Matthew 25:25 Study Bible: I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. See, you have what is yours.'

◄ Matthew 25:25 ►

So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.'

So I was afraid
The phrase "I was afraid" reveals the servant's internal state, driven by fear rather than faith. The Greek word for "afraid" is "phobēthēn," which is related to "phobos," meaning fear or terror. This fear is not the reverential awe that believers are encouraged to have towards God, but rather a paralyzing fear that leads to inaction. In a historical context, fear often led individuals to make decisions that were self-preserving rather than faith-driven. Theologically, this fear contrasts with the biblical call to trust in God's provision and sovereignty.

and went out
The action of "went out" indicates a deliberate decision to act based on the fear mentioned. The Greek word "exelthōn" suggests a movement away from a place of safety or responsibility. In the context of the parable, this movement symbolizes a departure from the master's expectations. Historically, this reflects the human tendency to retreat from challenges rather than confront them with faith and courage.

and hid your talent in the ground
The act of hiding the talent "in the ground" is significant. The Greek word for "hid" is "ekrypsa," which implies concealment and secrecy. In ancient times, burying valuables was a common practice to protect them from theft, yet in this parable, it symbolizes a failure to utilize God's gifts. The "talent" represents the resources and opportunities God entrusts to His people. By hiding it, the servant demonstrates a lack of faithfulness and stewardship. Scripturally, this act is a metaphor for neglecting to use one's God-given abilities for His glory.

See, you have what belongs to you
The phrase "See, you have what belongs to you" is the servant's attempt to justify his actions. The Greek word "ide" (see) is an imperative, drawing attention to the returned talent. This statement reflects a misunderstanding of the master's expectations and a lack of personal responsibility. Historically, this reflects a transactional view of relationships, where the servant believes returning the exact amount is sufficient. Theologically, it underscores the importance of growth and multiplication in God's kingdom, rather than mere preservation.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Master
Represents God or Christ, who entrusts His servants with resources and responsibilities.

2. The Servant
Symbolizes believers who are given talents or gifts by God to use for His glory.

3. The Talent
A large sum of money in biblical times, symbolizing the gifts, abilities, and opportunities God gives to each believer.

4. The Ground
Represents the act of hiding or not utilizing the gifts and opportunities given by God.

5. The Return
The moment of accountability when the servant must present what he has done with the talent.

Teaching Points

Stewardship and Responsibility
God entrusts each believer with unique gifts and expects us to use them for His kingdom.

Overcoming Fear
Fear can paralyze us and prevent us from fulfilling God's purpose. We must trust in God's provision and strength.

Accountability to God
There will be a time when we must account for how we have used what God has given us. We should live with this accountability in mind.

Faith in Action
True faith is demonstrated through action. We must actively engage in using our talents for God's glory.

Eternal Perspective
Our actions on earth have eternal consequences. We should invest our talents with eternity in mind.

Bible Study Questions

1. What are some talents or gifts that God has entrusted to you, and how are you currently using them for His glory?

2. How does fear impact your ability to serve God, and what steps can you take to overcome it?

3. In what ways can you be more accountable in your stewardship of God's resources?

4. How does the parable of the talents challenge you to put your faith into action?

5. Reflect on a time when you hid your "talent" out of fear. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you apply it moving forward?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27)
Similar parable where servants are given resources to manage, emphasizing accountability and stewardship.

1 Peter 4:10
Encourages believers to use their gifts to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace.

2 Timothy 1:7
Reminds believers that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline, countering the fear shown by the servant.

James 2:17
Highlights that faith without works is dead, paralleling the servant's inaction with his talent.

