Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:27

What does Matthew 25:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:27 means

The master further exposed the servant's inexcusable laziness by pointing out that he could have at least put the money "to the bankers" to earn interest. Even this minimal effort would have yielded some return. This illustrates that there is no valid excuse for spiritual idleness or failing to use the gifts God provides. God expects some form of fruitfulness from all believers, even if it's the simplest investment of what has been entrusted.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Why, then, did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I would have got back what is mine with interest?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

it behoved thee then to put my money to the money-lenders, and having come I had received mine own with increase.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers: and at my coming I should have received my own with usury.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

thou oughtest then to have put my money to the money-changers, and when I came I should have got what is mine with interest.

Context

This verse continues the master's indictment of the one-talent servant, directly following his rebuke in verse 26. It highlights the minimal effort the servant *could* have made, further underscoring his inexcusable slothfulness. This instruction about putting the money to bankers reinforces the master's expectation of *some* productivity, no matter how small, and contrasts sharply with the servant's complete inaction, leading to the consequences outlined in the next verses.

v.26But 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;

v.27This passage

v.28Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents.

Cross references

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

  • Jude 1:15

    to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have ungodly wrought, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

  • Romans 3:19

    Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God:

  • Luke 19:22

    He saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up that which I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow;

  • Deuteronomy 23:19

    Thou shalt not lend upon interest to thy brother; interest of money, interest of victuals, interest of anything that is lent upon interest.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 25

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 25.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 25:27.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary