Matthew 25:24 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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:

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard (or 'harsh,') man, х skleeros (G4642)]. The word in Luke (Luke 19:21) is "austere" х austeeros (G840)].

Reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed. The sense is obvious: 'I knew thou wast one whom it was impossible to serve, one whom nothing would please; exacting what was impracticable, and dissatisfied with what was attainable.' Thus do men secretly think of God as a hard Master, and virtually throw on Him the blame of their fruitlessness.

Matthew 25:24

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: