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Selected Verse: Matthew 25:24 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Mt 25:24	Strong Concordance	Then [1161] [2532] he which had received [2983] the one [1520] talent [5007] came [4334] and said [2036], Lord [2962], I knew [1097] thee [4571] that [3754] thou art [1488] an hard [4642] man [444], reaping [2325] where [3699] thou hast [4687] not [3756] sown [4687], and [2532] gathering [4863] where [3606] thou hast [1287] not [3756] strawed [1287]:
	King James	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:

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

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

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man--harsh. The word in Luke (Luk 19:21) is "austere."

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.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
The one talent - The design of this part of the parable is to show that no one is excused for neglecting his duty because he has few talents. God will require of him only according to his ability, Co1 4:2; Luk 12:48; Co2 8:12. A hard man - Of a sordid, griping disposition; taking advantage of the poor, and oppressing them. Reaping ... - This is indicative of an avaricious and overbearing disposition; compelling the poor to sow for him, and reaping all the benefit himself. Hast not strawed - The word "straw" means to "scatter" - as people scatter seed in sowing it. It may mean, also, to "ventilate," or to "fan by ventilating" or winnowing. As "sowing" the seed is mentioned just before, it may be that this refers to gathering grain fanned or winnowed by others, while he did nothing - indicating, also, a hard or sordid disposition.

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

The one talent - The design of this part of the parable is to show that no one is excused for neglecting his duty because he has few talents. God will require of him only according to his ability, Co1 4:2; Luk 12:48; Co2 8:12.

A hard man - Of a sordid, griping disposition; taking advantage of the poor, and oppressing them.

Reaping ... - This is indicative of an avaricious and overbearing disposition; compelling the poor to sow for him, and reaping all the benefit himself.

Hast not strawed - The word "straw" means to "scatter" - as people scatter seed in sowing it. It may mean, also, to "ventilate," or to "fan by ventilating" or winnowing. As "sowing" the seed is mentioned just before, it may be that this refers to gathering grain fanned or winnowed by others, while he did nothing - indicating, also, a hard or sordid disposition.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Hard (σεκληρὸς) Stronger than the austere (αὐστηρός) of Luk 19:21 (see there), which is sometimes used in a good sense, as this never is. It is an epithet given to a surface which is at once dry and hard. Strawed (διεσκόρπισας) Rev., didst scatter. Not referring to the sowing of seed, for that would be saying the same thing twice. The scattering refers to the winnowing of the loosened sheaves spread out upon the threshing-floor. "The word," as Trench observes "could scarcely be applied to the measured and orderly scattering of the sower's seed. It is rather the dispersing, making to fly in every direction." Hence used of the pursuit of a routed enemy (Luk 1:51); of the prodigal scattering his goods; making the money fly, as we say (Luk 15:13); of the wolf scattering the sheep (Mat 26:31). Wyc., spread abroad.

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

Hard (σεκληρὸς)

Stronger than the austere (αὐστηρός) of Luk 19:21 (see there), which is sometimes used in a good sense, as this never is. It is an epithet given to a surface which is at once dry and hard.

Strawed (διεσκόρπισας)

Rev., didst scatter. Not referring to the sowing of seed, for that would be saying the same thing twice. The scattering refers to the winnowing of the loosened sheaves spread out upon the threshing-floor. "The word," as Trench observes "could scarcely be applied to the measured and orderly scattering of the sower's seed. It is rather the dispersing, making to fly in every direction." Hence used of the pursuit of a routed enemy (Luk 1:51); of the prodigal scattering his goods; making the money fly, as we say (Luk 15:13); of the wolf scattering the sheep (Mat 26:31). Wyc., spread abroad.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
I knew thou art a hard man - No. Thou knowest him not. He never knew God, who thinks him a hard master. Reaping where thou hast not sown - That is, requiring more of us than thou hast given us power to perform. So does every obstinate sinner, in one kind or other, lay the blame of his own sins on God.

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

I knew thou art a hard man - No. Thou knowest him not. He never knew God, who thinks him a hard master. Reaping where thou hast not sown - That is, requiring more of us than thou hast given us power to perform. So does every obstinate sinner, in one kind or other, lay the blame of his own sins on God.

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