Matthew 25:15

ᾧ μὲν ἔδωκεν κ.τ.λ. In the parable of the Pounds or ‘minæ’ (Luke 19), each subject receives one pound. Here the truth is indicated that there is variety in the services wrought for God in respect of dignity and of difficulty. More will be required of the influential and enlightened than of the ignorant and poor. ‘Nemo urgetur ultra quam potest’ (Bengel).

ᾧ μὲν … ᾧ δέ. See note on ch. Matthew 13:4.

τάλαντα. See ch. Matthew 18:24. It is from this parable that the word ‘talents’ has passed into modern languages in the sense of ‘abilities,’ or ‘mental gifts,’ though it seems properly to mean ‘opportunities’ or ‘spheres of duty.’