The Gospel of Matthew
The Talents: Mt 25,13-30
Good stories need to speak for themselves. This one needs only a few comments
While it has similarities with the parable of the virgins, this story of the talents is a parable not an allegory. Even so, there are some clear implications in the parable. The man who goes away for a long time we can only understand as Jesus whose return is awaited by the Christian community.
The traditional understanding of the talents as abilities more than money fits the story well. The emphasis is not on the talents but what the slaves do with those talents.
The man therefore gives responsibility to each slave according to his ability. This echoes the atmosphere of the book of Proverbs, being sensible as in the preceeding two parables, 24,45 and 25,2.
The man then goes away for a long time, verse 19. For Christians, this refers to the delay in the return of Christ, an important issue for them at the time of the evangleist.
During this time therefore, the two slaves with the most abilities do their business successfully. For this they are duly rewarded when the man returns in verses 21 and 23 with more responsibility and called to "enter into the joy of your master". They anticipate the sheep in the scene to come.
The slave with limited abilities does not even go as far as to use them. He might have been a good capitalist. He might have shown his limitations by putting the money on deposit. He does not even do that. Fear overtook him and it reaped fear's rewards from the man (25,26). Thus he prepares for the goats of the next scene by meriting condemnation (25,46).
Translating "master" as is common keeps this story as a parable. Yet the Greek is kupios, Lord, with its clear overtones..
Matthew likes strong language for his judgement scenes, as we have seen in 24,51.
In conclusion, the parable of the talents like the parable of the virgins puts an emphasis on preparedness and readiness despite the long delay of the return. Yet it also brings out the judgement which will unfold in the grand finale that now follows.
The Sunday Gospel
The poem of the ideal wife, Proverbs 31,10-31, provides a very clear understanding of talents as abilities. The wife can be seen as the reappearance of Lady Wisdom who features so strongly at the beginning of the book. With that in mind, reading the whole poem is much to be recommended.
therefore puts the emphasis on what the slaves do whilst awaiting the return of their master, in particular the two successful slaves.
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