PER306

Parable of the Servants and the Rewards, the Talents

The article deals with Jesus' parable of the talents, illustrating the importance of faithfully managing gifts in the service of God while awaiting his return.

3 min parable talents servants 2 verses 1 book

Resources

Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew 25.14-30 (King James Version)

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 in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Mark

Mark (King James Version) not cited in the book

Luke

Luke (King James Version) not cited in the book

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: The opposite Jerusalem

Date: Wednesday, March 30, AD 33, in the evening

Method: We continue with Matthew

Note on the method: Matthew is the only one to report this

The Messiah Jesus, on the , delivers a discourse on the end times and adds another about the bags of silver.

Comments

Cette autre est plutôt étonnante, le Maître, absent confie des responsabilités à ses serviteurs. Chacun d’eux va agir selon sa propre conception du service. Elle est connue comme celle des talents qui sont transcrit dans notre traduction () par « sacs d’argent ».

The of the talents in Matthew 25.14-30 teaches the responsibility that God entrusts to each person according to his abilities, and the need to make what he has given us bear fruit. The master, representing the Messiah Jesus, entrusts his goods to his servants before leaving, an image of the present time in which he is bodily absent but in which his disciples must act faithfully.

The talents symbolize everything God entrusts to us: spiritual gifts, abilities, time, resources, and opportunities. The first two servants put them to good use, showing their zeal and sense of duty. It is their faithfulness, more than the result itself, that the master rewards. The third servant, on the other hand, out of fear or laziness, buries his talent and produces nothing.

His attitude reflects distrust toward the master and a refusal to take risks in faith. The judgment that follows reveals the seriousness of spiritual inaction. Not using what God entrusts to us amounts to despising it and leads to loss. The master then takes the talent away from the useless servant to give it to the one who knew how to use it, underlining that gifts grow when we put them to work.

This therefore insists on actively awaiting the Lord's return: it is not a matter of passively keeping, but of serving faithfully and courageously. Finally, it reminds us that the true reward is not only material or visible, but lies in the joy of sharing in the master's fellowship, the joy of God himself.

Parabole des serviteurs et des récompenses, des talents. L'article traite de la parabole des talents de Jésus, illustrant l'importance d'une gestion fidèle des dons au service de Dieu, en attendant son retour. Commentaires. Cette autre parabole est plutôt étonnante, le Maître, absent confie des responsabilités à ses serviteurs. Chacun d’eux va agir selon sa propre conception du service. Elle est connue comme celle des talents qui sont transcrit dans notre traduction (S21) par « sacs d’argent ». La parabole des talents en Matthieu 25, versets 14 à 30 enseigne la responsabilité que Dieu confie à chacun selon ses capacités et la nécessité de faire fructifier ce qu’il nous a donné. Le maître, représentant le Messie Jésus, confie ses biens à ses serviteurs avant de partir, image du temps présent où il est absent corporellement mais où ses disciples doivent agir avec fidélité. Les talents symbolisent tout ce que Dieu nous confie : dons spirituels, capacités, temps, ressources, et opportunités. Les deux premiers serviteurs les mettent à profit, démontrant leur zèle et leur sens du devoir. Leur fidélité, plus que le résultat lui-même, est ce que le maître récompense. En revanche, le troisième serviteur, par peur ou paresse, enterre son talent et ne produit rien. Son attitude reflète une méfiance envers le maître et un refus de prendre des risques dans la foi. Le jugement qui s’ensuit révèle la gravité de l’inaction spirituelle. Ne pas utiliser ce que Dieu nous confie revient à le mépriser et conduit à la perte. Le maître retire alors le talent au serviteur inutile pour le donner à celui qui a su l’utiliser, soulignant que les dons croissent lorsque nous les mettons en œuvre. Cette parabole insiste donc sur l’attente active du retour du Seigneur : il ne s’agit pas de conserver passivement, mais de servir fidèlement et courageusement. Elle nous rappelle enfin que la vraie récompense n’est pas seulement matérielle ou visible, mais dans la joie de partager la communion du maître, la joie de Dieu lui-même.