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

MATTHEW 25:28KJV
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Matthew 25:28 (KJV)

What does Matthew 25:28 mean?

Matthew 25:28 describes a command to take away a "talent" (a large sum of money) from one servant and give it to another servant who already has ten talents. This is part of a story Jesus tells, showing that resources or responsibilities are given to those who have shown themselves trustworthy and capable.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, telling the parable of the talents. The story is about a master who entrusts his servants with different amounts of money before leaving on a journey. When the master returns, he rewards the servants who used what they were given wisely, but takes away the unused talent from the servant who did nothing with it, giving it to the most productive servant. The verse highlights the idea of accountability and the expectation to use what one has been given.

The Greek behind Matthew 25:28

  • The word "talent" (τάλαντον, talanton) refers to a significant amount of money, not a personal skill or ability. Understanding this helps clarify that the story is about entrusted resources, not natural talents.
  • The verb "take" (αἴρω, airō) means to remove or take away, emphasizing an active removal of what was entrusted to the unproductive servant.
  • The verb "give" (δίδωμι, didōmi) means to hand over or grant, showing a deliberate transfer of responsibility or resource to the servant who has proven capable.
  • The phrase "hath ten talents" (ἔχει δέκα τάλαντα, echei deka talanta) highlights that the master rewards abundance to those who have already shown responsibility, which can seem surprising but fits the logic of the parable.

Why Matthew 25:28 matters

  • Matthew 25:28 clears up the common misunderstanding that "talent" here refers to a personal skill; in the original context, it is about money or entrusted resources.
  • The verse emphasizes that faithfulness and wise use of what one is given leads to greater responsibility, a key theme in Jesus' teaching.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the consequences of inaction and the principle that opportunities or responsibilities can be lost if not used.

Where else these words appear

“talent” Greek G5007 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 18:24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
  • Matthew 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
  • Matthew 25:22 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.

“ten” Greek G1176 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
  • Luke 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
  • Acts 25:6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.

“Take” Greek G142 · used in 98 verses

  • Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
  • Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
  • John 5:10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.