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Selected Verse: Matthew 25:27 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
Mt 25:27	King James	Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers--the banker. and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury--interest.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers--the banker.

and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury--interest.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
The exchangers - The "exchangers" were persons who were in the habit of borrowing money, or receiving it on deposit at a low rate of interest, to be loaned to others at higher interest. They commonly sat by "tables" in the temple, with money ready to exchange or loan. See Mat 21:12. This money was left with the servant, not to exchange, nor to increase it by any such idle means, but by honest industry and merchandise; but since he was too indolent for that, he ought at least to have loaned it to the exchangers, that his master might have received some benefit from it. With usury - With interest, increase, or gain. The word "usury," in our language, has a bad signification, meaning unlawful or exorbitant interest. This was contrary to the law, Exo 22:25; Lev 25:36. The original means "gain," increase, or lawful interest.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

The exchangers - The "exchangers" were persons who were in the habit of borrowing money, or receiving it on deposit at a low rate of interest, to be loaned to others at higher interest. They commonly sat by "tables" in the temple, with money ready to exchange or loan. See Mat 21:12. This money was left with the servant, not to exchange, nor to increase it by any such idle means, but by honest industry and merchandise; but since he was too indolent for that, he ought at least to have loaned it to the exchangers, that his master might have received some benefit from it.

With usury - With interest, increase, or gain. The word "usury," in our language, has a bad signification, meaning unlawful or exorbitant interest. This was contrary to the law, Exo 22:25; Lev 25:36. The original means "gain," increase, or lawful interest.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Put (βαλεῖν) Lit., throw or fling down, as one would throw a bag of coin upon the exchanger's table. Exchangers (τραπεζίταις) Taking their name from the table or counter at which they sat (τράπεζα). The Jewish bankers bore precisely the same name. Usury (τόκῳ) A very graphic word, meaning first child-birth, and then offspring. Hence of interest, which is the produce or offspring of capital. Originally it was only what was paid for the use of money; hence usury; but it became synonymous with extortionate interest. Rev., better, with interest. The Jewish law distinguished between interest and increase. In Rome very high interest seems to have been charged in early times. Practically usury was unlimited. It soon became the custom to charge monthly interest at one per cent a month. During the early empire legal interest stood at eight per cent., but in usurious transactions it was lent at twelve, twenty-four, and even forty-eight. The Jewish bankers of Palestine and elsewhere were engaged in the same undertakings. The law of Moses denounced usury in the transactions of Hebrews with Hebrews, but permitted it in dealing with strangers (Deu 23:19, Deu 23:20; Psa 15:5).

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Put (βαλεῖν)

Lit., throw or fling down, as one would throw a bag of coin upon the exchanger's table.

Exchangers (τραπεζίταις)

Taking their name from the table or counter at which they sat (τράπεζα). The Jewish bankers bore precisely the same name.

Usury (τόκῳ)

A very graphic word, meaning first child-birth, and then offspring. Hence of interest, which is the produce or offspring of capital. Originally it was only what was paid for the use of money; hence usury; but it became synonymous with extortionate interest. Rev., better, with interest. The Jewish law distinguished between interest and increase. In Rome very high interest seems to have been charged in early times. Practically usury was unlimited. It soon became the custom to charge monthly interest at one per cent a month. During the early empire legal interest stood at eight per cent., but in usurious transactions it was lent at twelve, twenty-four, and even forty-eight. The Jewish bankers of Palestine and elsewhere were engaged in the same undertakings. The law of Moses denounced usury in the transactions of Hebrews with Hebrews, but permitted it in dealing with strangers (Deu 23:19, Deu 23:20; Psa 15:5).

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Thou oughtest therefore - On that very account, on thy own supposition, to have improved my talent, as far as was possible.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Thou oughtest therefore - On that very account, on thy own supposition, to have improved my talent, as far as was possible.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
With usury - Συν τοκω, with its produce - not usury; for that is unlawful interest, more than the money can properly produce.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

With usury - Συν τοκω, with its produce - not usury; for that is unlawful interest, more than the money can properly produce.

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