Bible: Parable of Talents
The Parable of Talents from the Gospels of Matthew & Luke seems to condone usury, as a servant is punished by his master for not putting money into the bank. But as usual, the story is pun-encrypted. In the secret story, the servant is criticized because he doesn’t extort interest from a poor debtor, but instead helps him and lets him get away!
Introduction
The Parable of Talents is a story told by Jesus to his disciples, in Matthew 25 and Luke 19. It’s interesting because the text seems to condone usury, which contradicts the Christian church’s condemnation of usury.
The literal story is as follows: A wealthy man goes abroad. He entrusts five, two and one talent of money, respectively, to each of his servants. The servants with the larger sums invest it. Upon returning, the pleased master receives the double amount. The servant with one talent, however, is too afraid to invest it, and hides it in the ground instead. When the master returns, he can only give back the original sum. The master criticizes him as lazy, and says he should’ve just put the money into a bank. The one talent is given to the one with the most talents. The servant is then thrown out.
The figurative meaning is relatively clear: The money talents are likely supposed to stand for talents in the sense of abilities. The servants receiving different sums “according to their abilities” even hints at that. As in the parable, abilities are not dispensed equally by God, but still people are expected to use what they have. The last servant is criticized for not using his God-given abilities. (This parable may even be the origin of “talents” meaning “abilities”, or it may have used existing wordplay in that sense.)
The direct meaning, however, is problematic: In the Matthew version, the servants aren’t explicitly instructed to trade with the money, so the criticism is unwarranted. Trading is risky, so the last servant may have rightfully played it safe. So superficially, the parable criticizes people who are not willing to put other people’s money at risk. The special emphasis that talents are always given to the ones who already have the most also seems unjust, regardless whether it’s money or abilities. And the punishment is to throw the servant out of the house without a second chance, which also seems un-Christian. Lastly, the parable seems to endorse putting money into the banking business, which is pure usury. It’s typically explained as meaning “better than doing nothing”. But it could be argued that supporting usury is worse than doing nothing, all the more for a wealthy man, who doesn’t need further profit. So overall, the parable could have been written much better.
The reason why it’s written so unsatisfactorily is, of course, pun-encryption:
The secret meaning is that the talents are really poor debtors, and the master and his servants are themselves usurers! In preparation for the master’s absence, the servants receive debt-notes for extortion, each according to his own wealth. The two richer servants act like the merciless money-mongers that they are. They not only squeeze the interest out of their debtors, but even manage to indebt more poor people. The master rewards them by making them partners in his usury business. Only the poorest servant has mercy with his debtor. He helps the poor family, hides the debtor in the countryside, and boldly tells the master that he is alive and well! The final lesson spoken by the master is that only servants who are themselves wealthy can be let in on the usury business. Poorer servants must be somehow beguiled about its unjust & avaricious nature.
Very few puns are needed for this encryption to work:
- ὑπαρχω hyparchō “possessions” puns with ὑποχρεως hypochreōs “debtor”. This is what the master hands over!
- ταλαντον talanton “talent” puns with τλαντων tlantōn “sufferer”, i.e. a poor debtor.
- απελθων ωρυξεν γην ōryxen gen “went away and dug into the ground” puns with απελθων αρηξοιεν γενεαν arēxoien genean “went against it and helped the family”.
- αργυριον argyrion “money” puns with αγρον agron “farmer”, i.e. the indebted farmer.
- Almost all other encryptions are variations of the same word!
(There is also a slightly different version of this story in Luke 19, with minas instead of talents. The puns are less clear, but probably similar: mna “mina” for amynō “requital”, and polis “city” for polys “commoner”.)
To me, this is a rare example where the encrypted story is actually more positive & inspiring than the literal story. Not only do the poor people win here, and for once manage to get the better of the rich usurer. But the authors also made little effort to have the merciful servant look evil or stupid in the story. Instead, the insults by the master can be pun-translated into the servant being a proud & courageous man! Let’s all follow his example. Just be more clever, and don’t tell the masters about it.
How to read this
- In the interlinear word-by-word translation, each word is shown as a little block; each verse is a paragraph of little blocks.
- Use the to choose your level: for secret meaning only, for secret & official English texts, for word-by-word vocabulary, for original text & glyphs.
- Possible pun-encrypted meaning is marked with light red.
- Official meaning is marked with light green.
- Pun vocabulary is in red, whenever the meaning differs. All vocabulary is linked to online dictionaries.
- Please read the introduction, and judge yourself whether I got it right.
- Religious readers should proceed with care.
Parable of Debtors
A master hands over his debtors to his servants, according to their wealth.
