Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
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Matthew 25:2-12 sits inside this longer paragraph.
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Parallel Translations
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Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,
but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.
Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’
But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
-
fyve of them were folysshe and fyve were wyse.
The folysshe toke their lampes but toke none oyle with the.
But the wyse tooke oyle with the in their vesselles with their lampes also.
Whill the brydgrome taryed all slombred and slepte.
And even at mydnyght there was a crye made: beholde the brydgrome cometh goo out against him.
Then all those virgins arose and prepared their lampes.
And the folysshe sayde to the wyse: geve vs of youre oyle for our lampes goo out?
but the wyse answered sayinge. Not so lest ther be not ynough for vs and you: but goo rather to them that sell and by for youre selves.
And whill they went to bye the brydgrome came: and they that were redy went in with him to the weddinge and the gate was shett vp:
Afterwardes came also the other virgins sayinge: master master open to vs.
But he answered and sayde: verely I saye vnto you: I knowe not you.
Show all 3 translations
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And fiue of them were wise, and fiue foolish.
The foolish tooke their lampes, but tooke none oyle with them.
But the wise tooke oyle in their vessels with their lampes.
Nowe while the bridegrome taried long, all slumbred and slept.
And at midnight there was a crie made, Behold, the bridegrome commeth: goe out to meete him.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lampes.
And the foolish said to the wise, Giue vs of your oyle, for our lampes are out.
But the wise answered, saying, Not so, lest there will not be ynough for vs and you: but goe ye rather to them that sell, and bye for your selues.
And while they went to bye, the bridegrome came: and they that were readie, went in with him to the wedding, and the gate was shut.
Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to vs.
But he answered, and said, Verely I say vnto you, I knowe you not.
Cross-references (121)
- Revelation 3:15-16 (v3) “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold,…
- Matthew 7:21-23 (v11) Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.…
- Luke 13:25 (v10) When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying,…
- 2 Timothy 3:5 (v3) holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also.
- Psalms 49:7-9 (v9) none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him. For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is…
Show all 100 cross-references
- Jeremiah 24:2 (v2) One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they…
- Matthew 24:44 (vv6, 10) Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
- Proverbs 13:9 (v8) The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
- Isaiah 48:1-2 (v3) “Hear this, house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, and have come out of the waters of Judah. You swear by Yahweh’s name,…
- Luke 12:36-37 (v10) Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the wedding feast; that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to…
- Romans 8:9 (v4) But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of…
- 1 Corinthians 8:3 (v12) But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him.
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- 1 Peter 1:13 (v10) Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of…
- 2 Peter 3:10 (v6) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be…
- Luke 12:35 (vv7–8) “Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.
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- Habakkuk 2:3 (v5) For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it;…
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- Matthew 25:1 (v6) “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.
- John 5:28-29 (v6) Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come out; those who have done…
- John 10:27 (v12) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
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- Genesis 7:16 (v10) Those who went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him; then Yahweh shut him in.
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- Malachi 3:1-2 (v6) “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the…
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- 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 (v5) so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are drunk are…
- 2 Peter 3:4-9 (v5) and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the…
- 2 Peter 3:14 (v7) Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without defect and blameless in his sight.
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- Amos 4:12 (v6) “Therefore thus I will do to you, Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, Israel.
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- Matthew 24:48 (v5) But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’
- Matthew 25:6 (v10) But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’
- Matthew 25:31 (v6) “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.
- Mark 13:33-37 (v6) Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is. “It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house,…
- Luke 12:20 (v6) “But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’
- Luke 12:38-40 (v6) They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so. But know this, that if the master of the house had known…
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- John 3:34 (v4) For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for God gives the Spirit without measure.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (v6) For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will…
- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 (v6) But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. For you yourselves know well that the…
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 (v6) and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,…
- 2 Timothy 4:8 (v10) From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to…
- Hebrews 3:18-19 (v10) To whom did he swear that they wouldn’t enter into his rest, but to those who were disobedient? We see that they weren’t able to enter in…
- Hebrews 4:1 (v8) Let’s fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest.
