servant in the same way as being good and faithful, giving him more responsibility and inviting the servant to be joyful together with him.

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The last servant who had received one talent reported that knowing his master was a hard man, he buried his talent in the ground for safekeeping, and therefore returned the original amount to his master. The master called him a wicked and lazy servant, saying that he should have placed the money in the bank to generate interest. The master commanded that the one talent be taken away from that servant, and given to the servant with ten talents, because everyone that has much will be given more, and whoever that has a little, even the little that he has will be taken away. And the master ordered the servant to be thrown outside into the darkness.

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A similar parable is found in the Gospel of Luke 19:12-27, the main difference being that the master entrusted his servants with equal amounts.

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