Sermons

A Gift and a Trust	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
A Hard Man	G. J. Proctor.	Matthew 25:14-30
A Picture of the Devil	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Better to Use One Talent Well than Five Wickedly	Dr. Talmage.	Matthew 25:14-30
Christ Absent from Us	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Christ's Talents	Selected.	Matthew 25:14-30
Dangers of Mediocrity	Phillips Brooks, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
Divers Talents	S. Brown.	Matthew 25:14-30
Diversity in Ability	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Diversity in Service	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Diversity of Talent Helpful to Service	T. Manton., T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Doing Better than Excusing	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Dread of God Natural in the Carnal Mind	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Each Man has His Appropriate Gift	Dr. Talmage.	Matthew 25:14-30
Encouragement for the Man with One Talent	A. H. Crawford, M. A.	Matthew 25:14-30
Faithful Service and its Reward	S. M'All.	Matthew 25:14-30
Faithfulness is on the Direct Line of Mastery	Marvin R. Vincent, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
Faithfulness the Main Thing	Marvin R. Vincent, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
Few Talents Will have to be Accounted For	C. H. Spurgeon	Matthew 25:14-30
Fidelity in the Service of God	C. Hodge, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
God Blesses Those Who Improve Their Privileges	N. Emmons, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
God is Never stingy in His Gifts	S. Cox, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
Great Talents and Small	Dr. Talmage.	Matthew 25:14-30
Hiding, not Wasting, God's Trusts	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Human Responsibility	T. D. Crothers.	Matthew 25:14-30
Importance of Little Things	Marvin R. Vincent, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
Improvement of Talents	Bishop Daniel Wilson.	Matthew 25:14-30
Latent Possibilities in the Man with One Talent	A. H. Crawford, M. A.	Matthew 25:14-30
Laying Ourselves Out for God	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Life a Journey	W. J. Hall, M. A.	Matthew 25:14-30
Modesty not to Invalidate Talent	R. Thomas.	Matthew 25:14-30
Multiplied Talent	Bishop Daniel Wilson.	Matthew 25:14-30
Nothing Idle in Nature	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
One Talent	The Southern Pulpit	Matthew 25:14-30
Ordinary Talents Do Most of the Work	Dr. Talmage.	Matthew 25:14-30
Our Account with God	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Our Trust of Talents	E. Sandercock.	Matthew 25:14-30
Parable of Talents	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Private Conceits	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Satanic Abuse of Great Talents	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Talents	J. Vaughan, M. A.	Matthew 25:14-30
Talents for Service not Ornament	R. Morton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Talents for Small Spheres	C. H. Spurgeon.	Matthew 25:14-30
Talents Given for Activity	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Account to be Rendered	E. Bersier., J. Parsons.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Advantages of Mediocrity	Phillips Brooks, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Average Man	F. E. Clark.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Capacity of Religion Extirpated by Disuse	H. Bushnell, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Discharged Servant	R. Jones, B. A. .	Matthew 25:14-30
The Entrusted Talents	W. M. Taylor, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Faithful Servant and His Reward	Charles Garrett.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Good and Faithful Servant	H. March.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Good Servant	W. Jowett, M. A.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Grace of God was Intended to be Accumulative	Dr. Talmage.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Householder and His Servants	Bishop Daniel Wilson.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Increase of Talent	R. Thomas.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Joy of the Lord's Service		Matthew 25:14-30
The Law of Spiritual Capital	Marcus Dods, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Law of Use and Neglect in the Kingdom of Heaven	R. Thomas.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Man with One Talent Needed	A. H. Crawford, M. A.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Man with Two Talents	Phillips Brooks, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Master's Approval of the Faithful Servant	S. Martin.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of the Talents	G. Smith.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of the Talents	S. Cox, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of the Talents	W.F. Adeney	Matthew 25:14-30
The Parable of the Talents	Marcus Dods	Matthew 25:14-30
The Pleasure of Small Abilities	R. Thomas.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Predominance of Mediocrity	Phillips Brooks, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Replenishment of Heavenly Felicity	S. M'All.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Reward of Fidelity	S. Brown.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Servants At Work	E. Bersier.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Sin of Unprofitableness	E. Gibbon, M. A.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Sinner Self-Condemned	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Sovereignty of the Divine Endowments	C. H. Spurgeon.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Talents	Expository Outlines	Matthew 25:14-30
The Talents	J.A. Macdonald	Matthew 25:14-30
The Unprofitable are Destroyed	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Unprofitable Servant	R. Jones, B. A.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Unprofitable Servant	D. Moore, M. A.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Unused Talent Passes from the Servant Who Would not Use it to the One Who Will	Marcus Dods, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30
The Wicked and Slothful Servant	H. March.	Matthew 25:14-30
Trading for God, not Self	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Trading with Talents	Benjamin Keach.	Matthew 25:14-30
Unequal Gifts	E. Bersier.	Matthew 25:14-30
Use the Talent We Have	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Varieties of Gifts	T. Manton.	Matthew 25:14-30
Variety God's Law	C. H. Spurgeon.	Matthew 25:14-30
Well Used Talents Prepare for Enjoyment in Heaven	N. Macleod, D. D.	Matthew 25:14-30

People

Jesus

Places

Mount of Olives

Topics

Afraid, Behold, Belongs, Buried, Fear, Ground, Hast, Hid, Talent, Yours

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Matthew 25:1-30

5438 parables

Matthew 25:1-46

2309 Christ, as judge

Matthew 25:14-27

5414 money, stewardship
8354 trustworthiness

Matthew 25:14-30

     1445   revelation, responses
     5465   profit
     5556   stewardship
     5615   weights
     5922   prudence
     8783   neglect

