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Matthew 25:25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.'
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See, here is what belongs to you.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/25.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And having been afraid, having gone away, I hid your talent in the ground. Behold, you have what <i>is</i> yours.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, <i>there</i> thou hast <i>that is</i> thine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, <i>there</i> you have <i>what is</i> yours.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And I was afraid, so I went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you <i>still</i> have what is yours.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So I was afraid [to lose the talent], and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is your own.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.’ <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I was frightened and went out and hid your money in the ground. Here is every single coin!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I was afraid. So I hid your two thousand dollars in the ground. Here's your money!'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I was afraid, so I went off and hid your money in the ground. Look! Here is what belongs to you.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Since I was afraid, I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here, take what's yours!'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. See, you have what is yours.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast what is thine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/25.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So being afraid I went and buried your talent in the ground: there you have what belongs to you.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and having been afraid, having gone away, I hid your talent in the earth; behold, you have your own!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/25.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And having been afraid, having gone away, I hid your talent in the ground. Behold, you have what <i>is</i> yours.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and having been afraid, having gone away, I hid thy talent in the earth; lo, thou hast thine own!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And having been afraid, having gone away, I concealed thy talent in the earth; see, thou hast thine own.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so, being afraid, I went out and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground; here it is, it is your own one.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/25.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And I was afraid, and I went and buried your talent in the ground. Behold, it is yours.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/25.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth; see, you have yours.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/25.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and being afraid, having gone away, I hid thy talent in the earth: behold, thou hast thine own.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/25.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />and being afraid, I went and hid thy talent in the ground: see here, thou hast thine own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/25.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />fear made me hide the talent under ground: but there you have what is your own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/25.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So being afraid I went and buried your talent in the ground: there you have what belongs to you.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/25.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and, being afraid, going away, I hid your talent in the earth: behold, you have your own.'<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/25.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the ground; behold, there is thine <Fr><i>own:</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/25-25.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=7672" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/25.htm">The Parable of the Talents</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">24</span>Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. <span class="reftext">25</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">So</a> <a href="/greek/5399.htm" title="5399: phobētheis (V-APP-NMS) -- From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.">I was afraid</a> <a href="/greek/565.htm" title="565: apelthōn (V-APA-NMS) -- From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.">and went out and</a> <a href="/greek/2928.htm" title="2928: ekrypsa (V-AIA-1S) -- To hide, conceal, lay up. A primary verb; to conceal.">hid</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5007.htm" title="5007: talanton (N-ANS) -- Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao; a balance, i.e. a certain weight or talent.">talent</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gē (N-DFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">ground.</a> <a href="/greek/2400.htm" title="2400: ide (V-AMA-2S) -- See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!">See,</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echeis (V-PIA-2S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">you have</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">what belongs</a> <a href="/greek/4674.htm" title="4674: son (PPro-AN2S) -- Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine.">to you.’</a> </span> <span class="reftext">26</span>‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-20.htm">Luke 19:20-24</a></span><br />Then another servant came and said, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have laid away in a piece of cloth. / For I was afraid of you, because you are a harsh man. You withdraw what you did not deposit and reap what you did not sow.’ / His master replied, ‘You wicked servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew that I am a harsh man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-12.htm">Matthew 13:12</a></span><br />Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-19.htm">Matthew 21:19</a></span><br />Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Proverbs 26:13</a></span><br />The slacker says, “A lion is in the road! A fierce lion roams the public square!