Matthew 25:14
Encrypted: It is like when a wealthy man was going away on a journey, who called his own servants, and handed over to them the debtors of him.
Official: It is like when a wealthy man was going away on a journey, who called his own servants, and handed over to them the possessing of him.
[It is] like
ὡσπερ hōsper: just as, even as
Ὡσπερ hōsper
ὡσπερ hōsper: just as, even as
[It is] like
[when]
γαρ gar: for, indeed
γαρ gar
γαρ gar: for, indeed
[when]
a [wealthy] man
ανθρωπος anthrōpos: man
ανθρωπος anthrōpos
ανθρωπος anthrōpos: man
a [wealthy] man
was going away [on a journey],
αποδημεω apodēmeō: go away, depart
αποδημων apodēmōn
αποδημεω apodēmeō: go away, depart
was going away [on a journey],
[who] called
καλεω kaleō: call
εκαλεσεν ekalesen
καλεω kaleō: call
[who] called
his
ὁ ho: the, he
τους tous
ὁ ho: the, he
his
own
ιδιος idios: one's own, distinct
ιδιους idious
ιδιος idios: one's own, distinct
own
servants,
δουλος doulos: slave
δουλους doulous
δουλος doulos: slave
servants,
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
handed over
παραδιδωμι paradidōmi: deliver, hand over
παρεδωκεν paredōken
παραδιδωμι paradidōmi: deliver, hand over
handed over
[to] them
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτοις autois
αυτος autos: self, he
[to] them
the
ὁ ho: the, he
τα ta
ὁ ho: the, he
the
debtors
ὑποχρεως hypochreōs: indebted, in debt, debtor
ὑπαρχοντα hyparchonta
ὑπαρχω hyparchō: possessions, private means
possessing
of him.
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτου autou
αυτος autos: self, he
of him.
Matthew 25:15
Encrypted: And to one indeed he gave five sufferers, to one then two, to one then one, to each according to his own wealth. And he departed at once.
Official: And to one indeed he gave five talents, to one then two, to one then one, to each according to his own ability. And he departed at once.
And
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
And
[to] one
ὁς hos: who, which
ὡ hō
ὁς hos: who, which
[to] one
indeed
μεν men: indeed
μεν men
μεν men: indeed
indeed
[he] gave
διδωμι didōmi: give
εδωκεν edōken
διδωμι didōmi: give
[he] gave
five
πεντε pente: five
πεντε pente
πεντε pente: five
five
sufferers,
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντα talanta
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talents,
[to] one
ὁς hos: who, which
ὡ hō
ὁς hos: who, which
[to] one
then
δε de: but, and
δε de
δε de: but, and
then
two,
δυο duo: two
δυο dyo
δυο duo: two
two,
[to] one
ὁς hos: who, which
ὡ hō
ὁς hos: who, which
[to] one
then
δε de: but, and
δε de
δε de: but, and
then
one,
εις eis: one, other
ἑν hen
εις eis: one, other
one,
[to] each
εκαστος ekastos: each, every
ἑκαστω hekastō
εκαστος ekastos: each, every
[to] each
according to
κατα kata: down, against
κατα kata
κατα kata: down, against
according to
[his]
ὁ ho: the, he
την tēn
ὁ ho: the, he
[his]
own
ιδιος idios: one's own, distinct
ιδιαν idian
ιδιος idios: one's own, distinct
own
wealth.
δυναμις dynamis: power, pecuniary ability, wealth
δυναμιν dynamin
δυναμις dynamis: strength, ability
ability.
And
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
And
[he] departed
αποδημεω apodēmeō: go away, depart
απεδημησεν apedēmēsen
αποδημεω apodēmeō: go away, depart
[he] departed
at once.
ευθεως eutheōs: at once, directly
Ευθεως eutheōs
ευθεως eutheōs: at once, directly
at once.
The rich servants collect interest, and indebt more poor people.
Matthew 25:16
Encrypted: Having gone, the one who five sufferers had received, collected interest with them, and gained advantage over another five.
Official: Having gone, the one who five talents had received, traded with them, and gained another five.
Having gone,
πορευομαι poreuomai: go
Πορευθεις poreutheis
πορευομαι poreuomai: go
Having gone,
the [one]
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
the [one]
[who]
ὁ ho: the, he
τα ta
ὁ ho: the, he
[who]
five
πεντε pente: five
πεντε pente
πεντε pente: five
five
sufferers
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντα talanta
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talents
had received,
λαμβανω lambanō: take, receive
λαβων labōn
λαμβανω lambanō: take, receive
had received,
[collected?] interest
εργον ergon: wealth, profit, interest
ηργασατο ērgasato
εργαζομαι ergazomai: work, trade; εργον ergon: work
traded
with
εν en: in, on
εν en
εν en: in, on
with
them,
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτοις autois
αυτος autos: self, he
them,
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
gained advantage
κερδαινω kerdainō: make profit, gain advantage
εκερδησεν ekerdēsen
κερδαινω kerdainō: gain, win
gained
[over?] another
αλλος allos: other, another
αλλα alla
αλλος allos: other, another
another
five.