- 1 John 2:19 (v2) They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that…
- 1 John 2:20 (v4) You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
- Jude 1:5 (v2) Now I desire to remind you, though you already know this, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward…
- Jude 1:14-15 (v6) About these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute…
- Revelation 2:4-5 (v7) But I have this against you, that you left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first…
- Revelation 3:1 (v3) “And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: “I know…
- Revelation 16:15 (v6) “Behold, I come like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his clothes, so that he doesn’t walk naked, and they see his shame.”
- Revelation 22:20 (v10) He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.
- Numbers 14:28-34 (v10) Tell them, ‘As I live, says Yahweh, surely as you have spoken in my ears, so I will do to you. Your dead bodies shall fall in this…
- Psalms 45:7 (v4) You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
- Psalms 50:3-6 (v6) Our God comes, and does not keep silent. A fire devours before him. It is very stormy around him. He calls to the heavens above, to the…
- Psalms 96:13 (v6) before Yahweh; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.
- Isaiah 55:1-3 (v9) “Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and…
- Ezekiel 14:20 (v9) though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live,” says the Lord Yahweh, “they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would…
- Zechariah 4:2-3 (v4) He said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I have seen, and behold, a lamp stand all of gold, with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven…
- Matthew 13:20-21 (v8) What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it; yet he has no root in himself, but…
- Matthew 13:38-43 (v2) the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the children of the Kingdom; and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one.…
- Matthew 24:45 (v2) “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season?
- Matthew 25:19 (v5) “Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them.
- Matthew 25:20-23 (v10) He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have…
- Mark 14:37-38 (v5) He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you watch one hour? Watch and pray, that you may not…
- Luke 12:45 (v5) But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and…
- Galatians 5:22-23 (v4) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things…
- Hebrews 10:36-37 (v5) For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. “In a very little while, he who comes will come,…
- Revelation 1:7 (v10) Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn…
- Revelation 3:9 (v8) Behold, I give some of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie—behold, I will make them to come…
- Revelation 19:7-9 (v6) Let’s rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let’s give the glory to him. For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself…
- Revelation 22:11-12 (v10) He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness…
- Job 8:13-14 (v8) So are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless man will perish, Whose confidence will break apart, Whose trust is a…
- Job 18:5 (v8) “Yes, the light of the wicked will be put out. The spark of his fire won’t shine.
- Job 21:17 (v8) “How often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out, that their calamity comes on them, that God distributes sorrows in his anger?
- Psalms 1:6 (v12) For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.
- Psalms 5:5 (v12) The arrogant will not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity.
- Proverbs 4:18-19 (v8) But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like…
- Proverbs 20:20 (v8) Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
- Song of Solomon 3:1 (v5) By night on my bed, I sought him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn’t find him.
- Song of Solomon 5:2 (v5) I was asleep, but my heart was awake. It is the voice of my beloved who knocks: “Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; for…
- Jeremiah 15:1 (v9) Then Yahweh said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not turn toward this people. Cast them out of my sight,…
- Ezekiel 14:14-16 (v9) though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only their own souls by their righteousness,” says the Lord…
- Jonah 1:5-6 (v5) Then the mariners were afraid, and every man cried to his god. They threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten the ship.…
- Matthew 3:9 (v8) Don’t think to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these…
- Matthew 22:10-11 (v2) Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with…
- Matthew 26:40 (v5) He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?
- Matthew 26:43 (v5) He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
- Luke 8:18 (v8) Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that…
100 distinct cross-references across this passage (121 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (18 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v5 Their eyes being heavy with sleep.