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-13.htm">Proverbs 22:13</a></span><br />The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17</a></span><br />So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-26.htm">James 2:26</a></span><br />As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-2.htm">1 Corinthians 4:2</a></span><br />Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/1-7.htm">2 Timothy 1:7</a></span><br />For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a></span><br />And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/3-16.htm">Revelation 3:16</a></span><br />So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-47.htm">Luke 12:47-48</a></span><br />That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-12.htm">Romans 14:12</a></span><br />So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-10.htm">1 Peter 4:10</a></span><br />As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/11-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 11:4</a></span><br />He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: see, there you have that is yours.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/6-9.htm">2 Samuel 6:9,10</a></b></br> And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/26-13.htm">Proverbs 26:13</a></b></br> The slothful <i>man</i> saith, <i>There is</i> a lion in the way; a lion <i>is</i> in the streets.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/57-11.htm">Isaiah 57:11</a></b></br> And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid <i>it</i> to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/21-46.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/matthew/20-23.htm">Belongs</a> <a href="/matthew/25-18.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/matthew/25-18.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/matthew/22-46.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/matthew/25-18.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/matthew/25-18.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/matthew/25-24.htm">Talent</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/27-54.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/mark/10-14.htm">Belongs</a> <a href="/luke/16-22.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/matthew/27-51.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/matthew/26-5.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/mark/4-22.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/matthew/25-28.htm">Talent</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">The parable of the ten virgins,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">and of the talents.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Also the description of the last judgment.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So I was afraid</b><br>Fear is a common human response, often mentioned in the Bible. In this context, the servant's fear reflects a lack of trust and understanding of his master's character. Biblically, fear can be both a reverence for God (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>) and a paralyzing force that prevents action (<a href="/2_timothy/1-7.htm">2 Timothy 1:7</a>). The servant's fear contrasts with the biblical encouragement to act in faith and trust in God's provision and guidance.<p><b>and went out and hid your talent in the ground.</b><br>The act of hiding the talent in the ground was a common practice in ancient times for safeguarding valuables, as evidenced by archaeological findings of buried treasures. However, in the parable, this action symbolizes a failure to utilize God-given resources and opportunities. The talent, a large sum of money, represents the gifts and responsibilities entrusted to believers. The servant's decision to hide it reflects a lack of initiative and faithfulness, contrasting with the proactive stewardship expected by God (<a href="/1_peter/4-10.htm">1 Peter 4:10</a>).<p><b>See, you have what belongs to you.’</b><br>This phrase indicates the servant's attempt to justify his inaction by returning the talent without any gain. It highlights a misunderstanding of stewardship, where the expectation is not merely to preserve but to grow and multiply what has been entrusted. This mirrors the biblical principle of bearing fruit (<a href="/john/15-8.htm">John 15:8</a>) and the call to be productive in God's kingdom. The servant's attitude contrasts with the faithful servants who invested their talents and were commended by the master.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_master.htm">The Master</a></b><br>Represents God or Christ, who entrusts His servants with resources and responsibilities.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_servant.htm">The Servant</a></b><br>Symbolizes believers who are given talents or gifts by God to use for His glory.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_talent.htm">The Talent</a></b><br>A large sum of money in biblical times, symbolizing the gifts, abilities, and opportunities God gives to each believer.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ground.htm">The Ground</a></b><br>Represents the act of hiding or not utilizing the gifts and opportunities given by God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_return.htm">The Return</a></b><br>The moment of accountability when the servant must present what he has done with the talent.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/stewardship_and_responsibility.htm">Stewardship and Responsibility</a></b><br>God entrusts each believer with unique gifts and expects us to use them for His kingdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/overcoming_fear.htm">Overcoming Fear</a></b><br>Fear can paralyze us and prevent us from fulfilling God's purpose. We must trust in God's provision and strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_to_god.htm">Accountability to God</a></b><br>There will be a time when we must account for how we have used what God has given us. We should live with this accountability in mind.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>True faith is demonstrated through action. We must actively engage in using our talents for God's glory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Our actions on earth have eternal consequences. We should invest our talents with eternity in mind.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 25</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_talents_differ_from_gifts.htm">How do talents differ from spiritual gifts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_parable's_setting.