Matthew 25:30 (WEB)
Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Catechism · 3
"I Believe in Life Everlasting"
“…and not, like the wicked and slothful servants, be ordered to depart into the eternal fire, into the outer darkness where "men will weep and gnash their teeth."” — Catechism footnote: LG 48 # 3; Mt 22:13; cf. Heb 9:27; Mt 25:13, 26, 30, 31 46.
Social Justice
“The "talents" are not distributed equally.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:14-30; Lk 19:27.
The Mysteries of Christ's Life
“What use has he made of the talents he has received?” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:14-30.
Fathers and councils · 69
Augustine of Hippo
“To this punishment is opposed, “Enter thou into the joy of Thy Lord;” for similar to this expulsion is, “Cast him into outer darkness.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 30.
Read the whole comment“For there is “outer darkness,” which is understood to belong rather to the day of judgment; that he should rather be wholly without God, whosoever whilst there is time refuses correction.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 30.
Read the whole comment“Bind him hand and foot, and let him be cast into outer darkness; the servant, who was not a waster of his master’s goods, so as to destroy them, but was slothful in laying them out to improve them.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 30.
Read the whole comment“And thus the Lord also calls these places “the outer darkness,” to which is opposed that entrance concerning which it is said to the good servant, “Enter into the joy of thy Lord,” that it may not be supposed that the…” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 30.
Read the whole comment“Was he accused because he lost it, and not because he kept it without profit?” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 25–30.
Read the whole comment
Athanasius of Alexandria
“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 26–30
Read the whole comment
John Chrysostom
“For it will be no longer, “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return,”and thou “tillest the ground,”and those former words, that will be said to us;but what is far more grievous than these, the “outer darkness,”the bonds that may not be burst, the venomous worm, the “gnashing of teeth;” and this with great reason.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 30.
Read the whole comment“Matt. XXV. 1-30.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment
Tertullian
“And yet whence shall come that “weeping and gnashing of teeth,” if not from eyes and teeth?—even at that time when the body shall be slain in hell, and thrust out into that outer darkness which shall be the suitable torment of the eyes.” — editor's note: Matt. viii. 12; xiii. 42; xxii. 13; xxv. 30.
Read the whole comment
Clement of Alexandria
“Wherefore the useless servant “shall be cast into outer darkness.”” — editor's note: Matt. xviii. 32; Luke xix. 22; Matt. xxv. 30.
Read the whole comment
Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
In the foregoing parable is set forth the condemnation of such as have not prepared sufficient oil for themselves, whether by oil is meant the brightness of good works, or inward joy of conscience, or alms paid in money.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
This parable is delivered against those who will not assist their neighbours either with money, or words, or in any other way, but hide all that they have.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
The man in travelling into a far country is our Redeemer, who ascended into heaven in that flesh which He had taken upon Him. For the proper home of the flesh is the earth, and it, as it were, travels into a foreign…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
He travels, not according to His divine nature, but according to the dispensation of the flesh which He took upon Him. For He who says to His disciples, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,”…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Calling together the Apostles, He gave them the Gospel doctrine, to one more, to another less, not as of His own bounty or scanting, but as meeting the capacity of the receivers, as the Apostle says [marg. note 1 Cor…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Whenever you see of those who have received from Christ a dispensation of the oracles of God that some have more and some less; that some have not in comparison of the better sort half an understanding of things;…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Otherwise; The five talents denote the gift of the five senses, that is, the knowledge of things without; the two signify understanding and action, the one talent understanding only.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
“And straightway took his journey,” not changing his place, but leaving them to their own freewill and choice of action.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
“He that had received five talents,” that is, having received his bodily senses, he doubled his knowledge of heavenly things, from the creature understanding the Creator, from earthly unearthly, from temporal the…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
There are also some who though they cannot pierce to things inward and mystical, yet for their measure of view of their heavenly country they teach rightly such things as they can, what they have gathered from things…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, They that have their senses exercised by healthy conversation, both raising themselves to higher knowledge and zealous in teaching others, these have gained other five; because no one can easily have increase of…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, That servant who received five talents is the people of believers under the Law, who beginning with that, doubled their merit by the right obedience of an evangelic faith.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Again, there are some who by their understanding and their actions preach to others, and thence gain as it were a twofold profit in such merchandize. This their preaching bestowed upon both sexes is thus a talent…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, “gained other two,” that is, carnal instruction, and another yet a little higher.
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, the servant to whom two talents were committed is the people of the Gentiles justified by the faith and confession of the Son and of the Father, confessing our Lord Jesus Christ, to be both God and Man, both…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
To hide one’s talent in the earth is to devote the ability we have received to worldly business.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or otherwise; When you see one who has the power of teaching, and of benefitting souls, hiding this power, though he may have a certain religiousness of life, doubt not of such an one that he has received one talent…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, This servant who has received one talent and hid it in the earth is the people that continue in the Law, who through jealousy of the salvation of the Gentiles hide the talent they have received in the earth. For…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
And note here that the servants do not come to the Lord to be judged, but the Lord shall come to them when the time shall be accomplished. “After a long time,” that is, when He has sent forth such as are fitted to…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Observe also that the Lord does not require the reckoning immediately, that you may learn His long suffering. To me He seems to say this covertly, alluding to the resurrection.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
“After a long time,” because there is a long interval between the Saviour’s ascension and His second coming.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
This lesson from this Gospel warns us to consider whether those who seem to have received more in this world than others shall not be more severely judged by the Author of the world; the greater the gifts, the…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
He who had received five talents comes first with boldness before his Lord.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
And bringing his talents doubled, he is commended by his Lord, and is sent into eternal happiness.
