Matthew 25:14-30

Introduction

Our Gospel reading for today, the well-known “Parable of the Talents,” is one of a series of Jesus’ teachings in the Gospel of Matthew that focuses on what Davies and Allison rightly label “eschatological vigilance.”[1] This is because Jesus continually cautions His followers throughout Matthew 24–25 to “be alert” (24.42) with respect to the coming of the “end of the age” (24.3) whose timing “no one knows…except the Father only” (24.36).

Failure to ready oneself for the return of the Messianic king would be to, like the foolish virgins of the previous parable (Matt. 25.1–13), miss His return and forfeit a place in His eternal heavenly banquet as a consequence. It…