πεντε pente: five
πεντε pente
πεντε pente: five
five.
Matthew 25:17
Encrypted: Likewise, the one with the two gained advantage over another two.
Official: Likewise, the one with the two gained another two.
Likewise,
ὡσαυτως hōsautōs: likewise, in the same way
ὡσαυτως hōsautōs
ὡσαυτως hōsautōs: likewise, in the same way
Likewise,
the [one with]
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
the [one with]
the
ὁ ho: the, he
τα ta
ὁ ho: the, he
the
two
δυο duo: two
δυο dyo
δυο duo: two
two
gained advantage
κερδαινω kerdainō: make profit, gain advantage
εκερδησεν ekerdēsen
κερδαινω kerdainō: gain, win
gained
[over?] another
αλλος allos: other, another
αλλα alla
αλλος allos: other, another
another
two.
δυο duo: two
δυο dyo
δυο duo: two
two.
The poorest servant helps his debtor to hide from the master.
Matthew 25:18
Encrypted: The one, however, who one had received, he went against this, instead helped the poor family, and hid the farmer from the master of him.
Official: The one, however, who one had received, he instead went away, dug in the ground, and hid the money of the master of him.
The [one],
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
The [one],
however,
δε de: but, and
δε de
δε de: but, and
however,
[who]
ὁ ho: the, he
το to
ὁ ho: the, he
[who]
one
εις eis: one, other
ἑν hen
εις eis: one, other
one
had received,
λαμβανω lambanō: take, receive
λαβων labōn
λαμβανω lambanō: take, receive
had received,
[he] went against [this??],
επερχομαι eperchomai: come against, proceed against
απελθων apelthōn
απερχομαι aperchomai: go away
[he instead] went away,
[instead] helped
αρηγω / αρηξοιεν arēgō / arēxoien: help, aid, succour
ωρυξεν ōryxen
ορυσσω / ωρυξεν oryssō / ōryxen: dig, excavate
dug in
[the poor] family,
γενεα genea: family
γην gēn
γη / γην gē / gēn: earth
the ground,
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
hid
κρυπτω kryptō: hide
εκρυψεν ekrypsen
κρυπτω kryptō: hide
hid
the
ὁ ho: the, he
το to
ὁ ho: the, he
the
farmer
αγρος / αγρον agros / agron: fields, farm, country
αργυριον argyrion
αργυριον argyrion: silver, money
money
[from??] the
ὁ ho: the, he
του tou
ὁ ho: the, he
of the
master
κυριος kyrios: lord, master
κυριου kyriou
κυριος kyrios: lord, master
master
of him.
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτου autou
αυτος autos: self, he
of him.
The master promotes the rich servants to be partners in his usury business.
Matthew 25:19
Encrypted: Then, after much time, came back the master of the servants those, and took account with them.
Official: Then, after much time, came back the master of the servants those, and took account with them.
[Then,] after
μετα meta: after
Μετα meta
μετα meta: after
[Then,] after
δε de: but, and
δε de
δε de: but, and
much
πολυς polys: much, many
πολυν polyn
πολυς polys: much, many
much
time,
χρονος chronos: time, all
χρονον chronon
χρονος chronos: time, all
time,
came back
ερχομαι erchomai: come
ερχεται erchetai
ερχομαι erchomai: come
came back
the
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
the
master
κυριος kurios: lord, master
κυριος kyrios
κυριος kurios: lord, master
master
of the
ὁ ho: the, he
των tōn
ὁ ho: the, he
of the
servants
δουλος doulos: slave
δουλων doulōn
δουλος doulos: slave
servants
those,
εκεινος ekeinos: that, there
εκεινων ekeinōn
εκεινος ekeinos: that, there
those,
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
took
συναιρεω synaireō: bring together, reconcile
συναιρει synairei
συναιρεω synaireō: bring together, reconcile
took
account
λογος logos: word, report, account
λογον logon
λογος logos: word, report, account
account
with
μετα meta: with
μετ met
μετα meta: with
with
them.
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτων autōn
αυτος autos: self, he
them.
Matthew 25:20
Encrypted: And having come, the one who the five sufferers had received brought to him debt notes of another five sufferers, saying: Master, five sufferers, to me did you hand over. Behold, over another five sufferers have I gained advantage.
