Theophylact of Ohrid

When the servant says that the master is hard, he condemns himself. For the servant ought all the more to have been diligent knowing that his master was hard and severe. For if the master required this of others, so too would the master require this of him.

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Jerome

But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. …

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Gregory the Dialogist

Hence this servant is immediately answered: "Wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter; therefore you ought to have given my money to the bankers, and upon my coming I would have received what is mine with interest." The servant is bound by his own words when the master says: "I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter." As if he were openly saying: If according to your judgment I even demand what I did not give, how much more do I demand from you what I …

Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 9 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

And his lord answering said to him. Here the condemnation of the servant is presented. And just as in the case of the other servants he first commended them, then set forth the equity of the judgment, and afterwards the reward; so in this case, first he rebukes him; secondly, he sets forth the equity of the judgment; thirdly, the punishment. The second is at you knew that I reap where I sow not, etc.; the third is at take therefore the talent from him. He says therefore: wicked and slothful servant. …

Commentary on Matthew ↗