Matthew 25:15 To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent--each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.

◄ Matthew 25:15 ►

New International Version
To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

New Living Translation
He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

English Standard Version
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

Berean Standard Bible
To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.

Berean Literal Bible
And indeed to one he gave five talents; and to one, two; and to one, one; to each according to his own ability. And he left the region immediately.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

New American Standard Bible
To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

NASB 1995
“To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

NASB 1977
“And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

Legacy Standard Bible
And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

Amplified Bible
To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and then he went on his journey.

Christian Standard Bible
To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, depending on each one’s ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately

Holman Christian Standard Bible
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one—to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately

American Standard Version
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey.

Contemporary English Version
The man knew what each servant could do. So he handed 5,000 coins to the first servant, 2,000 to the second, and 1,000 to the third. Then he left the country.

English Revised Version
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He gave one man ten thousand dollars, another four thousand dollars, and another two thousand dollars. Each was given money based on his ability. Then the man went on his trip.

Good News Translation
He gave to each one according to his ability: to one he gave five thousand gold coins, to another he gave two thousand, and to another he gave one thousand. Then he left on his trip.

International Standard Version
To one man he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, based on their ability. Then he went on his trip.

Majority Standard Bible
To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent?each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.

NET Bible
To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

New Heart English Bible
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.

Webster's Bible Translation
And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and forthwith took his journey.

Weymouth New Testament
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one--to each according to his individual capacity; and then started from home.

World English Bible
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his several ability, went abroad immediately.

Berean Literal Bible
And indeed to one he gave five talents; and to one, two; and to one, one; to each according to his own ability. And he left the region immediately.

Young's Literal Translation
and to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to his several ability, went abroad immediately.

Smith's Literal Translation
And to one he truly gave five talents, and to one, two, and to one, one; to each according to his own power; and he quickly went abroad.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, yet to another he gave one, to each according to his own ability. And promptly, he set out.

New American Bible
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one—to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately

New Revised Standard Version
to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
To one he gave five talents, to one two, to another one; to each one according to his ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
To one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, each man according to his power, and he immediately went abroad.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one; to each one, according to his own ability, and immediately left his country.

Godbey New Testament
to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each one according to his own ability; and departed.

Haweis New Testament
And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his several capacity; and immediately went abroad.

Mace New Testament
to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his respective ability, and then set out on his journey.

Weymouth New Testament
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one--to each according to his individual capacity; and then started from home.

Worrell New Testament
and to one, indeed, he gave five talents; and to another, two; and to another, one?to each according to his own ability; and he went abroad.

Worsley New Testament
to another two, and to another one; to each according to his ability: and then he took his journey.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Parable of the Talents
14For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent— each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. 16The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Luke 19:13
Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. / To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, / to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, ...

Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; / if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; / if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

1 Peter 4:10
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

Ephesians 4:11-12
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

1 Corinthians 4:7
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

2 Corinthians 8:12
For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

1 Corinthians 3:5
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. / There are different ministries, but the same Lord. / There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people.

2 Timothy 1:6
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Exodus 35:30-35
Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. / And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, / to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, ...

1 Kings 3:12-13
behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be. / Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal.

Daniel 1:17
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.

Genesis 39:3-4
When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did, / Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.

Exodus 31:3-5
And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, / to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, / to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft.

Treasury of Scripture

And to 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.

talents.

Matthew 18:24
And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

Luke 12:48
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Luke 19:13,14
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come…

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Ability Able Abroad Capacity Five Forthwith Home Immediately Individual Journey Money Particular Several Started Straightway Talent Talents

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Matthew 25

1. The parable of the ten virgins,
14. and of the talents.
31. Also the description of the last judgment.

Berean Study Bible

To one he gave five talents
The word "talents" in this context refers to a significant sum of money, a weight of silver or gold, rather than a skill or ability as commonly understood today. The Greek word "talanton" indicates a large monetary unit, suggesting the master’s trust and the value of what is entrusted. Historically, a talent was worth about 6,000 denarii, which was equivalent to about 20 years of a laborer's wages. This highlights the immense responsibility and trust the master places in his servants. Spiritually, this can be seen as God entrusting us with significant resources, gifts, or opportunities to be used for His glory.

to another two
The distribution of talents is not equal, but it is equitable. The master gives according to each servant's ability, demonstrating his wisdom and understanding of their capacities. This reflects the biblical principle that God knows us intimately and gives us responsibilities that align with our capabilities. It is a reminder that our worth is not measured by comparison with others but by our faithfulness in using what we have been given.

and to another one
The servant who receives one talent is not less valued, but rather given a task suited to his ability. This emphasizes the personal nature of God's calling and the unique role each person plays in His kingdom. It challenges us to focus on our own calling and to be faithful stewards of what we have, rather than coveting the gifts or opportunities given to others.

each according to his own ability
This phrase underscores the fairness and justice of the master. The Greek word "dynamis" for "ability" suggests inherent power or capability. It is a reminder that God equips us for the tasks He assigns, and He does not expect more from us than we can handle. This should inspire confidence and diligence in our service, knowing that God’s expectations are perfectly aligned with our potential.