Their eyes being heavy with sleep.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–12 2 And five of them were wise, and five…
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Ver. 2. Five were foolish] That is, some were wise, and some others foolish, and these last usually the most imprudent, improvident, after witted, oculos habentes in occipitio, having eyes in the back of their head, that foresee not a following mischief, but come in with their fools’ Had I known, with their Si praescivissem, as the lion in the fable (μωραι quasi μη ορωσαι). The Spaniards say of the Portuguese that they are pocos y focos, few and foolish. But of foolish virgins, that is, of profligate professors, that have no more than an outside, there are not a few, but more than a good many in all places, Son 6:8-9.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 By the lamps are meant an outward profession of…
By the lamps are meant an outward profession of faith and holiness.
By the oil in the lamps, is to be understood that solemn profession of repentance and faith, which all Christians make in baptism.
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By oil in their vessels is meant the sanctifying and saving graces of the Holy Spirit; the growth and improvement of them, with constancy and perseverance in them.
Observe here, wherein the wise and foolish virgins agreed, and wherein they differed: they agreed thus far, that both took their lamps, both lighted them, they both had oil in their lamps; the difference was not that the wise had oil, and the foolish had none; but in this, that the wise took care for a future supply of oil to feed their lamps when the first oil was spent.
Some professors, like foolish virgins, content themselves with a blazing lamp of an outward profession, without concerning themselves to secure an inward principle of grace and love, which should maintain that profession, as the oil maintains the lamp. As the lamp will not long hold burning without a stock of oil to feed it; so a profession of religion, though never so glorious, will not be lasting nor persevering, wihtout a principle of faith and love in the heart to support and maintain it.
Learn hence, That the true wisdom of a Christian consists in this, to take care, that not only the lamp of his life may shine by outward profession, but that the vessel of his heart may be furnished with the graces of the Holy Spirit, as a prevailing and abiding principle.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv2–12 And five of them were wise,.... The order of…
And five of them were wise,.... The order of these words is inverted in some versions, as in the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic, and in Munster's Hebrew Gospel, which read, "and five of them were foolish, and five of them were wise"; but this is of no great consequence. There is a parable of R. Jochanan ben Zaccai (m), who lived before, and after the destruction of the second temple, which bears some likeness to this part of the parable, and others in it, and is this;
"a certain king invited his servants, but did not fix any time for them; those of them that were "wise", adorned themselves, and sat at the gate of the king's house, and said, is there any want at the king's house? but those of them that were "fools", went and did their work, and said, is there any feast without trouble? on a sudden, the king inquired after his servants: the wise went in before him, as they were, adorned; but the fools went in before him, as they were, filthy: the king rejoiced at meeting the wise, and was angry at meeting the foolish; and ordered, that those who had adorned themselves for the feast should sit and eat, and those that had not adorned themselves for the feast should stand.''
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The wise virgins are such, who are wise, not in their own conceits, which is the case of natural men, and empty professors; nor in the things of nature, or in the things of the world, of which the saints are oftentimes less knowing than others; nor in notional and speculative knowledge, much less in things that are evil: but they are such who are wise unto salvation; who not only know the scheme of it, but are sensible of their need of it; apply to Christ for it; venture their souls on him, and commit them to him: they trust in his righteousness for justification; in his blood for pardon; in his sacrifice for atonement; in his fulness for daily supplies; in his grace and strength to perform every duty; and expect eternal life in, and from him: they know him, prize him, and value him as their Saviour; rejoice in him, and give him all the glory; and they are such who are also wise in the business of a profession, as well as in the affair of salvation; they are such who take up a profession of religion aright, upon principles of grace, and after mature thought and deliberation; and when they have so done, hold it fast without wavering, walk becoming it in their lives and conversations; and yet do not depend on it, or trust to it:
and five were foolish; not in their own apprehension, in which they might be wise enough; nor in the judgment of others; nor in natural knowledge; or with respect to the things of the world; nor in speculative notions of the Gospel; nor merely so called, because unconverted; every unconverted man being a foolish man: but they were so in the business of salvation; as all are who build their hopes of it on birth privileges; on a carnal descent from good men; on a religious education; on their own righteousness; or on the absolute mercy of God; and not on Christ, the one only, and sure foundation: they are such who know not themselves; the impurity of their hearts, and nature; their impotency to that which is spiritually good; and the imperfection and insufficiency of their own righteousness: they know not Christ, and his salvation, neither the worth, nor want of him, or that; and are altogether strangers to the power of godliness, and spiritual experience: and are also as foolish in the affair of a profession, which they take up without a work of the Spirit of God upon their souls, and without considering the cost and charge of it; and either in a little time wholly drop it, or, if they hold it, they foolishly depend upon it, or lead lives unsuitable to it. The number of wise and foolish virgins being equal, does not imply that there will be just the same number of nominal, as of real believers in the churches, in the latter day, a little before the coming of Christ; only that there will be a large number of such among them.
