Word Pictures in the New Testament - Matthew
A. T. Robertson
25:9 Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you [m pote ou m arkesei h mŒn kai humŒn]. There is an elliptical construction here that is not easy of explanation. Some MSS. Aleph A L Z have [ouk] instead of [ou m ]. But even so [m pote] has to be explained either by supplying an imperative like [ginesth ] or by a verb of fearing like [phoboumetha] (this most likely). Either [ouk] or [ou m ] would be proper with the futuristic subjunctive [arkesei] (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 192; Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1161,1174). “We are afraid that there is no possibility of there being enough for us both.” This is a denial of oil by the wise virgins because there was not enough for both. “It was necessary to show that the foolish virgins could not have the consequences of their folly averted at the last moment” (Plummer). It is a courteous reply, but it is decisive. The compound Greek negatives are very expressive, [m pote—ou m ]. 25:10 And while they went away [aperchomen n de aut n]. Present middle participle, genitive absolute, while they were going away, descriptive linear action. Picture of their inevitable folly. Was shut [ekleisth ]. Effective aorist passive indicative, shut to stay shut. 25:11 Afterward [husteron]. And find the door shut in their faces. Lord, Lord, open to us [Kurie, Kurie, anoixon h min]. They appeal to the bridegroom who is now master whether he is at the bride’s house or his own. 25:12 I know you not [ouk oida hum s]. Hence there was no reason for special or unusual favours to be granted them. They must abide the consequences of their own negligence. 25:13 Watch therefore [gr goreite oun]. This is the refrain with all the parables. Lack of foresight is inexcusable. Ignorance of the time of the second coming is not an excuse for neglect, but a reason for readiness. Every preacher goes up against this trait in human nature, putting off till another time what should be done today. 25:14 Going into another country [apod m n]. About to go away from one’s people [d mos], on the point of going abroad. This word in ancient use in this sense. There is an ellipse here that has to be supplied, It is as when or The kingdom of heaven is as when. This Parable of the Talents is quite similar to the Parable of the Pounds in Lu 19:11-28, but they are not variations of the same story. Some scholars credit Jesus with very little versatility. His goods [ta huparchonta autou]. His belongings, neuter participle used as a substantive. 25:15 To one [h i men, h i de, h i de]. Demonstrative [hos], not the relative. Neat Greek idiom. According to his several ability [kata t n idian dunamin]. According to his own ability. Each had all that he was capable of handling. The use that one makes of his opportunities is the measure of his capacity for more. One talent represented a considerable amount of money at that time when a [denarius] was a day’s wage. See on 18:24 for the value of a talent. 25:16 Straightway [euthe s]. Beginning of verse 16, not the end of verse 15. The business temper of this slave is shown by his promptness. With them [en autois]. Instrumental use of [en]. He
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