For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Parallel translations
- WEB For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away.
- BSB For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
- NKJV ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
- NASB “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.
- NLT To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
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
To everyone who has, more will be given; from the one without, even what he has is taken. Faithful use of God's gifts brings increase, neglect brings loss.
Overview
This kingdom principle explains the master's action: genuine faith and faithfulness grow and are entrusted with more. Empty profession, having nothing real to build on, loses even its appearance. The saying recurs in the Gospels as a law of God's economy. It urges believers to use diligently what God has given, lest it be forfeited.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- Luke 8:18Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
- Matt 13:12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
- Mark 4:25For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
- Luke 19:25–26(And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
- John 15:2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
- Luke 10:42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
- Rev 2:5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
- Luke 16:9–12And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
- Luke 16:1–3And 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.
- Luke 12:19–21And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
- Matt 21:41They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
- Lam 2:6And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.
- Luke 16:20–25And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
- John 11:48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
- Hos 2:9Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.
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 25:29 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.