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.
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.
- KJV 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.
- 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.
- ESV For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
- 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.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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 8:18Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.”
- Matt 13:12For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has.
- Mark 4:25For whoever has, to him will more be given, and he who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.”
- Luke 19:25–26“They said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’
- John 15:2Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
- Luke 10:42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
- Rev 2:5Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lamp stand out of its place, unless you repent.
- Luke 16:9–12I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents.
- Luke 16:1–3He also said to his disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions.
- Luke 12:19–21I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.”’
- Matt 21:41They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will give him the fruit in its season.”
- Lam 2:6He has violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden; he has destroyed his place of assembly: Yahweh has caused solemn assembly and Sabbath to be forgotten in Zion, Has despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.
- Luke 16:20–25A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores,
- John 11:48If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
- Hos 2:9Therefore I will take back my grain in its time, and my new wine in its season, and will pluck away my wool and my flax which should have covered 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.