Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:24

What does Matthew 25:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:24 means

The servant who received the one talent approached, but rather than presenting an increase, he expressed a fearful and distorted perception of his master, accusing him of being a "hard man" who profits from others' labor. This reveals his spiritual blindness, misjudging the master's character and justifying his own inaction with a baseless excuse. His fear and false understanding prevented him from fulfilling his obligation, highlighting how a wrong view of God can paralyze from faithful service.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he who had had the one talent came and said, Lord, I had knowledge that you are a hard man, getting in grain where you have not put seed, and making profits for which you have done no work:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And he also who hath received the one talent having come, said, Sir, I knew thee, that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering from whence thou didst not scatter;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown and gatherest where thou hast not strewed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he also that had received the one talent coming to [him] said, [My] lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hadst not sowed, and gathering from where thou hadst not scattered,

Context

This verse introduces the third servant's account, a sharp departure from the two previous positive examples. It immediately reveals his negative and accusatory perception of the master, an attitude that underlies his inaction. This serves as the explanation for his poor stewardship, setting the scene for his justification in the next verse and ultimately his condemnation from the master.

v.23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

v.24This passage

v.25and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own.

Cross references

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

  • Malachi 3:14

    Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before Jehovah of hosts?

  • Romans 8:7

    because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:

  • Luke 15:29

    But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

  • Romans 9:20

    Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?

  • Isaiah 58:3

    Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find your own pleasure, and exact all your labors.

  • Job 21:14

    And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

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