Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:14

What does Matthew 25:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:14 means

Jesus introduces the second parable, likening the Kingdom of Heaven to a man entrusting his property to his servants before traveling abroad. This master represents Christ, and the servants represent believers who are given gifts and responsibilities during His absence. The act of delivering "his goods" signifies God's entrusting of resources, abilities, and opportunities to His people. This parable shifts the focus from simple readiness to active stewardship, emphasizing that what we have received is not our own but is given for a purpose, to be managed for His glory.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Forit isaswhena man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Forit isaswhena man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For it is as when a man, about to take a journey, got his servants together, and gave them his property.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`For--as a man going abroad did call his own servants, and did deliver to them his substance,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For even as a man going into a far country called his servants and delivered to them his goods;

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For [it is] as [if] a man going away out of a country called his own bondmen and delivered to them his substance.

Context

This verse introduces the Parable of the Talents, which immediately follows the Parable of the Ten Virgins. While the first parable emphasized readiness, this one shifts the focus to active stewardship during Christ's absence. This introduction sets the scene, identifies the key figures (master and servants), and establishes the initial act of entrusting goods, thereby laying the groundwork for the ensuing narrative about how each servant manages what they receive.

v.13Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.

v.14This passage

v.15And 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4

    Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:7

    But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal.

  • Luke 16:1

    And he said also unto the disciples, There was a certain rich man, who had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he was wasting his goods.

  • Matthew 21:33

    Hear another parable: There was a man that was a householder, who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into another country.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:1

    Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

  • 1 Peter 4:9

    using hospitality one to another without murmuring:

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