A parable describing a man traveling abroad, turning over his stuff to personal servants.
Matthew 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Matthew 25:20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
And coming forward, this one, the one getting the five weights [of gold] presented another five weights saying: "Lord, five weights to me you delivered. Look! another five weights I profited!"
To whom more is given, more is expected.
"Talents" is an adapted rather than translated word Greek word meaning "weight." It was used to refer to a sum of money like we would say "five large" or "five big ones" referring to large denomination bills. As with bills, its meaning changed depending on the type of currency. Its meaning as "weight" is important to the punchline of the story. It was the name of the scales of Zeus on which was balanced the fortunes of men, an important aspect of this moral of this story.
Jesus's language in his analogies is very simple, having many fewer forms of wordplay and comic phrasing than his normal teaching. The "weight" above is an exception, but still, translators prefer their own phrasing to his.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "so" doesn't exist in the source.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "had" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- WF - Wrong Form - The "received" is not an active verb but a participle, "getting."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "five" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "came" is not the common word usually translated as "came."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "came" is not an active verb but a participle, "approaching."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "beside them" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "and" is not shown in the English translation.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "the man" doesn't exist in the source.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "had" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- WF - Wrong Form - The "received" is not an active verb but a participle, "getting."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "five" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "coming forward" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "weight" is not shown in the English translation.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "said" is not an active verb but a participle, "saying."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "entrusted" does not capture the specific meaning of the word.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "with" doesn't exist in the source.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "have" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "weight" is not shown in the English translation.
And -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
so -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "it" in the Greek source.
he that -- The word translated as "he that" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause. It is not the masculine pronoun usually translated as "he."
had -- (WT) This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
received -(WF) The word translated as "received" is a verb that primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing." This word is in the form of an adjective, so "getting."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
five -- This is the Greek word for the number five.
talents - "Talents" is an untranslated word in Greek meaning "a weight" as in a weight balancing a scale. It was used to refer to a sum of money like we would say "five large" or "five big ones" referring to large denomination bills. As with bills, its meaning changed depending on the type of currency. However, there is no English word that quite captures it.
came - (CW, WF) The word translated as "came" is a special form of the word commonly translated as "come." It has the sense of "coming forward," "coming closer," and "approach" but it is typically used for an inferior approaching a superior. It appears much earlier in the Greek in the form of an adjective, so "approaching."
and - -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "and" in the Greek source. It was added because the previous verb was translated as active rather than a participle.
brought - "Brought" is a verb that means "to bring to, " "to bring upon," "to present," "to offer," "to declare," and "to lead to." Here the sense is more "present."
other - The word translated as "other" is usually translated as "another" and with numerals means "further" or "more.
five -- This is the Greek word for the number five.
talents, - "Talents" is an untranslated word in Greek meaning "a weight" as in a weight balancing a scale. It was used to refer to a sum of money like we would say "five large" or "five big ones" referring to large denomination bills. As with bills, its meaning changed depending on the type of currency. However, there is no English word that quite captures it.
saying, - The word translated as "saying" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak."
Lord, - The Greek word translated as "lord," means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
deliveredst - "Deliveredst" is a compound word which literally means "to give over."
unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form on the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me," though the form has other uses in Greek.
five -- This is the Greek word for the number five.
talents:- - "Talents" is an untranslated word in Greek meaning "a weight" as in a weight balancing a scale. It was used to refer to a sum of money like we would say "five large" or "five big ones" referring to large denomination bills. As with bills, its meaning changed depending on the type of currency. However, there is no English word that quite captures it.
behold, - "Behold" is from an adverb meaning "Lo! Behold!" and "See there!" In a humorous vein, this about how Christ uses this like we use the phrase "ta-dah!" in a magic show, or "voilà!" in French.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
gained - The word translated as "gained" is means to "make profit," and "gain an advantage."
beside them --OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "beside them" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
five -- This is the Greek word for the number five.
talents - "Talents" is an untranslated word in Greek meaning "a weight" as in a weight balancing a scale. It was used to refer to a sum of money like we would say "five large" or "five big ones" referring to large denomination bills. As with bills, its meaning changed depending on the type of currency.