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological evidence corroborating the setting implied in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_god's_justice_shown_in_matt_25_24-30.htm">How can the harsh judgment on the servant in Matthew 25:24-30 be reconciled with a supposedly just and merciful God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_matthew_25_stress_good_works.htm">Why does Matthew 25 appear to emphasize good works (Matthew 25:31-46) when other passages stress faith alone (e.g., Romans 3:28)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(25) <span class= "bld">And I was afraid.</span>--The words are those of simulated rather than real fear. That would have led him to shrink from the unfaithful service which was sure to draw down his master's anger. The excuse did but cover the implied taunt that he dared not venture anything in the service of a master who would make no allowance for intentions where the result was failure. So, in the life of the soul, a man wanting in the spirit of loyalty and trust contents himself with making no use of opportunities, and therefore they are to him as though they were not, except that they increase his guilt and his condemnation.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 25.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I was afraid</span>. He took as certain the conception which he had formed of his master's character, as harsh, exacting, and unsympathizing, and therefore feared to speculate with his money, or to put it to any use whereby it might be lost or diminished. This is his excuse for negligence. He endeavours to cast the fault from his own shoulders to those of his superior. So evil men persuade themselves that God asks from them more than they can perform, and content themselves by doing nothing; or they consider that their powers and means are their own, to use or not as they like, and that no one can call them to account for the way in which they treat them. <span class="cmt_word">Hid thy talent in the earth</span> (see on ver. 18). Put it away for safety, that it might come to no harm, and not be employed for evil purposes. He recognizes not any duty owed to the giver in the possession of the money, nor the responsibility for work which it imposed. <span class="cmt_word">Lo, there thou hast</span> <span class="cmt_word">that is thine;</span> <span class="accented">lo! thou hast thy own.</span> This is sheer insolence; as if he had said, "You cannot complain; I have not stolen or lost your precious money; here it is intact, just as I received it." What a perverse mistaken view of his own position and of God's nature! The talent was given to him, not to bury, but to use and improve for his lord's profit. Hidden away, it was wasted. The time, too, during which he had the talent in his possession was wasted; he had not honestly used it in his master's service, or laboured, as he was bound to do. He ought to have had much more to show than the original endowment. To vaunt that, if he had done no good, at least he had done no harm, is condemnation. He might not thus shirk his responsibility. His answer only aggravated his fault. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/25-25.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">So</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">in my fear,</span><br /><span class="grk">φοβηθεὶς</span> <span class="translit">(phobētheis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5399.htm">Strong's 5399: </a> </span><span class="str2">From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I went [and]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπελθὼν</span> <span class="translit">(apelthōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_565.htm">Strong's 565: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hid</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔκρυψα</span> <span class="translit">(ekrypsa)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2928.htm">Strong's 2928: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hide, conceal, lay up. A primary verb; to conceal.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">σου</span> <span class="translit">(sou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">talent</span><br /><span class="grk">τάλαντόν</span> <span class="translit">(talanton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5007.htm">Strong's 5007: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao; a balance, i.e. a certain weight or 'talent'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῇ</span> <span class="translit">(tē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ground.</span><br /><span class="grk">γῇ</span> <span class="translit">(gē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> </span><span class="str2">Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">See,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἴδε</span> <span class="translit">(ide)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2400.htm">Strong's 2400: </a> </span><span class="str2">See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔχεις</span> <span class="translit">(echeis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what [belongs]</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to you.’</span><br /><span class="grk">σόν</span> <span class="translit">(son)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4674.htm">Strong's 4674: </a> </span><span class="str2">Yours, thy, thine. From su; thine.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/25-25.htm">Matthew 25:25 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/25-25.htm">Matthew 25:25 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/25-25.htm">Matthew 25:25 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/25-25.htm">Matthew 25:25 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/25-25.htm">Matthew 25:25 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/25-25.htm">Matthew 25:25 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/25-25.htm">Matthew 25:25 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/25-25.htm">Matthew 25:25 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/25-25.htm">Matthew 25:25 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/25-25.htm">Matthew 25:25 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/25-25.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 25:25 I was afraid and went away (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/25-24.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 25:24"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 25:24" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/25-26.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 25:26"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 25:26" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>