In understanding the parable of the talents (Matthew 25.14-30), it might be that the designation
"servant" includes anyone who makes claim to God, especially the Jew,
or it could be that the servant-master relationship is analogous to the
creature-Creator relationship.
I believe the following saying, as it is used elsewhere, is instructive in understanding the parable: the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. (Mat 25.29) These words appear in Mat 13.12. Jesus says this in response as to why he spoke in parables to the multitudes, predominately Jewish. The parables were a judgment on them. He also said these words in Luke 19.26 in connection with the parable of the 10 minas. This parable has similarities to the Talent parable, yet with some extra details such as the master of the slaves being hated by his citizens. I believe this must be a reference to the Jewish nation, and the slave must be a reference more to the individual and his responsibility to the master's entrustment.
It seems to me that the talents and minas represent something more than just something entrusted, but that which should be desired or grasped, like the revelation of God--especially the gospel of the kingdom. The Jewish people were entrusted with this revelation, and so in a sense, they had something, but not all of them properly desired or grasped it, and so in a sense, these didn't have it. Those who had grasped it could be said to have, and to them was given more. Those Jews who believed in Christ, who were unlike the multitudes who came to hear Jesus, were not under the judgment as Jesus explained in Mat 13. Those who believed were granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, ... for to whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have abundance. (Mat 13.11-12) But those who had hard hearts to the revelation, who did not desire or grasp the truth, it was "not granted" to know the mysteries of the kingdom. They did not have it in that they did not desire it or grasp it. They were priviledge to hear, but because they were not ready or hungry to receive it, the understanding would not be given them (from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away". It would be given to the one who was receptive.
Maybe the parable of the sower would somewhat explain the process: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved Luke 8.11-12 One could also consider what Jesus said to Martha about Mary: Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10.41-42
I believe the following saying, as it is used elsewhere, is instructive in understanding the parable: the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. (Mat 25.29) These words appear in Mat 13.12. Jesus says this in response as to why he spoke in parables to the multitudes, predominately Jewish. The parables were a judgment on them. He also said these words in Luke 19.26 in connection with the parable of the 10 minas. This parable has similarities to the Talent parable, yet with some extra details such as the master of the slaves being hated by his citizens. I believe this must be a reference to the Jewish nation, and the slave must be a reference more to the individual and his responsibility to the master's entrustment.
It seems to me that the talents and minas represent something more than just something entrusted, but that which should be desired or grasped, like the revelation of God--especially the gospel of the kingdom. The Jewish people were entrusted with this revelation, and so in a sense, they had something, but not all of them properly desired or grasped it, and so in a sense, these didn't have it. Those who had grasped it could be said to have, and to them was given more. Those Jews who believed in Christ, who were unlike the multitudes who came to hear Jesus, were not under the judgment as Jesus explained in Mat 13. Those who believed were granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, ... for to whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have abundance. (Mat 13.11-12) But those who had hard hearts to the revelation, who did not desire or grasp the truth, it was "not granted" to know the mysteries of the kingdom. They did not have it in that they did not desire it or grasp it. They were priviledge to hear, but because they were not ready or hungry to receive it, the understanding would not be given them (from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away". It would be given to the one who was receptive.
Maybe the parable of the sower would somewhat explain the process: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved Luke 8.11-12 One could also consider what Jesus said to Martha about Mary: Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10.41-42
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