Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 25:15

"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey." — Matthew 25:15 (ASV)

Modern English uses the word “talent” for skills and mental powers God has entrusted to men; but in NT times the “talent” (GK 5419) was a unit of exchange. Estimates of its value vary enormously for several reasons. (1) A talent could be of gold, silver, or copper, each with its own value. (2) The talent was first a measure according to weight, between 58 and 80 pounds, and then a unit of coinage, with a one common value assigned it (e.g., 6,000 denarii). (3) Modern inflation continues to change the value of a talent. Thus it is more sensible to compare the talent with modern currency in terms of earning power. If a talent was worth 6,000 denarii, then it would take a day laborer twenty years to earn so much. So the sums are vast. Moreover the talents are distributed according to the master’s evaluation of his servants’ capacities. The parable, therefore, lays intrinsic emphasis on the principle, “from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” .