And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
Parallel translations
- WEB “He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
- BSB His master replied, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
- NKJV And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’
- NASB And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave; since you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to have authority over ten cities.’
- NLT “‘Well done!’ the king exclaimed. ‘You are a good servant. You have been faithful with the little I entrusted to you, so you will be governor of ten cities as your reward.’
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The master praises the good servant and gives him authority over ten cities. Faithfulness in small things is rewarded with greater responsibility.
Overview
The principle that faithfulness with little leads to greater trust runs throughout Jesus's teaching. The reward far exceeds the task, picturing the generous recompense God grants his faithful servants. The phrase "Well done, you good servant" anticipates the commendation believers long to hear from their Lord.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Luke 16:10He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
- Matt 25:21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
- Rev 2:26–29And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
- 1 Pet 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
- 1 Sam 2:30Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.
- 1 Cor 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
- Gen 39:4And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
- Luke 22:30That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- Rom 2:29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
- 1 Pet 5:4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
- 2 Tim 2:10Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
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Original language
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