Official: And having come, the one who the five talents had received brought to him another five talents, saying: Master, five talents to me did you hand over. Behold, another five talents have I gained.
And
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
And
having come,
προσερχομαι proserchomai: come, approach
προσελθων proselthōn
προσερχομαι proserchomai: come, approach
having come,
the [one]
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
the [one]
[who] the
ὁ ho: the, he
τα ta
ὁ ho: the, he
[who] the
five
πεντε pente: five
πεντε pente
πεντε pente: five
five
sufferers
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντα talanta
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talents
had received
λαμβανω lambanō: take, receive
λαβων labōn
λαμβανω lambanō: take, receive
had received
brought to [him]
προσφερω prospherō: bring, offer
προσηνεγκεν prosēnegken
προσφερω prospherō: bring, offer
brought to [him]
[debt notes of?] another
αλλος allos: other, another
αλλα alla
αλλος allos: other, another
another
five
πεντε pente: five
πεντε pente
πεντε pente: five
five
sufferers,
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντα talanta
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talents,
saying:
λεγω legō: say
λεγων legōn
λεγω legō: say
saying:
Master,
κυριος kurios: lord, master
Κυριε kyrie
κυριος kurios: lord, master
Master,
five
πεντε pente: five
πεντε pente
πεντε pente: five
five
sufferers,
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντα talanta
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talents
to me
εγω egō: I, mine
μοι moi
εγω egō: I, mine
to me
did [you] hand over.
παραδιδωμι paradidōmi: deliver, hand over
παρεδωκας paredōkas
παραδιδωμι paradidōmi: deliver, hand over
did [you] hand over.
Behold,
ὁραω horaō: see
ιδε ide
ὁραω horaō: see
Behold,
[over?] another
αλλος allos: other, another
αλλα alla
αλλος allos: other, another
another
five
πεντε pente: five
πεντε pente
πεντε pente: five
five
sufferers
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντα talanta
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talents
have [I] gained advantage.
κερδαινω kerdainō: make profit, gain advantage
εκερδησα ekerdēsa
κερδαινω kerdainō: gain, win
have [I] gained.
Matthew 25:21
Encrypted: Said to him the master of him: Well done, servant, beneficial and obedient! Towards the oligarchs you were obedient. Over the commoners you I can appoint. Enter into the debt business of the master of you!
Official: Said to him the master of him: Well done, servant, good and trustworthy! Over a few things you were trustworthy. Over many things you I will appoint. Enter into the joy of the master of you!
Said
φημι phēmi: declare
Εφη ephē
φημι phēmi: declare
Said
to him
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτω autō
αυτος autos: self, he
to him
the
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
the
master
κυριος kurios: lord, master
κυριος kyrios
κυριος kurios: lord, master
master
of him:
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτου autou
αυτος autos: self, he
of him:
Well [done],
ευ eu: well, good
Ευ eu
ευ eu: well, good
Well [done],
servant,
δουλος doulos: slave
δουλε doule
δουλος doulos: slave
servant,
beneficial
αγαθος agathos: serviceable, benefit
αγαθε agathe
αγαθος agathos: good
good
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
obedient!
πιστος pistos: obedient
πιστε piste
πιστος pistos: faithful, trustworthy
trustworthy!
Towards
επι epi: against, towards
επι epi
επι epi: on, over
Over
the oligarchs
ολιγος oligos: the few, governing body in oligarchies
ολιγα oliga
ολιγος oligos: few, little
a few [things]
[you] were
ειμι eimi: be
ης ēs
ειμι eimi: be
[you] were
obedient.
πιστος pistos: obedient
πιστος pistos
πιστος pistos: faithful, trustworthy
trustworthy.
Over
επι epi: on, upon
επι epi
επι epi: on, upon
Over
the commoners
πολυς polys: multitude, people, commonalty
πολλων pollōn
πολυς polys: much, many
many [things]
you
συ su: you
σε se
συ su: you
you
[I can] appoint.
καθιστημι kathistēmi: appoint, set
καταστησω katastēsō
καθιστημι kathistēmi: appoint, set
[I will] appoint.
Enter
εισερχομαι eiserchomai: go in
εισελθε eiselthe
εισερχομαι eiserchomai: go in
Enter
into
εις eis: into
εις eis
εις eis: into
into
the
ὁ ho: the, he
την tēn
ὁ ho: the, he
the
[debt] business
χρεος / χρεων chreos / chreōn: debt, business
χαραν charan
χαρα / χαραν chara / charan: joy, gladness
joy
of the
ὁ ho: the, he
του tou
ὁ ho: the, he
of the
master
κυριος kurios: lord, master
κυριου kyriou
κυριος kurios: lord, master
master
of you!