(m) T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 153. 1. Vid. R. David Kimchi in Isa. lxv. 13.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv3–9 The foolish took no oil with them - No…
The foolish took no oil with them - No more than kept them burning just for the present. None to supply their future want, to recruit their lamp's decay. The lamp is faith. A lamp and oil with it, is faith working by love.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Verse 2. Five of them were wise] Or, provident,…
Verse 2. Five of them were wise] Or, provident, φρονιμοι - they took care to make a proper provision beforehand, and left nothing to be done in the last moment.
Five were foolish] μωροι, which might be translated careless, is generally rendered foolish; but this does not agree so well with φρονιμοι, provident, or prudent, in the first clause, which is the proper meaning of the word. μωρος in the Etymologicon, is thus defined, μη ὁρᾶ το δεον, he who sees not what is proper or necessary. These did not see that it was necessary to have oil in their vessels, (the salvation of God in their souls,) as well as a burning lamp of religious profession, Matt 25:3; Matt 25:4.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv2, 5, 6, 9, 10 Mat 25:2-4. And five of them were wise —…
Mat 25:2-4. And five of them were wise — Prudent and provident; and five foolish — Inconsiderate and careless. These latter took their lamps — Took up a profession of the true religion; but took no oil with them — No more than kept them burning just for the present. None to supply their future want, to recruit their lamps’ decay. They did not receive or maintain the saving grace of God, did not get or keep faith working by love, an interest in and union with Christ the good olive, or the life of God in their souls. But the wise took oil in their vessels, &c. — Together with the lamp of an external profession, they secured and maintained vital godliness, through the indwelling of the Spirit of God, and living in the Spirit, they walked in the Spirit, seeking daily, a fresh supply of spiritual strength, till their faith was made perfect.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 And five of them were wise - . The…
And five of them were wise - . The words “wise and foolish,” here, refer only to their conduct; in regard to the oil. The one part was “wise” in taking oil, the other “foolish” in neglecting it. The conduct of those who were “wise” refers to those who are “prepared” for the coming of Christ - prepared by possessing real piety, and not being merely his professed followers. The conduct of those “without” oil expresses the conduct of those who profess to love him, but are destitute of true grace, and are therefore unprepared to meet him. Nothing can be argued from the number here in regard to the proportion of sincere Christians among professors. circumstances in parables are not to be pressed literally. They are necessary to keep up the story, and we must look chiefly or entirely to the scope or design of the parable to understand its meaning. In this parable the scope is to teach us to “watch” or be ready, Mat 25:13. It is not to teach us the relative “number” of those who shall be saved and who shall not. In teaching us to “watch and to be ready,” our Lord gives great additional interest by the circumstances of this narrative; but there is no authority for saying that he meant to teach that just half of professing Christians would be deceived. The moral certainty is that “nothing like” that number will be found to have been hypocrites.
Oil in their vessels - The five foolish virgins probably expected that the bridegroom would come immediately; they therefore made no provision for any delay. The wise virgins knew that the time of his coming was uncertain, and they therefore furnished themselves with oil. This was carried in “vessels,” so that it could be poured on the torches when it was necessary.