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Well done” is an interjection of joy; the Lord shewing us therein the joy with which He invites the servant who labours well to eternal bliss; of which the Prophet speaks, “In thy presence is fulness of joy.” [Ps 16:11]
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Thou good servant,” this he means of that goodness which is shewn towards our neighbour.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Faithful,” because he appropriated to himself none of those things which were his lord’s.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
He says, “Thou wast faithful in a few things,” because all that we have at present though they seem great and many, yet in comparison of the things to come are little and few.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
The faithful servant is set over many things, when having overcome the afflictions of corruption, he joys with eternal joy in that heavenly seat. He is then fully admitted to the joy of his Lord, when taken in to…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
What greater thing can be given to a faithful servant than to be with his Lord, and to see his Lord’s joy?
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
By this word “joy” He expresses complete blessedness.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
This will be our perfect joy, than which is none greater, to have fruition of that Divine Trinity in whose image we were made.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
The servant who of five talents had made ten, and he who of two had made four, are received with equal favour by the Master of the household, who looks not to the largeness of their profit, but to the disposition of…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
That He says of both these servants that they “came,” we must understand of their passing out of this world to Him. And observe that the same was said to them both; he that had less capacity, but that which he had,…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
The servant who would not trade with his talent returns to his Lord with words of excuse.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
For truly that which is written, “To offer excuses excusing sins” [Ps. 141:4] happened to this servant, so that to slothfulness and idleness was added also the sin of pride. For he who ought to have honestly…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
This servant seems to me to have been one of those who believe, but do not act honestly, concealing their faith, and doing every thing that they may not be known to be Christians. They who are such seem to me to have…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Also, by this which this servant dared to say, “Thou reapest where thou sowedst not,” we understand that the Lord accepts the good life of the Gentiles and of the Philosophers.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
But there are many within the Church of whom this servant is a type, who fear to set out on the path of a better life, and yet are not afraid to continue in carnal indolence; they esteem themselves sinners, and…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, By this servant is understood the Jewish people which continues in the Law, and says, I was “afraid of thee,” as through fear of the old commandments abstaining from the exercise of evangelical liberty; and it…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
But what he thought would be his excuse is turned into his condemnation. He calls him “wicked servant,” because he cavilled against his Lord; and “slothful,” because he would not double his talent; condemning his…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
So then we see as well the peril of the teachers if they withhold the Lord’s money, as that of the hearers from whom is exacted with usury that they have heard, namely, that from what they have heard they should…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
The Lord did not allow that He was “a hard man” as the servant supposed, but He assented to all his other words. But He is indeed hard to those who abuse the mercy of God to suffer themselves to become remiss, and…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Let us hear now the sentence by which the Lord condemns the slothful servant, “Take away from him the talent, and give it to him that hath ten talents.”
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
The Lord is able by the might of His divinity to take away his ability from the man who is slack to use it, and to give it to him who has improved his own.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
It might seem more seasonable to have given it rather to him who had two, than to him who had five. But as the five talents denote the knowledge of things without, the two understanding and action, he who had the two…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, it is given to him who had gained five talents, that we may understand that though the Lord’s joy over the labour of each be equal, of him who doubled the five as of him who doubled the two, yet is a greater…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Then follows a general sentence, “For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance, but from him that hath not, even that which he seemeth to have shall be taken away.” For whosoever has charity…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Also he who has the graces of eloquence and of teaching to profit withal, and uses it not, loses that grace; but he who does his endeavour in putting it to use acquires a larger share.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Many also who are naturally clever and have sharp wit, if they become neglectful, and by disuse spoil that good they have by nature, these do, in comparison of him who being somewhat dull by nature compensates by…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, Whoso has not charity, loses even those things which he seems to have received.
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
And on those who have the privilege of the Gospels, the honour of the Law is also conferred, but from him who has not the faith of Christ is taken away even that honour which seemed to be his through the Law.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
The wicked servant is punished not only by loss of his talent, but by intolerable infliction, and a denunciation in accusation joined therewith.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Into outer darkness,” where is no light, perhaps not even physical light; and where God is not seen, but those who are condemned thereto are condemned as unworthy the contemplation of God. We have also read some one…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
And thus for punishment he shall be cast into outer darkness who has of his own free will fallen into inward darkness.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
What is weeping and gnashing of teeth we have said above.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Observe that not only he who robs others, or who works evil, is punished with extreme punishment, but he also who does not good works.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Let him then who has understanding look that he hold not his peace; let him who has affluence not be dead to mercy; let him who has the art of guiding life communicate its use with his neighbour; and him who has the…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
If you are offended at this we have said, namely that a man shall be judged if he does not teach others, call to mind the Apostle’s words, “Woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel.” [1 Cor 9:16]
Read the whole comment
Cross-references · 14
Cited together in Homilies on Matthew Homily 12.
Cited together in Homilies on Matthew Homily 12.
Cited together in The City of God XX.22.
Cited together in Catechism §1036.
Cited together in The City of God XX.22.
Cited together in The City of God XX.22.
Cited together in Homilies on Matthew Homily 12.
Cited together in Homilies on Matthew Homily 12.
Cited together in Homilies on Matthew Homily 12.
Cited together in Catechism §1036.
Cited together in Catechism §1036.
Cited together in On the Resurrection of the Flesh Chapter 35.
Cited together in On the Resurrection of the Flesh Chapter 35.
Cited together in Catechism §1036 and 1 other place.