Matthew 25:13-46
Watch therefore ( γρηγορειτε ουν ). This is the refrain with all the parables. Lack of foresight is inexcusable. Ignorance of the time of the second coming is not an excuse for neglect, but a reason for readiness. Every preacher goes up against this trait in human nature, putting off till another time what should be done today.Going into another country ( αποδημων ). About to go away from one's people ( δημος ), on the point of going abroad. This word in ancient use in this sense. There is an ellipse here that has to be supplied,
It is as when or
The kingdom of heaven is as when. This Parable of the Talents is quite similar to the Parable of the Pounds in Lu 19:11-28, but they are not variations of the same story. Some scholars credit Jesus with very little versatility.
His goods ( τα υπαρχοντα αυτου ). His belongings, neuter participle used as a substantive.
To one ( ω μεν, ω δε, ω δε ). Demonstrative ος, not the relative. Neat Greek idiom.
According to his several ability ( κατα την ιδιαν δυναμιν ). According to his own ability. Each had all that he was capable of handling. The use that one makes of his opportunities is the measure of his capacity for more. One talent represented a considerable amount of money at that time when a δεναριυς was a day's wage. See on 18:24 for the value of a talent.
Straightway ( ευθεως ). Beginning of verse 16, not the end of verse 15. The business temper of this slave is shown by his promptness.
With them ( εν αυτοις ). Instrumental use of εν. He worked ( ηργασατο ), did business, traded with them. "The virgins wait, the servants work" (Vincent).
Made ( εποιησεν ). But Westcott and Hort read εκερδησεν, gained, as in verse 17. Κερδος means interest. This gain was a hundred per cent.
Maketh a reckoning ( συναιρε λογον ). As in 18:23. Deissmann (Light from the Ancient East, p. 117) gives two papyri quotations with this very business idiom and one Nubian ostracon with it. The ancient Greek writers do not show it.
The joy of thy lord ( την χαριν του κυριου σου ). The word χαρα or joy may refer to the feast on the master's return. So in verse 23.
That had received the one talent ( ο το ταλεντον ειληφως ). Note the perfect active participle to emphasize the fact that he still had it. In verse 20 we have ο--λαβων (aorist active participle).
I knew thee ( εγνων σε ). Second aorist active indicative. Experimental knowledge ( γινωσκω ) and proleptical use of σε.
A hard man ( σκληρος ). Harsh, stern, rough man, worse than αυστηρος in Lu 19:21, grasping and ungenerous.
Where thou didst not scatter ( οθεν ου διεσκορπισας ). But this scattering was the chaff from which wheat was winnowed, not the scattering of seed.
Thou wicked and slothful servant ( πονηρε δουλε κα οκνηρε ). From πονος (work, annoyance, disturbance, evil) and οκνεω (to be slow, "poky," slothful). Westcott and Hort make a question out of this reply to the end of verse 26. It is sarcasm.
Thou oughtest therefore ( εδσ σε ουν ). His very words of excuse convict him. It was a necessity ( εδε ) that he did not see.
The bankers ( τοις τραπεζειταις ). The benchers, money-changers, brokers, who exchanged money for a fee and who paid interest on money. Word common in late Greek.
I should have received back ( εγω εκομισαμην αν ). Conclusion of a condition of the second class (determined as unfulfilled). The condition is not expressed, but it is implied. "If you had done that."
With interest ( συν τοκω ). Not with "usury" in the sense of extortion or oppression. Usury only means "use" in itself. The word is from τικτω, to bring forth. Compound interest at six per cent doubles the principal every twenty years. It is amazing how rapidly that piles up if one carries it on for centuries and millenniums. "In the early Roman Empire legal interest was eight per cent, but in usurious transactions it was lent at twelve, twenty-four, and even forty-eight" (Vincent). Such practices exist today in our cities. The Mosaic law did not allow interest in dealings between Hebrews, but only with strangers (De 23:19, 20; Ps 15:5).
The unprofitable ( τον αχρειον ). Useless ( α privative and χρειος, useful) and so unprofitable, injurious. Doing nothing is doing harm.
All the nations (panta ta ethn). Not just Gentiles, but Jews also. Christians and non-Christians. This program for the general judgment has been challenged by some scholars who regard it as a composition by the evangelist to exalt Christ. But why should not Christ say this if he is the Son of Man and the Son of God and realized it? A "reduced" Christ has trouble with all the Gospels, not merely with the Fourth Gospel, and no less with Q and Mark than with Matthew and Luke. This is a majestic picture with which to close the series of parables about readiness for the second coming. Here is the program when he does come. "I am aware that doubt is thrown on this passage by some critics. But the doubt is most wanton. Where is the second brain that could have invented anything so original and so sublime as vv. 35-40, 42-45?" (Sanday, Life of Christ in Recent Research, p. 128).
As the shepherd separates ( ωσπερ ο ποιμην αφοριζε ). A common figure in Palestine. The sheep are usually white and the goats black. There are kids ( εριφων, εριφια ) which have grazed together. The goats devastate a field of all herbage. "Indeed they have extirpated many species of trees which once covered the hills" (Tristram, Natural History of the Bible, pp. 89f.). The shepherd stands at the gate and taps the sheep to go to the right and the goats to the left.
From the foundation of the world ( απο καταβολης κοσμου ). The eternal purpose of the Father for his elect in all the nations. The Son of Man in verse 31 is the King here seated on the throne in judgment.
Clothed me ( περιεβαλετε με ). Second aorist middle indicative, cast something around me.
Visited me ( επεσκεψασθε με ). Looked after, came to see. Our "visit" is from Latin viso, video. Cf. our English "go to see."
Ye did it unto me ( εμο εποιησατε ). Dative of personal interest. Christ identifies himself with the needy and the suffering. This conduct is proof of possession of love for Christ and likeness to him.
No meat ( ουκ εδωκατε μο φαγειν ). You did not give me anything to eat. The repetition of the negative ου in 42 and 43 is like the falling of clods on the coffin or the tomb. It is curious the surprise here shown both by the sheep and the goats. Some sheep will think that they are goats and some goats will think that they are sheep.
Eternal punishment ( κολασιν αιωνιον ). The word κολασιν comes from κολαζω, to mutilate or prune. Hence those who cling to the larger hope use this phrase to mean age-long pruning that ultimately leads to salvation of the goats, as disciplinary rather than penal. There is such a distinction as Aristotle pointed out between μωρια (vengeance) and κολασις. But the same adjective αιωνιος is used with κολασιν and ζωην. If by etymology we limit the scope of κολασιν, we may likewise have only age-long ζωην. There is not the slightest indication in the words of Jesus here that the punishment is not coeval with the life. We can leave all this to the King himself who is the Judge. The difficulty to one's mind about conditional chastisement is to think how a life of sin in hell can be changed into a life of love and obedience. The word αιωνιος (from αιων, age, αεςυμ, αε ) means either without beginning or without end or both. It comes as near to the idea of eternal as the Greek can put it in one word. It is a difficult idea to put into language. Sometimes we have "ages of ages" ( αιωνες των αιωνων ).
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