Matthew 25:14-46

8344 servanthood, in believers

Matthew 25:15-30

8437 giving, of talents

Matthew 25:23-30

8437 giving, of talents

Matthew 25:24-25

6163 faults

Matthew 25:24-26

8841 unfaithfulness, to people

Matthew 25:24-30

5524 servants, bad

Library

The Surprise of the Righteous
Preached at Southsea for the Mission of the Good Shepherd. October 1871. St Matt. xxv. 34-37. "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

November 16. "Watch Therefore, for Ye Know Neither the Day" (Matt. xxv. 13).
"Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day" (Matt. xxv. 13). Jesus illustrates the unexpectedness of His coming by the figure of a thief entering a house when the master was not there. Life, like the old Jewish night, may be divided into three watches, youth, maturity, old age. The summons to meet God may come to us in either of these watches. A writer tells us of his experience with a camping party, of which he was a member, and which, he tells us, always arranged to have watches at night. "We …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

'They that were Ready'
'They that were ready went in with him to the marriage.' --MATT. xxv. 10. It is interesting to notice the variety of aspects in which, in this long discourse, Jesus sets forth His Second Coming. It is like the flood that swept away a world. It is like a thief stealing through the dark, and breaking up a house. It is like a master reckoning with his servants. These three metaphors suggest solemn, one might almost say alarming, images. But then this parable comes in and tells how that coming is like …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Dying Lamps
'Our lamps are gone out.'--MATT. xxv. 8. This is one of the many cases in which the Revised Version, by accuracy of rendering the tense of a verb, gives a much more striking as well as correct reproduction of the original than the Authorised Version does. The former reads 'going out,' instead of 'gone out,' a rendering which the Old Version has, unfortunately, relegated to the margin. It is clearly to be preferred, not only because it more correctly represents the Greek, but because it sets before …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Waiting Maidens
'Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7. Then all those virgins arose, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Traders for the Master
'For the kingdom of heaven la as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 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. 16. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18. But he that had received one …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The King on his Judgment Throne
'When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: 32. And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33. And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxv. 1, "Then Shall the Kingdom of Heaven be Likened unto Ten virgins. "
1. Ye who were present yesterday remember my promise; which with the Lord's assistance is to be made good to-day, not to you only, but to the many others also who have come together. It is no easy question, who the ten virgins are, of whom five are wise, and five foolish. Nevertheless, according to the context of this passage which I have wished should be read again to you to-day, Beloved, I do not think, as far as the Lord vouchsafes to give me understanding, that this parable or similitude relates …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxv. 24, Etc. , Where the Slothful Servant who Would not Put Out the Talent He had Received, is Condemned.
1. My lords, my brethren, and fellow bishops have deigned to visit us and gladden us by their presence; but I know not why they are unwilling to assist me, when wearied. I have said this to you, Beloved, in their hearing, that your hearing may in a manner intercede for me with them, that when I ask them they also may discourse unto you in their turn. Let them dispense what they have received, let them vouchsafe to work rather than excuse themselves. Be pleased, however, to hear from me, fatigued …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

The Two Talents
Now, there are some men in the world who have but few talents. Our parable says, "One had five, and another two. To them I shall address myself this morning; and I pray that the few pointed things I may say, may be blessed of God to their edification or rebuke. First, I shall notice the fact that there are many persons who have but few talents, and I will try to account for God's dispensing but few to them. Secondly, I shall remind them that even for these few talents they must be brought to account. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

Tenth Chapter
An excellent sermon which this Doctor delivered in a convent after his illumination, concerning Christ the true Bridegroom of the soul, in the which he showed how she is to follow Him in true, shamefaced, humble, and patient resignation, and how Christ tries her beforehand in divers ways, and at last accepts her lovingly. Taken from these words--"Ecce sponsus venit, exite obviam ei" (Matt. xxv. 6). DEAR children, it may be now two years or more since I last preached. I spoke to you then of four-and-twenty …
Susannah Winkworth—The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler

The Day of Judgment. Extracted from a Sermon by Hugh Latimer, Bishop of Worcester, and Martyr, 1555. (1)
LUKE XXI.(2) As we die so we shall rise again. If we die in the state of damnation, we shall rise in that same state. Again, if we die in the state of salvation, we shall rise again in that state, and come to everlasting felicity, both of soul and body. For if we die now in the state of salvation, then at the last general day of judgment we shall hear this joyful sentence, proceeding out of the mouth of our Saviour Christ, when he will say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess that kingdom which …
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

