The last recorded parable of the Gospel of Matthew deals with reward or loss

consequent upon service rendered to an absent Lord.

The parable opens much like the Sower, for in each case the formula, "The kingdom

of the heavens is like unto," is omitted. The first parable (for parable it is, see 13: 18),

starts with the words, "Behold the Sower went forth to sow"; the last with the words,

"For as a man travelling into a far country". Both parables speak of results. There is the

ground that produces no fruit, and the ground that does. Then again the fruitfulness

varies, some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, some an hundred-fold; this is exactly echoed in

the parable before us. There is the unprofitable servant, there are the profitable ones.

Their profitableness, though similar in ratio, is nevertheless different in amount, one

produces five talents, the other two.

There is another comparison which we must remember. On page 43 of Volume 4:

& 5: is set out the structure of this second set of parables which commences with

18: 23-35, the wicked servant, and introduces the word sunairõ, "to reckon",

which occurs nowhere else except in the last parable of Matthew, which is the one at

present under notice. This set of parables is bounded by the idea of a reckoning with

servants, and comes in that section of Matthew where the public ministry of Christ

becomes less and the private ministry more prominent. Moreover, in both parables there

is a reference to "talents".

The parable of the talents divides itself into three sections, the nobleman's prospective

going, his absence, and return. Each action of the nobleman has a bearing upon his

servants; to them in the first place the goods are delivered, in the second they trade with

the goods or otherwise, and in the third they are rewarded or punished accordingly. This

will be seen clearly if set out as follows:--

A1 | 14. The journey contemplated.

B1 | 15-. The delivery of the goods to the servants.

A2 | -15. The departure.

B2 | 16-18. The use of the goods by the servants.

A3 | 19. The return and the reckoning.

B3 | 20-30. The reward or punishment of the servants.

It will be observed that the period of service is during the Lord's absence. The

commission is given just before his departure, and the reward is given upon his return.

At the close of each of the four Gospels, the soon departing Lord gives various

commissions to His disciples. John shows in the difference between the ministry given to