Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 25:14

"For [it is] as [when] a man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods." — Matthew 25:14 (ASV)

For the kingdom of heaven, etc. This parable of the talents was spoken further to illustrate the manner in which he would deal with people at his return to judgment. The words, the kingdom of heaven, are not in the original but are very properly inserted by the translators.

The design of the parable is to teach that those who improve their talents or faculties in the cause of religion—who improve them for their own salvation and in doing good to others—will be proportionally rewarded. But those who neglect their talents, and neither secure their own salvation nor do good to others, will be punished. The kingdom of heaven is like such a man; that is, God deals with people, in his government, as such a man did.

His own servants. That is, such of them as he judged worthy of such a trust. These represent the apostles, Christian ministers, professing Christians, and perhaps all people. The going into a far country may represent the Lord Jesus going into heaven. He has given to all talents to improve, Ephesians 4:8.

His goods. His property—representing the offices, abilities, and opportunities for doing good, which he has given to his professed followers.