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Vessels - Cups, cans, or anything to hold oil.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 But the wise took oil. Under this parable, we…
But the wise took oil. Under this parable, we have the state of all Christians in their mortal pilgrimage justly delineated. The wise took oil in their lamps, the necessary qualifications of grace and charity, joined with divine faith, and an additional supply of oil in their vessels; i.e. they laid up in store for themselves a solid foundation of good works. St. Gregory teaches, that by the lamps, faith is meant; and by the light, good works. Hence he concludes that the bad, although they have lamps, i.e. faith, no less than the good, shall be excluded; because their lamps are out, i.e. their faith is dead, without charity and good works to enlighten them. (hom. xii.) --- St. Augustine also declares, that these lighted lamps are good works, viz. works of mercy and good conversation, which shine forth before men. (ep. 120. chap. xxxiii.) --- And, that this oil is a right inward intention, directing all our works to the greater glory of God, and not to the praise of ourselves in the sight of men. (Idem. ibid. [St. Augustine, ep. 120. chap. xxxiii.]) --- The foolish virgins had a little oil in their lamps at first, sufficient to shine before men, by some little external shew of piety, or certain works done through fear, profit, or human respects; but had made no provision of solid piety and charity, by means of which they might, like the prudent virgins, produce good works to salvation. (Jansenius)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv2–12 2. Five… wise… five… foolish — As their conduct…
2. Five… wise… five… foolish — As their conduct demonstrated. This is not to be taken as an indication of the comparative number of the saved and the lost.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 2. wise] The word is used of prudence or…
2. wise] The word is used of prudence or practical intelligence, a characteristic of the steward, ch. Mat_24:45, and Luk_16:8.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 (2) Five of them were wise.—The word is the…
(2) Five of them were wise.—The word is the same as in Mat_24:45, where see Note.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv2–12 Five of them were wise, (fronimoi , Mat_24:45) and…
Five of them were wise, (fronimoi , Mat_24:45) and five were foolish. The best uncials (a, B, C, D, L) invert the clauses, in agreement with the order in vers. 3, 4. So the Vulgate. In this case the idea would be that the foolish were a more prominent and noticeable class than the others. All the virgins were outwardly the same, were provided with the same lamps, prepared to perform the same office; the difference in their characters is proved by the result. Their folly is seen in the fact that at the time of action they were unable to do the part which a little care and forethought would have enabled them to perform successfully.
HOMILIES BY R. TUCK Ver. 2. Signs of wisdom and of folly in the Christian life.
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"And five of them were wise, and five were foolish." We should not confuse the word "foolish" with the word "wicked." Some were thoughtless, heedless of possibilities; they lived in the present, and could not anticipate. Life is full of emergencies, and he is wise who prepares for all that he can imagine may come. Our Lord frequently impressed the importance of forethought in the Christian life. He had immediately before been counselling his disciples to be "always ready." It is that point he now further illustrates in these three parables of the chapter, showing that the true readiness includes
(1) maintenance of the personal religious life;
(2) full response to all Christian obligations; and
(3) kindly relations with all around us.
In the parable of the "virgins," we are taught that the wise Christian provides for the maintenance of the soul"s life, but the foolish Christian is content to live on the experiences of today.
I WISE CHRISTIAN LIVING. Strain of some kind is sure to come in every Christian life. It may take forms of affliction, persecution, temptation; but our Lord intimates that nothing will ever really test and try us so much as "mere continuance." This is his point in the teachings of the last time. Everybody was anticipating speedy consummations. He says, "the end is not yet." The bridegroom is certainly coming, but there may be long waiting times before he comes. Wise disciples provide for the strain of "patient continuing in well doing." And the provision they make is soul nourishment. They keep the oil stores replenished; they keep the soul"s light brightly shining, and then they are ready for all circumstances, prepared for all delay and for all strain. That is the secret of Christian wisdom, "Keep thy soul with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." What are the soul stores from which the soul"s light may be kept replenished, should be felly illustrated.