συ su: you
σου sou
συ su: you
of you!
Matthew 25:22
Encrypted: Having come then also, the one with the two sufferers said: Master, two sufferers to me did you hand over. Behold, over another two sufferers have I gained advantage.
Official: Having come then also, the one with the two talents said: Master, two talents to me did you hand over. Behold, another two talents have I gained.
Having come
προσερχομαι proserchomai: come, approach
Προσελθων proselthōn
προσερχομαι proserchomai: come, approach
Having come
then
δε de: but, and
δε de
δε de: but, and
then
also,
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
also,
the [one]
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
the [one]
[with] the
ὁ ho: the, he
τα ta
ὁ ho: the, he
[with] the
two
δυο duo: two
δυο dyo
δυο duo: two
two
sufferers
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντα talanta
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talents
said:
λεγω legō: say
ειπεν eipen
λεγω legō: say
said:
Master,
κυριος kurios: lord, master
Κυριε kyrie
κυριος kurios: lord, master
Master,
two
δυο duo: two
δυο dyo
δυο duo: two
two
sufferers
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντα talanta
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talents
to me
εγω egō: I, mine
μοι moi
εγω egō: I, mine
to me
did [you] hand over.
παραδιδωμι paradidōmi: deliver, hand over
παρεδωκας paredōkas
παραδιδωμι paradidōmi: deliver, hand over
did [you] hand over.
Behold,
ὁραω horaō: see
ιδε ide
ὁραω horaō: see
Behold,
[over?] another
αλλος allos: other, another
αλλα alla
αλλος allos: other, another
another
two
δυο duo: two
δυο dyo
δυο duo: two
two
sufferers
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντα talanta
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talents
have [I] gained advantage.
κερδαινω kerdainō: make profit, gain advantage
εκερδησα ekerdēsa
κερδαινω kerdainō: gain, win
have [I] gained.
Matthew 25:23
Encrypted: Said to him the master of him: Well done, servant, beneficial and obedient! Towards the oligarchs you were obedient. Over the commoners you I can appoint. Enter into the debt business of the master of you!
Official: Said to him the master of him: Well done, servant, good and trustworthy! Over a few things you were trustworthy. Over many things you I will appoint. Enter into the joy of the master of you!
Said
φημι phēmi: declare
Εφη ephē
φημι phēmi: declare
Said
to him
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτω autō
αυτος autos: self, he
to him
the
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
the
master
κυριος kurios: lord, master
κυριος kyrios
κυριος kurios: lord, master
master
of him:
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτου autou
αυτος autos: self, he
of him:
Well [done],
ευ eu: well, good
Ευ eu
ευ eu: well, good
Well [done],
servant,
δουλος doulos: slave
δουλε doule
δουλος doulos: slave
servant,
beneficial
αγαθος agathos: serviceable, benefit
αγαθε agathe
αγαθος agathos: good
good
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
obedient!
πιστος pistos: obedient
πιστε piste
πιστος pistos: faithful, trustworthy
trustworthy!
Towards
επι epi: towards
επι epi
επι epi: on, upon
Over
the oligarchs
ολιγος oligos: the few, governing body in oligarchies
ολιγα oliga
ολιγος oligos: few, little
a few [things]
[you] were
ειμι eimi: be
ης ēs
ειμι eimi: be
[you] were
obedient.
πιστος pistos: obedient
πιστος pistos
πιστος pistos: faithful, trustworthy
trustworthy.
Over
επι epi: on, upon
επι epi
επι epi: on, upon
Over
the commoners
πολυς polys: many, multitude, people, commonalty
πολλων pollōn
πολυς polys: much, many
many [things]
you
συ su: you
σε se
συ su: you
you
[I can] appoint.
καθιστημι kathistēmi: appoint, set
καταστησω katastēsō
καθιστημι kathistēmi: appoint, set
[I will] appoint.
Enter
εισερχομαι eiserchomai: go in
εισελθε eiselthe
εισερχομαι eiserchomai: go in
Enter
into
εις eis: into
εις eis
εις eis: into
into
the
ὁ ho: the, he
την tēn
ὁ ho: the, he
the
[debt] business
χρεος / χρεων chreos / chreōn: debt, business
χαραν charan
χαρα / χαραν chara / charan: joy, gladness
joy
of the
ὁ ho: the, he
του tou
ὁ ho: the, he
of the
master
κυριος kurios: lord, master
κυριου kyriou
κυριος kurios: lord, master
master
of you!
συ su: you
σου sou
συ su: you
of you!
The poor servant admits having helped the debtor, and is berated.
Matthew 25:24
Encrypted: Having come then also, the one who the one sufferer had received said: Master, I know you, that harsh you are a man, reaping where not you have sown, and gathering from where not you have scattered.