And he went on his journey
The master’s departure signifies a period of testing and responsibility for the servants. It reflects the current age where Christ, having ascended to heaven, entrusts His followers with the mission of the Gospel until His return. This phrase calls believers to live in anticipation of Christ’s return, diligently working and investing in His kingdom with the resources and opportunities He has provided. It is a call to faithfulness and readiness, knowing that we will one day give an account of our stewardship.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15) Unto one he gave five talents.--On the value of the talent see the Note on Matthew 18:24. The languages of modern Europe bear witness, in their use of the word, to the impression which the parable has made. A man's energies, gifts, capacities, are the "talents," for the use of which he will have to render an account. We speak, though in this case the word is hardly more than an ill-coined vulgarism, of him who possesses them as "talented." Common, however, as this use of the word is, it tends to obscure the true meaning of the parable. Here there is an "ability" presupposed in each case, prior to the distribution of the talents, and we are led accordingly to the conclusion that the latter stand here less for natural gifts than for external opportunities--for possessions, offices, what we call "spheres of duty." These, we are told, are, in the wisdom of God, given to men, in the long run, "according to their several ability." So taken, the parable does not repeat the lesson of that which precedes it, but is addressed, not as that is to all Christians, but specifically to those who hold any vocation or ministry in the Church of Christ, or have in their hands outward resources for working in it. It is, perhaps, not altogether fanciful to trace, as a first application, in the three-fold scale of distribution, a correspondence with the three groups, four in each, into which the twelve Apostles were divided. The sons of Jona and of Zebedee were as those who had received five talents; the less conspicuous middle group answered to those who received but two; while the "wicked and slothful servant" finds his representative in the only disciple in the third, or last group, who is at all conspicuous.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 15. - Unto one he gave five talents. The talent of silver (taking silver as worth a little over 5s. an ounce) was nearly equivalent to £400 of our money. It is from the use of the word "talents" in this parable that we moderns have derived its common meaning of natural gifts and endowments. The three principal slaves receive a certain amount of property to use for their master's profit. To every man. To all is given some grace or faculty which they have to employ to the glory of God. "Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ "(Ephesians 4:7). No one can justly say he is neglected in this distribution. Whatever natural powers, etc., we possess, and the opportunities of exercising and improving them, are the gift of God, and are delivered to us to be put out to interest. According to his several ability (κατὰ τὴν ἰδίαν δύναμιν). The master apportioned his gifts in accordance with his knowledge of the slaves' capacity for business, and the probability of their rightly employing much or little capital. So God distributes his endowments, not to all alike, but in such proportions as men are able to bear and to profit by. The infinite variety in men's dispositions, intellects, will. opportunities, position, and so on, are all taken into account, and modify and condition their responsibility. Straightway took his journey (ἀπεδήμησεν εὐθέως). Immediately after the distribution he departed, leaving each slave, uncontrolled and undirected, to use the property assigned to him. So God gives us free will at the same time that he sets before us opportunities of showing our faithfulness. The Lord may be referring primarily to the apostles whom he left immediately after he had bestowed upon them authority and commission. The Revised Version, Westcott and Hort, Nosgen, and others transfer the adverb "straightway" to the beginning of the next verse (omitting δὲ in that verse). It is supposed to be superfluous here. The Vulgate accords with the Received Text; and there seems to be no sufficient reason for accentuating the first slave's activity above that of the second, who was equally faithful.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

To one
ᾧ (hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

he gave
ἔδωκεν (edōken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

five
πέντε (pente)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4002: Five. A primary number; 'five'.

talents,
τάλαντα (talanta)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5007: Neuter of a presumed derivative of the original form of tlao; a balance, i.e. a certain weight or 'talent'.

to [another]
ᾧ (hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

two [talents],
δύο (dyo)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1417: Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

to [another]
ᾧ (hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

one [talent]—
ἕν (hen)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

each
ἑκάστῳ (hekastō)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1538: Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.

according to
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

his own
ἰδίαν (idian)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.

ability.
δύναμιν (dynamin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1411: From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power.

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

he promptly went on his journey.
ἀπεδήμησεν (apedēmēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 589: To be away from home, go into another country, be away, be abroad. From apodemos; to go abroad, i.e. Visit a foreign land.

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NT Gospels: Matthew 25:15 To one he gave five talents (Matt. Mat Mt)