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What the Bible Says About Talent

Overview

The Bible addresses talent across 38 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, 1 Kings and Exodus. Closely related themes include Gifts from God, Judgment, Opportunity and Parables. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Solomon, Peter and Jesus.

Key Bible verses about talent

Old Testament

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 18:21

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Matthew 18:22

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:23

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

Matthew 18:24

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. talents: a talent is.ounces of silver, which after five shillings the ounce is.li..s.

Matthew 18:25

But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Matthew 18:26

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. worshipped him: or, besought him

Matthew 18:27

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

Matthew 18:28

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. pence: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents

Matthew 18:29

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Matthew 18:30

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

Matthew 18:31

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Matthew 18:32

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Matthew 18:33

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Matthew 18:34

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

Matthew 18:35

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

Matthew 25:14

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.

Matthew 25:15

And unto one he gave five talents to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. talents: a talent is.pounds.ten shillings, chap.18.24

Matthew 25:16

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

Matthew 25:17

And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

Matthew 25:18

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

Matthew 25:19

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

Matthew 25:20

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

Matthew 25:21

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matthew 25:22

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

Matthew 25:23

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matthew 25:24

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

Matthew 25:25

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

Matthew 25:26

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Matthew 25:27

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

Matthew 25:28

Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

Matthew 25:29

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Matthew 25:30

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

People in the Bible and talent

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying talent for yourself

  • Begin with Exodus 38:25, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Matthew, 1 Kings and Exodus each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Solomon, Peter and Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Gifts from God, Judgment, Opportunity and Parables.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about talent?

The Bible addresses talent across 38 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, 1 Kings and Exodus. Closely related themes include Gifts from God, Judgment, Opportunity and Parables. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Solomon, Peter and Jesus.

How many Bible verses are about talent?

The Bible references talent in 38 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention talent?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 38:25: “And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:”

Which people in the Bible are associated with talent?

Solomon, Peter and Jesus.

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