II FOOLISH CHRISTIAN LIVING. There is both a wrong and a right concern for the "morrow." It is wrong to worry over it; it is right to anticipate and prepare for it. It is foolish merely to enjoy the present. Dods says, "The foolish virgins are a warning to all who are tempted to make conversion everything, edification nothing; who cultivate religion for a season, and then think they have done enough; who were religious once, can remember the time when they had very serious thoughts and very solemn resolutions, but who have made no earnest effort, and are making none, to maintain within themselves the life they once began." Christian folly is neglecting personal soul culture. R.T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v10 And the door was shut.
Mat_25:10
And the door was shut.
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The shut door
I. Exclusion.
1. Necessary for the sake of the redeemed. One guest who does not enter into the spirit of your festivity robs your friends of their joy.
2. Necessary when we regard the sinner himself.
II. Finality of exclusion. The word here used for shut does not mean simply to close to, but to shut that it cannot be opened-to lock. The door is open now. (D. F. Jarman, B. A.)
The closed door
I. The characters in danger of this great calamity.
1. The mere religious professor.
2. The procrastinating.
II. What is the door which is shut.
1. The door of repentance will be shut.
2. The door of religious opportunity and of hope.
3. The door of glory, honour, and immorality will be shut. (D. Moore.)
The door was shut
1. The door of heaven was shut.
2. The door of mercy was shut.
3. The door of hope was shut.
4. The door of hell was shut. (W. Hare, M. A.)
The gates closed
Two readings of the text. I am glad some gates will be closed.
1. The persecutions of this world cannot get through the gate of heaven.
2. The fatigues of life will not get through the gate.
3. The bereavements of life will not get through the gate.
There will be some persons who will come up to that gate at last who will not be admitted.
1. The outrageously wicked and abandoned most certainly cannot get in.
2. The door of heaven will not open to those who are depending upon their morality for salvation.
3. The gate of heaven will not open for the merely hollow professor.
4. All infidels and sceptics will be kept out. (Dr. Talmage.)
Lost opportunities
1. Let us consider how easily this may happen with respect to outward blessings and opportunities in life. Take education; friendship; wealth; personal capacity; the value of these is often missed till it is too late. Thus as the years pass, we listen in life to the sound of the closing doors as, one after another, they strike upon the ear of the soul and of the conscience.
2. The door is shut for each of us as we draw our last breath. There is no repentance in the grave. (Canon Liddon.)
The door an emblem of separation
A door is a barrier which often separates two very unlike scenes. On one side, for instance, are green fields, and bright sunshine, and running streams, and happy laughter. On the other, the manacled forms of listless prisoners, the dark cell, the moan of despair, the vision of death. Or, outside are wild, sobbing, wintry winds, driving showers of hail and sleet, homeless wanderers, friendless outcasts; inside, bright light, abundant food, a warm hearth, and a cheerful circle of friends. Between such opposite scenes as these there is only a door. The real question in all such cases is, Can I open that door? Can I pass through it? If not, all the waters of the sea, all the mountains of the world, could not form a stronger barrier. (G. Tugwell, M. A.)
The door was sheer rejection of the wicked
Dreadful to be read or heard; but much more so to be experienced. Oh, foolish virgins; foolish indeed. All their labour is now lost, and they themselves too. Separated from the wise virgins, their fellows, and from God.
I. The door primarily the door of heaven, and with it the door of
(1) opportunity;
(2) pity;
(3) hope.
II. Awfulness of this.
(1) It is God who shuts the door.
(2) No other way of entrance.
(3) Might once have entered.
(4) Others are in and we shut out.
III. Improvement.
(1) Terror of wicked.
(2) Happiness of saints.
(3) Distinction between saints and sinners is a lasting one. (B. Beddome, A. M.)