Official: Having come then also, the one who the one talent had received said: Master, I know you, that harsh you are a man, reaping where not you have sown, and gathering from where not you have scattered.
Having come
προσερχομαι proserchomai: come, approach
Προσελθων proselthōn
προσερχομαι proserchomai: come, approach
Having come
then
δε de: but, and
δε de
δε de: but, and
then
also,
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
also,
the [one]
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
the [one]
[who] the
ὁ ho: the, he
το to
ὁ ho: the, he
[who] the
one
εις eis: one, other
ἑν hen
εις eis: one, other
one
sufferer
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντον talanton
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talent
had received
λαμβανω lambanō: take, receive
ειληφως eilēphōs
λαμβανω lambanō: take, receive
had received
said:
λεγω legō: say
ειπεν eipen
λεγω legō: say
said:
Master,
κυριος kurios: lord, master
Κυριε kyrie
κυριος kurios: lord, master
Master,
[I] know
γινωσκω ginōskō: come to know
εγνων egnōn
γινωσκω ginōskō: come to know
[I] know
you,
συ su: you
σε se
συ su: you
you,
that
ὁτι hoti: that, because
ὁτι hoti
ὁτι hoti: that, because
that
harsh
σκληρος sklēros: hard, harsh
σκληρος sklēros
σκληρος sklēros: hard, harsh
harsh
you are
ειμι eimi: be
ει ei
ειμι eimi: be
you are
a man,
ανθρωπος anthrōpos: man
ανθρωπος anthrōpos
ανθρωπος anthrōpos: man
a man,
reaping
θεριζω therizō: reap, harvest
θεριζων therizōn
θεριζω therizō: reap, harvest
reaping
where
οπου opou: where, which
ὁπου hopou
οπου opou: where, which
where
not
ου ou: not
ουκ ouk
ου ou: not
not
[you] have sown,
σπειρω speirō: sow
εσπειρας espeiras
σπειρω speirō: sow
[you] have sown,
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
gathering
συναγω synagō: gather, bring together
συναγων synagōn
συναγω synagō: gather, bring together
gathering
from where
ὁθεν hothen: from where, whence
ὁθεν hothen
ὁθεν hothen: from where, whence
from where
not
ου ou: not
ου ou
ου ou: not
not
[you] have scattered.
διασκορπιζω diaskorpizō: scatter, disperse
διεσκορπισας dieskorpisas
διασκορπιζω diaskorpizō: scatter, disperse
[you] have scattered.
Matthew 25:25
Encrypted: And I was afraid for him, so when you were gone away, I hid the sufferer from you in the countryside. Behold, you shall know that he is alive and well.
Official: And I was afraid, so when you were gone away, I hid the talent of you in the ground. Behold, you have it that is yours.
And
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
And
[I] was afraid [for him],
φοβεω phobeō: fear, afraid
φοβηθεις phobētheis
φοβεω phobeō: fear, afraid
[I] was afraid,
[so when you] were gone away,
απερχομαι aperchomai: go away
απελθων apelthōn
απερχομαι aperchomai: go away
[so when you] were gone away,
[I] hid
κρυπτω kryptō: hide
εκρυψα ekrypsa
κρυπτω kryptō: hide
[I] hid
the
ὁ ho: the, he
το to
ὁ ho: the, he
the
sufferer
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντον talanton
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talent
[from?] you
συ su: you
σου sou
συ su: you
of you
in
εν en: in, on
εν en
εν en: in, on
in
the
ὁ ho: the, he
τη tē
ὁ ho: the, he
the
countryside.
γη gē: land, country
γη gē
γη gē: earth, ground
ground.
Behold,
ὁραω horaō: see
ιδε ide
ὁραω horaō: see
Behold,
you [shall] know
εχω echō: know, understand
εχεις echeis
εχω echō: have, possess
you have
[that] he
ὁ ho: the, he
το to
ὁ ho: the, he
it [that is]
is alive and well.
σως sōs: safe and sound, alive and well
σον son
σος sos: your, yours
yours.
Matthew 25:26
Encrypted: Answering now, the master of him said to him: A clever servant, and courageous! You knew that I like to reap where not I have sown, and gather from where not I have scattered.
Official: Answering now, the master of him said to him: A bad servant, and lazy! You knew that I like to reap where not I have sown, and gather from where not I have scattered.
