Matthew 25:14

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. FOR [THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS] AS A MAN. The ellipsis is better supplied by our translators in the corresponding passage of Mark (Mark 13:34), "[For the Son of man is] as a man," etc., TRAVELLING INTO A FAR COUNTRY, [ apodeemoon (G589)] - or more simply, 'going abroad.' The idea of long "tarrying" is certainly implied here, since it is expressed in Matthew 25:19. WHO CALLED HIS OWN SERVANTS, AND DELIVERED UNTO THEM HIS GOODS. Between master and slaves this was not uncommon in ancient times. Christ's "serv...

14-30 Christ keeps no servants to be idle: they have received their all from him, and have nothing they can call their own but sin. Our receiving from Christ is in order to our working for him. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. The day of account comes at last. We must all be reckoned with as to what good we have got to our own souls, and have done to others, by the advantages we have enjoyed. It is not meant that the improving of natural powers can entitle a man to Divine grace. It is the real Christian's liberty and privilege to be employed as his Redeemer's servant, in promoting his glory, and the good of his people: the love of Christ constrains him to live no longer to himself, but to Him that died for him, and rose again. Those who think it impossible to please God, and in vain to serve him, will do nothing to purpose in religion. They complai...

Verse Matthew 25:14. _CALLED HIS OWN SERVANTS_] God never makes the children of men _proprietors_ of his goods. _They_ are formed by his power, and upheld by his bounty; and they hold their lives and their goods, as in many of our ancient tenures, _quamdiu domino_ _placuerit - at the will of their Lord_....

FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN ... - The “parable of the talents” was spoken still further to illustrate the manner in which he would deal with people at his return to judgment. The words “the kingdom, of heaven” are not in the original, but are very properly inserted by the translators. The design of the parable is to teach that those who improve their talents or faculties in the cause of religion who improve them to their own salvation and in doing good to others shall be proportionally rewarded; but they who neglect their talents, and who neither secure their own salvation nor do good to others, will be punished. The kingdom of heaven is like such a man - that is, “God deals with people in his government as such a man did.” HIS OWN SERVANTS - That is, such of them as he judged to be worthy of such a trust. These represent the apostles, Christian ministers, professing Christians, and perhap...

EXPOSITION MATTHEW 25:1 _Parable of the ten virgins. _(Peculiar to St. Matthew.) This parable, as a continuation of the teaching of the last chapter, sets forth the necessity of having and retaining grace unto the end, in order to be able to welcome the advent of Christ. The duty of watchfulness and preparation for the great day is, of course, implied and set forth (Matthew 25:13); but the point is that the oil of God's grace alone enables the soul to meet the bridegroom joyfully, without dismay. The usual marriage customs of the Jews are well known. On the appointed day, the bridegroom, accompanied by his friends, proceeded to the bride's house, and thence escorted her, with her attendant maidens and friends, to his own or his parents' home. In the parable,

FOR [THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN] IS AS A MAN TRAVELLING,.... Our Lord adds another parable to illustrate the Gospel dispensation, or its visible church state; or the state of things respecting the church of Christ, before, and at his second coming, and during the interval between his ascension and that: for by the man here, is meant Christ, who in the everlasting covenant agreed to become man, was prophesied of as such, frequently appeared in human form, under the Old Testament dispensation; and in the fulness of time, really became man; though he was not a mere man, but was God as well as man; having all the perfections and fulness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in him: this man is said to travel INTO A FAR COUNTRY; by which heaven is designed, and is so called, not only because of its great distance from the earth, and which is very great indeed; but because the better country and land afa...

Matthew 25:14. _For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods._ This parable has to do with you who are professors of Christianity. He «called his own servants,» those who, by their own consent, were numbered amongst his household servitors: «He called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.» Not theirs, but his; and therefore to be used for him. If you are Christ's servant, your abilities are his, he has lent them to you to be employed for your Lord. «He called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.» Matthew 25:15. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS Omit the italicised words, "the kingdom of heaven is"....

CHAPTER 25 _ 1. The Parable of the Ten Virgins. (Matthew 25:1 .) 2. The Parable of the Servants and the Talents. (Matthew 25:14 .) 3. The Judgment of Nations. (Matthew 25:31 .)_ The second parable is the parable of the ten virgins. It is one which is interpreted by students of the prophetic Word in different ways; we are therefore obliged to give it our closest attention. “Then shall the kingdom of the heavens be likened to ten virgins that, having taken their lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were prudent and five foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and did not take oil with them; but the prudent took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now the br

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 parti