more. -- The word translated as "more" means "another," "one besides," "of another sort," "different," "other than what is true," "as well," "besides," with numerals: "yet," "still," "further."
missing "and" -- (MW) The untranslated word "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
The man -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "the man" in the Greek source.
who -- The word translated as "who" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause. It is not the masculine pronoun usually translated as "he."
had -- (WT) This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
received -(WF) The word translated as "received" is a verb that primarily means "take." However, it means "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English. Among these are the ideas of "understanding" and "possessing." This word is in the form of an adjective, so "getting."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
five -- This is the Greek word for the number five.
bags of gold. - The word translated as "bags of gold," is a word in Greek meaning "a weight" as in a weight balancing a scale. It was used to refer to a sum of money like we would say "five large" or "five big ones" referring to large denomination bills. As with bills, its meaning changed depending on the type of currency.
missing "coming forward" -- (MW) The untranslated word is a special form of the word commonly translated as "come." It has the sense of "coming forward," "coming closer," and "approach" but it is typically used for an inferior approaching a superior. It appears much earlier in the Greek in the form of an adjective, so "approaching."
brought - "Brought" is a verb that means "to bring to, " "to bring upon," "to present," "to offer," "to declare," and "to lead to." Here the sense is more "present."
the -- (IW) There is nothing here that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
other - The word translated as "other" is usually translated as "another" and with numerals means "further" or "more.
five -- This is the Greek word for the number five.
missing "weight" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "weight." It was used to refer to a sum of money like we would say "five large" or "five big ones" referring to large denomination bills. As with bills, its meaning changed depending on the type of currency.
‘Master,’ - The Greek word translated as "master," means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."
he -- This is from the third-person, singular, masculine form of the verb.
said, - (WF) The word translated as "said" is the most common word that means "to say," and "to speak." However, it is in the form of a participle, "saying."
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
entrusted - (CW) "Entrusted " is a compound word that literally means "to give over." It has nothing to do with "trust."
me -- The "me" is in the indirect object form on the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me," though the form has other uses in Greek.
with -- (IW) There is nothing here that can be translated as "with" in the Greek source. It was added because the verb was changed to different action.
five -- This is the Greek word for the number five.
bags of gold. - The word translated as "bags of gold," is a word in Greek meaning "a weight" as in a weight balancing a scale. It was used to refer to a sum of money like we would say "five large" or "five big ones" referring to large denomination bills. As with bills, its meaning changed depending on the type of currency.
See, - "See" is from an adverb meaning "Lo! Behold!" and "See there!" In a humorous vein, this about how Christ uses this like we use the phrase "ta-dah!" in a magic show, or "voilà!" in French.
I -- This is from the first-person, singular form of the verb.
have -- (WT) This helping verb "had" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
gained - The word translated as "gained" is means to "make profit," and "gain an advantage."
five -- This is the Greek word for the number five.
more. -- The word translated as "more" means "another," "one besides," "of another sort," "different," "other than what is true," "as well," "besides," with numerals: "yet," "still," "further."
missing "weight" -- (MW) The untranslated word means "weight." It was used to refer to a sum of money like we would say "five large" or "five big ones" referring to large denomination bills. As with bills, its meaning changed depending on the type of currency.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
προσελθὼν [6 verses](part sg aor act masc nom) "Came" is proserchomai, which means "come," "go to," "approach," "draw nigh," in hostile sense, "attack," "come in," "surrender," "capitulate," "come forward to speak," "appear before a tribunal or official," "apply oneself to," of things, "to be added," "come in (of revenue)" and "have sexual intercourse."
ὁ [294 verses](pron sg neut nom ) "He" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut acc)
πέντε [12 verses](numeral) "Five" is from pente, the number five.
τάλαντα [8 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Talents" is talanton, which means "a weight," "a pair of scales," "a commercial weight," and "a sum of money." In Greek mythology, it was the scales on which Zeus balanced the fortunes of men. As money, the amount varied in different systems.