Answering
αποκρινομαι apokrinomai: answer
Αποκριθεις apokritheis
αποκρινομαι apokrinomai: answer
Answering
now,
δε de: but, and
δε de
δε de: but, and
now,
the
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
the
master
κυριος kurios: lord, master
κυριος kyrios
κυριος kurios: lord, master
master
of him
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτου autou
αυτος autos: self, he
of him
said
λεγω legō: say
ειπεν eipen
λεγω legō: say
said
[to] him:
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτω autō
αυτος autos: self, he
[to] him:
A clever
πανουργος panourgos: cunning, clever, smart
Πονηρε ponēre
πονηρος ponēros: toilsome, bad
A bad
servant,
δουλος doulos: slave
δουλε doule
δουλος doulos: slave
servant,
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
courageous!
αγηνωρ / αγενορες agēnōr / agenores: proud, courageous
οκνηρε oknēre
οκνηρος / οκνηρε oknēros / oknēre: slothful, lazy
lazy!
[You] knew
οιδα oida: be aware
ηδεις ēdeis
οιδα oida: be aware
[You] knew
that
ὁτι hoti: that, because
ὁτι hoti
ὁτι hoti: that, because
that
[I like to] reap
θεριζω therizō: reap, harvest
θεριζω therizō
θεριζω therizō: reap, harvest
[I like to] reap
where
οπου opou: where, which
ὁπου hopou
οπου opou: where, which
where
not
ου ou: not
ουκ ouk
ου ou: not
not
[I] have sown,
σπειρω speirō: sow
εσπειρα espeira
σπειρω speirō: sow
[I] have sown,
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
gather
συναγω synagō: gather, bring together
συναγω synagō
συναγω synagō: gather, bring together
gather
from where
ὁθεν hothen: from where, whence
ὁθεν hothen
ὁθεν hothen: from where, whence
from where
not
ου ou: not
ου ou
ου ou: not
not
[I] have scattered.
διασκορπιζω diaskorpizō: scatter, disperse
διεσκορπισα dieskorpisa
διασκορπιζω diaskorpizō: scatter, disperse
[I] have scattered.
Matthew 25:27
Encrypted: It should have been that you therefore threw the farmer wanted by me to the bankers, and coming home, I would have received my profit with their usury services.
Official: It should have been that you therefore put the money of me to the bankers, and coming home, I would have received my original sum with interest.
[It] should [have been]
δει dei: should, ought
εδει edei
δει dei: should, ought
[It] should [have been]
[that] you
συ su: you
σε se
συ su: you
[that] you
therefore
ουν oun: therefore, then
ουν oun
ουν oun: therefore, then
therefore
threw
βαλλω ballō: throw, put, place
βαλειν balein
βαλλω ballō: throw, put, place
put
the
ὁ ho: the, he
τα ta
ὁ ho: the, he
the
farmer
αγρος / αγρον agros / agron: fields, farm, country
αργυρια argyria
αργυριον argyrion: silver, money
money
[wanted by?] me
εγω egō: I, mine
μου mou
εγω egō: I, mine
of me
[to] the
ὁ ho: the, he
τοις tois
ὁ ho: the, he
[to] the
bankers,
τραπεζιτης trapezitēs: money changer, banker
τραπεζιταις trapezitais
τραπεζιτης trapezitēs: money changer, banker
bankers,
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
coming [home],
ερχομαι erchomai: come
ελθων elthōn
ερχομαι erchomai: come
coming [home],
I
εγω egō: I, mine
εγω egō
εγω egō: I, mine
I
[would] have received
κομιζω komizō: receive, bring
εκομισαμην ekomisamēn
κομιζω komizō: receive, bring
[would] have received
αν an: would, could
αν an
αν an: would, could
ὁ ho: the, he
το to
ὁ ho: the, he
my [profit]
εμος emos: my, mine
εμον emon
εμος emos: my, mine
my [original sum?]
with
συν syn: with the help of
συν syn
συν syn: with, together with
with
[their] usury [services??].
τοκος tokos: usury
τοκω tokō
τοκος tokos: interest
interest.
Matthew 25:28
Encrypted: Take therefore from him the debt notes of the sufferer, and give it to the one having the ten sufferers.
Official: Take therefore from him the talent, and give it to the one having the ten talents.
Take
αιρω airō: raise
Αρατε arate
αιρω airō: raise
Take
therefore
ουν oun: therefore, then
ουν oun
ουν oun: therefore, then
therefore
from
απο apo: from, away from
απ ap
απο apo: from, away from
from
him
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτου autou
αυτος autos: self, he
him
the
ὁ ho: the, he
το to
ὁ ho: the, he
the
[debt notes of?] the sufferer,
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντον talanton
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talent,
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
give [it]
διδωμι didōmi: give
δοτε dote
διδωμι didōmi: give
give [it]
[to] the [one]
ὁ ho: the, he
τω tō
ὁ ho: the, he
[to] the [one]
having
εχω echō: have
εχοντι echonti
εχω echō: have
having
the
ὁ ho: the, he
τα ta
ὁ ho: the, he
the
ten
δεκα deka: ten
δεκα deka
δεκα deka: ten
ten
sufferers.
