For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Parallel translations
- WEB “For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them.
- BSB For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions.
- NKJV “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
- NASB “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them.
- NLT “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.
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 kingdom is like a man entrusting his goods to servants before a journey. Christ gives his people responsibilities to manage in his absence.
Overview
This parable of the talents pictures the time between Christ's departure and return. The master entrusts genuine wealth to his servants, expecting faithful stewardship. It teaches that waiting for Christ is active, not passive: we are accountable for what he has given. How we use our entrusted gifts reveals our true relationship to the Lord.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Mark 13:34For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
- Luke 19:12–27He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
- Rom 12:6–8Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
- 1 Pet 4:9–11Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
- Matt 25:14–30For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
- 1 Cor 4:1–2Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
- Eph 4:11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
- 1 Cor 12:4Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
- 1 Cor 12:7–29But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
- Matt 21:33Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
- Luke 16:1–12And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
- 1 Cor 3:5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
- Luke 20:9Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 25:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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