New Testament
Matthew 25:14
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 7th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a man who is preparing to go on a long journey.
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a man about to leave on a long journey. He called his servants together and entrusted his goods to them.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Plain Meaning
This verse opens a parable. A wealthy man is about to leave on a long trip. Before he goes, he calls his servants together and hands over his property to them to manage while he is away. The point of the comparison is that the kingdom of heaven works the same way: someone in charge leaves, entrusts what belongs to him to others, and will return to settle accounts.
Read It in Context
Verse 13 ended the parable of the ten virgins with a warning to stay ready because no one knows when the Son of Man will return. Verse 14 opens a second parable that builds on the same idea. The rest of the parable (verses 15–30) shows what the servants did with what they were given and what happened when the master came back.
The full Clear view adds what to notice, common misreadings, and the passage that best explains this one — for Matthew 25:14 and any verse in the Bible.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a man who is preparing to go on a long journey. Before he leaves, he gathers his servants and gives them responsibility over his possessions. This illustrates the idea that God entrusts us with resources and responsibilities while He is away. The man represents God, and the servants symbolize believers who are expected to manage what they have been given wisely. The emphasis is on stewardship, accountability, and the importance of using our gifts and resources for the kingdom's work. Just as the servants must act in the absence of their master, we are called to live out our faith and make the most of our time and talents until Christ returns. This parable sets the stage for the following teachings about being prepared and faithful in our duties as followers of Christ.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Matthew 25:14 to your life
We should recognize that our time, talents, and resources are gifts from God. It is essential to use them wisely and faithfully in service to others and for God's glory. Regularly evaluate how you are managing what God has entrusted to you.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 25:14 mean?
Matthew 25:14 illustrates the concept of stewardship, where a man represents God who entrusts his possessions to his servants, symbolizing believers. It emphasizes the responsibility to manage what we have been given wisely while God is away.
What is the meaning of stewardship in Matthew 25:14?
Stewardship in Matthew 25:14 refers to the management of resources and responsibilities that God has entrusted to us. It highlights the importance of being accountable and using our gifts for the benefit of others and the kingdom.
How does Matthew 25:14 relate to personal responsibility?
Matthew 25:14 emphasizes personal responsibility by showing that each servant is accountable for how they manage the goods entrusted to them. This reflects the expectation that we should actively use our time and talents in service to God.
What lessons can we learn from Matthew 25:14?
From Matthew 25:14, we learn the importance of being good stewards of our resources, the need for accountability, and the call to prepare ourselves for Christ's return by using our gifts wisely.
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