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Matthew 25

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

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:

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

What does Matthew 25:1 mean?

Explanation

The verse Matthew 25:1 is the opening of the Parable of the Ten Virgins, which is one of the parables of Jesus in the New Testament.

In this parable, the kingdom of heaven is likened to ten virgins who take their lamps and go to meet the bridegroom.

The virgins represent Christians waiting for the coming of Christ, the bridegroom.

It suggests a vigilance and preparedness needed for the return of Jesus Christ.

The event characterized by their bringing lamps indicates that preparedness requires foresight and readiness for action, something that will become clearer as the parable progresses.

The virgins' attendance is symbolic of participating in the wedding feast, an image often used to represent the joyous union of Christ with His church.

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Historical Context

The parable was told by Jesus during His final week on Earth, a time when He was conveying important teachings to His disciples about preparedness for the Kingdom of God.

At that time, weddings were significant social events in Jewish culture, often featuring a procession of the bridegroom coming to take his bride and her bridesmaids back to his home.

The use of virgins, or young women, as key characters also reflects the cultural value placed on purity and honor in preparation for marriage.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints focus on aspects of the parable:

Eschatology: Some theologians emphasize the eschatological nature of the parable, seeing it as a teaching about the end times and the need to be ready for Christ's second coming.
Salvation: Others highlight that the virgins symbolize those who profess faith in Christ, where the readiness and the oil for their lamps represent genuine faith that leads to salvation, as opposed to a nominal or superficial profession.
Holy Spirit: Some interpret the oil as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and spiritual preparedness, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life and readiness for Christ's return.

Practical Applications

The parable can be applied in various ways:

Vigilance: It encourages Christians to live with a sense of expectancy and vigilance, actively waiting for the Lord's return.
Spiritual Preparedness: This passage can inspire individuals to seek a deep and personal relationship with God rather than a surface-level connection.
Community: It reminds believers of the importance of supporting one another in staying spiritually awake and sustained in faith.

Cross-References

Matthew 24:42-44 - Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Revelation 19:7-9 - Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
Luke 12:35-36 - Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning.

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text include:

"Kingdom of heaven" (Basileia tōn Ouranōn): Refers to the realm of God's sovereign rule and often implies a future state of blessedness.
"Virgins" (parthenoi): Young women who in context likely refer to bridesmaids responsible for participating in the wedding procession.
"Lamps" (lampades): In ancient Jewish wedding ceremonies, these would have been hand-held torches, not small oil lamps, requiring a supply of oil to keep them burning.
"Bridegroom" (numphios): Symbolic of Christ Himself in Christian theology, representing the awaited one in the wedding metaphor.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The theme of wedding feasts and preparation for important events is common in many ancient cultures.

The Jewish wedding is unique in its customs but shares with other traditions the significance of preparedness and celebration.

In Christianity, the wedding metaphor uniquely illustrates the intimate and joyful union of Christ with His people.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific perspectives might engage with this verse from the standpoint of psychological readiness or the social dynamics of group inclusion and preparedness.

However, the core message of the parable relates to spiritual rather than scientific preparedness and thus does not directly intersect with scientific understandings.

Commentaries

Biblical commentators offer varied insights into the Parable of the Ten Virgins:

William Barclay sees the lamps as symbols of a visible Christianity that must be fueled by the inner oil of real devotion and faith.
John MacArthur highlights the element of surprise in the bridegroom's coming, warning believers to be continually ready.
*Craig S.

Keener* discusses the cultural relevance of the wedding procession and the severe consequences of being unprepared.

These commentaries emphasize the importance of genuine faith and spiritual readiness in light of the uncertain timing of Christ's return.

Matthew 25

Matthew 25

What does Matthew 25:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 25:1 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?