τλαω / τλαντων tlaō / tlantōn: suffer, submit; τλητος tlētos: suffering
ταλαντα talanta
ταλαντον talanton: talent
talents.
Only wealthy servants can get involved in the oligarchs’ usury, poor ones must be deceived.
Matthew 25:29
Encrypted: For to one who is already wealthy, all usury practices can be shown, and he will just want to increase his wealth by them. The one, however, not being wealthy, even that little which he has must be taken away from him.
Official: For to the one who has, all will be given, and he will have more than enough. The one, however, not having, even that little which he has will be taken away from him.
ὁ ho: the, he
τω tō
ὁ ho: the, he
For
γαρ gar: for, indeed
γαρ gar
γαρ gar: for, indeed
For
[to one who is already] wealthy,
εχω echō: have, possess, wealthy
εχοντι echonti
εχω echō: have, possess, wealthy
[to the one who] has,
all [usury practices??]
πας pas: all, every
παντι panti
πας pas: all, every
all
[can] be shown,
διδωμι didōmi: present, show
δοθησεται dothēsetai
διδωμι didōmi: give
[will] be given,
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
[he will just want] to increase [his wealth by them].
περισσευω perisseuō: exceed, increase, more than enough
περισσευθησεται perisseuthēsetai
περισσευω perisseuō: exceed, increase, more than enough
[he will have] more than enough.
The [one],
ὁ ho: the, he
του tou
ὁ ho: the, he
The [one],
however,
δε de: but, and
δε de
δε de: but, and
however,
not
μη mē: not, that...not
μη mē
μη mē: not, that...not
not
being wealthy,
εχω echō: have, possess, wealthy
εχοντος echontos
εχω echō: have, possess, wealthy
having,
even
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
even
that [little] which
ὁς hos: who, which
ὁ ho
ὁς hos: who, which
that [little] which
he has
εχω echō: have, possess
εχει echei
εχω echō: have, possess
he has
[must] be taken away
αιρω airō: raise, remove
αρθησεται arthēsetai
αιρω airō: raise, remove
[will] be taken away
from
απο apo: from, away from
απ ap
απο apo: from, away from
from
him.
αυτος autos: self, he
αυτου autou
αυτος autos: self, he
him.
Matthew 25:30
Encrypted: And the not profit-minded servants, always expose them to some deceit on the outside. Only then can there be a beguiling, and the gobbling-up of the poor people’s possessions.
Official: And the useless servant, servant, into the darkness outside. Then there will be weeping, and the gnashing of teeth.
And
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
And
the
ὁ ho: the, he
τον ton
ὁ ho: the, he
the
not profit[-minded]
αχρειος achreios: unprofitable
αχρειον achreion
αχρειος achreios: useless
useless
servants,
δουλος doulos: slave
δουλον doulon
δουλος doulos: slave
servant,
[always] expose [them]
εκβαλλω ekballō: expose, produce, put forth
εκβαλετε ekbalete
εκβαλλω ekballō: cast out
servant,
to
εις eis: into
εις eis
εις eis: into
into
[some]
ὁ ho: the, he
το to
ὁ ho: the, he
the
deceit
σκοτος skotos: deceit
σκοτος skotos
σκοτος skotos: darkness
darkness
[on] the
ὁ ho: the, he
το to
ὁ ho: the, he
outside.
εξωτερος exōteros: outer, outside
εξωτερον exōteron
εξωτερος exōteros: outer, outside
outside.
[Only then can] there
εκει ekei: there
εκει ekei
εκει ekei: there
[Then] there
be
ειμι eimi: be
εσται estai
ειμι eimi: be
[will] be
a
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
beguiling [???],
κηληθμος kēlēthmos: enchantment; κηλεω kēleō: beguile
κλαυθμος klauthmos
κλαυθμος klauthmos: weeping; κλαιω klaiō: cry, weep
weeping,
and
και kai: and, even
και kai
και kai: and, even
and
the
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
the
gobbling-up
βρυκω brykō: eat greedily, gobble, devour, consume
βρυγμος brygmos
βρυγμος brygmos: gnashing; βρυκω brykō: gnash the teeth
gnashing
of
ὁ ho: the, he
των tōn
ὁ ho: the, he
of
the poor [people’s possessions?].
αδυνατος / αδυνατων adynatos / adynatōn: poor, powerless
οδοντων odontōn
οδους / οδοντων odous / odontōn: tooth
teeth.