λαβὼν [54 verse](part sg aor act masc nom) "That had received" is lambano means to "take," "take hold of," "grasp," "seize," "catch," "overtake," "find out," "detect," "take as," "take [food or drugs]," "understand," "take in hand," "undertake," "take in," "hold," "get," "receive [things]," "receive hospitably," "receive in marriage," "receive as produce," "profit," "admit," "initiate," "take hold of," "lay hold on," "seize and keep hold of," "obtain possession of," "lay hands upon," "find fault with," "censure," "to apprehend with the senses," "to take hold of," and "to seize." It is also specifically used to mean "seized with emotion."
προσήνεγκεν [7 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Brought" is prosphero, which means "to bring to, " "to bring upon," "to apply to," [without dat] "to apply, use, or use," "to add to," "to present," "to offer," "to address [proposals]," "to convey [property]," "to contribute," "to pay," "to be carried towards [passive]," "to attack," "to assault," "to go toward," "to deal with," "to take [food or drink]," to exhibit," "to declare," and "to lead to."
ἄλλα [34 verses](adj pl neut acc/nom) "Other" is from allos, which means "another," "one besides," "of another sort," "different," "other than what is true," "as well," "besides," (with numerals: "yet," "still," "further"), "of other sort," "other than what is," "untrue," "unreal," "other than right," "wrong," "bad," "unworthy," [with an article] "the rest," "all besides," and [in series] "one...another."
πέντε [12 verses](numeral) "Five" is from pente, the number five.
τάλαντα [8 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Talents" is from talanton, which means "a weight," "a pair of scales," "a commercial weight," and "a sum of money." In Greek mythology, it was the scales on which Zeus balanced the fortunes of men. As money, the amount varied in different systems.
λέγων [264 verses](part sg pres act masc nom) "Saying" is from lego, which means "to recount," "to tell over," "to say," "to speak," "to teach," "to mean," "boast of," "tell of," "recite," nominate," and "command." It has a secondary meaning "pick out," "choose for oneself," "pick up," "gather," "count," and "recount." A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay," "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep."
Κύριε, [92 verses](noun sg masc voc) "Lord" is kyrios (kurios), which means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."
πέντε [12 verses](numeral) "Five" is from pente, the number five.
τάλαντά [8 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Talents" is from talanton, which means "a weight," "a pair of scales," "a commercial weight," and "a sum of money." In Greek mythology, it was the scales on which Zeus balanced the fortunes of men. As money, the amount varied in different systems.
μοι [70 verses](pron 1st sg masc dat) "Unto me" is from moi, which means "I," "me," and "my." -- The "me" is in the dative, which has a number of uses in Greek.
παρέδωκας: [43 verses](verb 2nd sg aor ind act) "Though deliveredst" is paradidomi, which means "to give over to another," "to transmit," "to hand down," "to grant," "to teach," and "to bestow."
ἴδε [52 verses](verb 2nd sg aor imperat act) "Behold" is from idou, which means "to behold," "to see," and "to perceive." It acts as an adverbial phrase in this form meaning "Lo! Behold!" and "See there!' It is a form of the verb eido, which means "to see."
ἄλλα [34 verses](adj pl neut acc/nom) "Other" is from allos, which means "another," "one besides," "of another sort," "different," "other than what is true," "as well," "besides," (with numerals: "yet," "still," "further"), "of other sort," "other than what is," "untrue," "unreal," "other than right," "wrong," "bad," "unworthy," [with an article] "the rest," "all besides," and [in series] "one...another."
πέντε [12 verses](numeral) "Five" is from pente, the number five.
τάλαντα [8 verses](noun pl neut acc) "Talents" is from talanton, which means "a weight," "a pair of scales," "a commercial weight," and "a sum of money." In Greek mythology, it was the scales on which Zeus balanced the fortunes of men. As money, the amount varied in different systems.
ἐκέρδησα.[8 verses](verb 1st sg aor ind act) "I have gained" is kerdaino, which means "to gain," "to derive profit," "to spare or save oneself," and to "gain an advantage." In a negative sense, it means "to reap a disadvantage from a thing."
"And, coming closer, the one getting the five hundred dollars," he said, signaling the follower playing the part to come toward him, "offered the five hundred more."
The follower playing to role put out his two hands in offerings.
"Saying," the teacher continued, switching into a voice mimicking that follower, "Lord, you turned over to me five hundred dollars: ta-dah! I made a profit of five hundred more."
The others laughed at the impression.