Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:26

What does Matthew 25:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:26 means

The master sharply rebuked the one-talent servant, calling him "wicked and slothful." He used the servant's own warped perception against him, essentially saying, 'Even if your untrue assessment of me were true, you still should have acted to produce some gain.' This indictment highlights that inaction born of fear or laziness is still blameworthy. He condemned not merely the lack of profit, but the lack of effort and the servant's wicked character revealed in his slothfulness and false accusations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But 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 did not scatter;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But 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 did not scatter;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But his lord in answer said to him, You are a bad and unready servant; if you had knowledge that I get in grain where I did not put seed, and make profits for which I have done no work,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And his lord answering said to him, Evil servant, and slothful, thou hadst known that I reap where I did not sow, and I gather whence I did not scatter!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not and gather where I have not strewed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And his lord answering said to him, Wicked and slothful bondman, thou knewest that I reap where I had not sowed, and gather from where I had not scattered;

Context

This verse presents the master's indignant and condemning response to the third servant's excuses in verses 24-25. It directly refutes the servant's justification and exposes his true character as "wicked and slothful." This rebuke is foundational to the master's judgment, explaining *why* the servant is deemed unprofitable and setting the stage for the specific instructions concerning his talent and his ultimate fate.

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

v.26This passage

v.27thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest.

Cross references

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

  • Job 15:5

    For thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth, And thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.

  • Matthew 18:32

    Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me:

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