Lost opportunities
In the spiritual world as well as in the natural world there is a seedtime, and unless you sow your seed in the seed-time it will rot in the ground. What would you think of the farmer who said, It is not quite convenient for me to sow the corn at the time when the other farmers are sowing it. I very much prefer to enjoy myself, and go my own way, and do what I like. God is a God of love and mercy, and He is also omnipotent, and He certainly would not wish that my wife and children should starve for want of food; so I will sow my seed in the summer, and then God in His omnipotent mercy will cause it to bring forth a harvest, and I shall have a supply, and my wife and children will be provided with food. Do you think this mans strange idea about the love of God will alter the facts of the case? I tell you that while he is talking thus he is deliberately violating the laws of God revealed by nature, and as he deliberately violates the laws of God on selfish grounds, without the slightest necessity, and wantonly, that man shall put his seed into the ground and talk about the love of God, and his seed shall rot before his eyes and his children shall die of starvation, the love of God notwithstanding. You must sow at the right time, or it will not spring up. (H. P. Hughes, M. A.)
Shut doors
Thus, as the years pass, we listen in life to the sound of the closing doors as, one after another, they strike upon the ear of the soul and of the conscience. We hear them proclaiming that a something which once was ours, and for the use of which we still have to answer, is ours no longer. We hear them more often, we hear them louder, as the time flies past; and thus in their frequency and their urgency they lead us up towards a climax when there will be the closing of a door and none beyond it-the door of our individual probation at death, the door of all probations at the last judgment. Place the last judgment in the light of that aspect of life on which we have been dwelling, and it is seen in its essential character and principle to be not an innovating catastrophe as much as the result to which the lesser catastrophes of life steadily point onward. It is the final term of many experiences which lead up to it. As by a continuous analogy it exhibits visibly, and on a scale of unimagined vastness, that judgment of God which is ever going forward invisibly, and, with individuals, bringing to a close first one and then another sphere and department of our responsibility, until the account is sufficiently made up to be closed in whatever sense, until the time has come when all accounts can be closed, and the last hour for the world of moral beings of their probation has clearly sounded in the providence of God. (Canon Liddom)
The feeling of exclusion
The poet Cowper tells us that, when under conviction of sin, he dreamed that he was walking in Westminster Abbey, waiting for prayers to begin. Presently I heard the ministers voice, and hastened towards the choir. Just as I was upon the point of entering, the iron gate under the organ was flung in my face, with a jar that made the Abbey ring. The noise awakened rue; and a sentence of excommunication from all the churches upon earth could not have been so dreadful to me as the interpretation which I could not avoid putting upon this dream.
Too late
Have you not felt a fainting of heart, and a bitterness of spirit, when, after much preparation for an important journey, you have arrived at the appointed place, and found that the ship or train by which you had intended to travel had gone with all who were ready at the appointed time, and left you behind? Can you multiply finitude by infinitude? Can you conceive the dismay which will fill your soul if you come too late to the closed door of heaven, and begin the hopeless cry, Lord, Lord, open to us? (Win. Arnot.)
The door of doom
A lady, who heard Whitefield in Scotland preach on these words, being placed between two dashing young men, but at a considerable distance from the pulpit, witnessed their mirth, and overheard one say, in a low tone, to the other, Well, what if the door be shut? Another will open. Thus they turned off the solemn words of warning. Mr. Whitefield had not proceeded far when he said, It is possible there may be some careless, trifling person here to-day, who may ward off the force of this impressive subject by lightly thinking, What matter if the door be shut? Another will open. The two young men were paralyzed, and looked at each other. Mr. Whitefield proceeded: Yes: another will open. And I will tell you what door it will be: it will be the door of the bottomless pit!-the: door of hell!-the door which conceals from the eyes of angels the horrors of damnation!
