The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) and the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-28) has solicited many observations from theologians, pastors and commentators. Today, we consider a few of those astute observations.
“The parable of the talents which we have now read is near akin to that of the ten virgins. Both direct our minds to the same important event, the second advent of Jesus Christ. Both bring before us the same people, the members of the professing Church of Christ. The virgins and the servants are one and the same people, but the same people regarded from a different point, and viewed on different sides. The practical lesson of each parable is the main point of difference. Vigilance is the key note of the first parable, diligence that of the second. The story of the virgins calls on the Church to WATCH, the story of the talents calls on the Church to WORK.” – J.C. Ryle
“We have here the parable of the talents committed to three servants; this implies that we are in a state of work and business, as the former implies that we are in a state of expectancy. That showed the necessity of habitual preparation, this of actual diligence in our present work and service. In that we were stirred up to do well for our own souls; in this to lay out ourselves for the glory of God and the good of others.” – Matthew Henry
“What does it mean to be a Christian? What is a person who is a true Christian look like? What are the things that a true Christian does? What are the attitudes that a true Christian has? We could ask that question in many different ways and we could give many answers which are legitimate to that question, but I want you to see that Jesus is pressing that home on His disciples. He’s preaching this message to His own disciples and yet He’s talking to them about people who appear to be servants of the king who do not live as if they are servants of the king. And He’s giving them a tremendous warning against those who profess to be His followers but in their lives, totally neglect to live as if they were His followers. I’d like you to see the 3 parts of this story. If you look at verse 14 and 15, you’ll see a description of the trust that this master gave to his slave before he went away on a long journey. Then if you look at verse16-18, you’ll see an account of how each one of these servants did and what they did with the trust that had been given to them. And then finally in verses 19-30, you’ll the master return to settle his accounts with theses particular slaves and you’ll see how two of them were rewarded and one of them was condemned and punished.” – Dr. Ligon Duncan
“Though this exhortation — as will appear from the conclusion of it–has nearly the same object with the former, yet it is properly added, in order to confirm believers in perseverance. Our Lord knew how strongly the nature of men is inclined to idleness, and how, for the most part, they not only grow weary after a great lapse of time, but give way through sudden dislike. To remedy this disease, he taught his disciples that they were not duly fortified, unless they had sufficient perseverance for a long period. When this is ascertained to be the design of the parable, we ought not to trouble ourselves much with minute investigations, which have nothing to do with what Christ intended.” – John Calvin
May all of us who have ears to hear, and eyes to read, understand the meaning of the Parables of the Ten Virgins and the Talents. In light of Jesus Christ’s soon return, may each of us be watchful and working for the glory of God. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
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