Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:18

What does Matthew 25:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:18 means

In stark contrast to the first two, the servant who received one talent went and buried his lord's money in the earth. This action represents neglect, fear, and a failure to engage with the responsibility given. He did not lose the money, but he also did not use it or grow it. This demonstrates a passive, inactive approach to stewardship, illustrating a spiritual unfaithfulness that conserves without contributing, thus failing to honor the master's trust and expectations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he who was given the one went away and put it in a hole in the earth, and kept his lord's money in a secret place.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he who did receive the one, having gone away, digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he that had received the one, going his way, digged into the earth and hid his lord's money.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he that had received the one went and dug in the earth, and hid the money of his lord.

Context

This verse introduces the contrasting, negative example of the third servant, immediately following the faithful actions of the first two. This stark difference in response to the master's trust is crucial to the parable's lesson on stewardship. His act of burying the talent directly sets up the master's later condemnation and highlights the consequences of neglecting one's God-given responsibilities.

v.17In like manner he also that received the two gained other two.

v.18This passage

v.19Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Peter 1:8

    For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • Haggai 1:2

    Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying, This people say, It is not the time for us to come, the time for Jehovah’s house to be built.

  • Hebrews 6:12

    that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

  • Proverbs 26:13

    The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets.

  • Proverbs 18:9

    He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.

  • Luke 19:20

    And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I kept laid up in a napkin:

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