Conclusion of Our Lord's Discourse. Parables of virgins and Talents. The Final Judgment.
(Mount of Olives. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXV. 1-46. ^a 1 Then [i. e., at the time of the Lord's coming. Jesus is still emphasizing the lesson of watchfulness, and proceeds to enforce it by two parables] shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten [probably the usual number on such occasions] virgins, who took their lamps [small earthenware vessels, with flax wicks, and without glass chimneys], and went forth to meet the bridegroom. [The Oriental wedding began with a feast in the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week-On the Mount of Olives-Last Parables: to the Disciples Concerning the Last Things-The Parable of the Ten virgins-The Parable Of
1. As might have been expected, the Parables concerning the Last Things are closely connected with the Discourse of the Last Things, which Christ had just spoken to His Disciples. In fact, that of the Ten Virgins, which seems the fullest in many-sided meaning, is, in its main object, only an illustration of the last part of Christ's Discourse. [5521] Its great practical lessons had been: the unexpectedness of the Lord's Coming; the consequences to be apprehend from its delay; and the need of personal …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Appendix xix. On Eternal Punishment, According to the Rabbis and the New Testament
THE Parables of the Ten Virgins' and of the Unfaithful Servant' close with a Discourse on the Last Things,' the final Judgment, and the fate of those Christ's Righ Hand and at His Left (St. Matt. xxv. 31-46). This final Judgment by our Lord forms a fundamental article in the Creed of the Church. It is the Christ Who comes, accompanied by the Angelic Host, and sits down on the throne of His Glory, when all nations are gathered before Him. Then the final separation is made, and joy or sorrow awarded …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Parable of the Talents (Matt. , xxv. , 14-30) Compared with that of the Pounds (Luke, xix. , 12).
The parable of the talents (Matt., xxv.) is evidently allied to that of the pounds [690] (Luke, xix., 12); but there are points of difference too striking to be ascribed to alterations in transmission. In the latter, each of the servants receives the same sum, one pound, and their position in the kingdom is assigned according to their gains. In the former, different sums are intrusted to the servants in proportion to their ability, and those who bring gains in the same proportion are rewarded accordingly. …
Augustus Neander—The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion

The Ten virgins.
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their …
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

The Entrusted Talents.
"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. 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. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged …
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

Of the Prerogatives which the Elect Shall Enjoy in Heaven.
By reason of this communion with God, the elect in heaven shall have four superexcellent prerogatives:-- 1. They shall have the kingdom of heaven for their inheritance (Matt. xxv.; 1 Pet. i. 4), and they shall be free denizens of the heavenly Jerusalem (Eph. ii. 19; Heb. xii. 22.) St. Paul, by being a free citizen of Rome (Acts xxi. 26), escaped whipping; but they who are once free citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, shall ever be freed from the whips of eternal torments. For this freedom was bought …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Works by J. G. Bellett.
The Patriarchs. Being meditations upon Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Job; with The Canticles, and Heaven and Earth. 435 pp. Cloth, post-paid, …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs

"Thence He Shall Come to Judge the Quick and Dead. ...
12. "Thence He shall come to judge the quick and dead." The quick, who shall be alive and remain; the dead, who shall have gone before. It may also be understood thus: The living, the just; the dead, the unjust. For He judges both, rendering unto each his own. To the just He will say in the judgment, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world." [1793] For this prepare yourselves, for these things hope, for this live, and so live, for this …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds

Letter Lvii to the Duke and Duchess of Lorraine
To the Duke and Duchess of Lorraine [87] He thanks them for having hitherto remitted customs [or tolls, but asks that they will see that their princely liberality is not interfered with by the efforts of their servants. To the Duke and Duchess of Lorraine, Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, sends greeting, and prays that they may so lovingly and purely rejoice in each other's affection that the love of Christ alone maybe supreme in them both. Ever since the needs of our Order obliged me to send for necessaries …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Letter Liii to Another Holy virgin of the Convent of S. Mary of Troyes
To Another Holy Virgin of the Convent of S. Mary of Troyes [84] He dissuades her from the rash and imprudent design which she had in her mind of retiring into some solitude. 1. I am told that you are wishing to leave your convent, impelled by a longing for a more ascetic life, and that after spending all their efforts to dissuade and prevent you, seeing that you paid no heed to them, your spiritual mother or your sisters, determined at length to seek my advice on the matter, so that whatever course …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

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