Matthew 25:14-30

The Parable of the Talents (cf. Luke 19:11). There is also a resemblance to Mark 13:33, especially Matthew 25:34. Loisy thinks this parable had originally no reference to the Parousia and the Judgment, but was simply meant to show that reward in the Kingdom of Heaven is proportionate to merit. As it stands, however, it is akin to the preceding parable of the bridesmaids. Though the Parousia be long delayed (Matthew 25:19) it will surely come, and those who wish to share its blessings must use the time of waiting wisely; they must employ the endowments God has given them in His service, which is that of their fellow-men. All parties will be the better for this God, the individual, and the community. Gifts that are not employed are lost; capacity is extirpated by disuse. The real reward (despite Matthew 25:28, which really serves to bring in Matthew 25:29) is a place in the Kingdom to share in the Messianic joy (Matthew 25:21), and as the two-talent man gets the same guerdon as the five-talent man, it is not a question of much or little, but of loyal purpose and honest endeavour.

In God's clear sight high work we do,

If we but do our best.

The excuse of the one-talent man is part of the paraphernalia of the parable, not to be pressed as a conception of God. Even if the man held this mistaken notion, he should have acted more zealously and so won his master's praise. Possibly the parable originally ended with Matthew 25:29; the extra punishment of Matthew 25:30 seems needless. It may reflect the feeling of the early Church that something more than mere deprivation awaited the unprofitable servant.