Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more.
Parallel translations
- WEB In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.
- KJV And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
- NKJV And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
- NASB In the same way the one who had received the two talents earned two more.
- NLT The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.
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
Likewise the servant with two talents gained two more. Faithfulness is the same standard for those given less.
Overview
The second servant, with fewer resources, shows the same diligence and proportionate gain. His example proves that faithfulness, not the size of the gift, is what counts. God measures stewardship by what we do with what we have. Every believer, however gifted, is called to this same active faithfulness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 21
- Prov 3:9–10Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;
- Eph 5:16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- Mark 14:3–8While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.
- 1 Kgs 18:3–4and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD,
- Acts 9:36–39In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was always occupied with works of kindness and charity.
- 2 Cor 9:11–14You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, so that through us your giving will produce thanksgiving to God.
- Gen 18:19For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
- Eccl 11:1–6Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
- Heb 6:10–11For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.
- 1 Pet 4:10As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
- 1 Tim 5:10and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
- Acts 10:2He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly.
- Col 4:17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
- Gal 6:9–10Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- 2 Tim 1:16–18May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he has often refreshed me and was unashamed of my chains.
- Acts 11:29–30So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
- 2 Cor 8:12For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
- 2 Kgs 4:8–10One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.
- Job 29:11–17For those who heard me called me blessed, and those who saw me commended me,
- 2 Sam 19:32Barzillai was quite old, eighty years of age, and since he was a very wealthy man, he had provided for the king while he stayed in Mahanaim.
- Job 31:16–22If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 25:17 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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