The duty of watching for the Lords coming
Many things should make us look and long for the Lords coming. A sense of justice should have this effect. He suffered here; should He not rejoice here? He was put to shame here; should he not be glorified here? He was judged and condemned here; should He not rule and reign here? He laboured here; should He not rest here? Love to Christ should have the same effect. When a friend whom we greatly love is absent, dont we often think of him? and if we hope that he will soon return, do we not long for it, and count the months and days that intervene? If you are expecting a friend, say from India, does not your nimble mind seem to go with him all the way home? You say, Now he is passing the Sunderbunds, now crossing the Bay of Bengal, now at the Point de Galle, now in the Indian Ocean, now in the Red Sea, now passing through the Desert, now in the Mediterranean, and now sighting our shores. If we did not so often go to the Bible, with a veil upon our faces-an extinguisher upon our heads-we should see that the thought of Christs coming was far more present to the mind of the early Christians than it is to ours. (John Milne.)
The benefits of watching for the Lords coming
It quickens to care and diligence. He was a shrewd man who said, The eye of the master is worth a dozen overseers. I remember once living at a place where a large number of people were constantly employed in keeping the walks, grounds, and gardens in order. The proprietor was absent, and everything had a sleepy, slovenly look. But when tidings came that he would soon return, all became awake, earnest, and active. The pruning, the rolling, the weeding, the sweeping, went on amain; none rested till all was ready; and all were gratified by the look and word of approval, when the master came. And so, if we constantly felt, I know not the day or hour that my Lord may come, it would exercise a salutary influence on our whole character and conduct. It would keep us from much sin and folly; it would keep us from wearying and despondency; it would keep us always ready, in that frame of mind, and that employment of time, in which we should like Him to find us. It would keep us from being absorbed with earthly things; it would regulate our affections, connections, and recreations. Shall I go where I would not like my Lord to find me? Shall I tie myself to those whom I must leave behind when the Lord comes? If you were always watching, you would have a constant sense of readiness, and so a constant peace of mind. If you were always watching, it would have an effect on those among whom you live; it would either condemn or awaken them. We know the watchman on the streets at night. He has his lamp; he is on the outlook; he is not sauntering idly along; he has an object. But, you say, would not all these ends be answered by thinking of death, that it will come, and may come at any time,-oh! how suddenly in these last times, both on land and sea? Well, in many respects this would have the same effect. But do you habitually watch for death? Is it always present to your thoughts, influencing your whole character and conduct? If your mind is like mine, you will honestly answer No. Death is not a pleasant object of contemplation,-that death-struggle, that death-dew, that parting with loved friends, that cold, lonely grave! But, blessed be the Lord, He does not bid us watch for death; He bids us watch for Himself. (John Milne.)
Uncertainty of the time of our Lords advent a motive for watching
Take heed of slackening the spring, of weakening the motive, by introducing the idea that a long period must elapse, that great changes and revolutions must take place, before the Lord can come. Take heed of this, for it will certainly diminish your freshness, spirituality, love, and zeal. I marvel at the presumption of mortal men, who take it upon them to fix how near, or how distant, that coming is. Christ, when on earth, said distinctly, No man knows it; angels do not know it; I myself know it not. He says, All that My Father hath showed Me, I have made known to you, but this a thing which My Father at present has not seen fit to show Me. He has kept it in His own power. We can see the Divine wisdom of this reticence. The element of uncertainty is just the tempering of the spring,-what gives it an unchanging elasticity in all generations. If men knew the exact time, the whole world would be on the qui vive. Flesh and blood could then take cognizance of it; and this high, holy, spiritual motive would degenerate into a mere carnal, sensational thing. (John Milne.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv2–12 2. And five of them were wise, and five…
2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. The quality that made the difference between them was prudent forethought on the part of the wise. Compare Matt. 7:21–27.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv6, 11 The coming of the bridegroom:
The coming of the bridegroom:
v. 6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
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v. 7. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
v. 8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
v. 9. 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.
v. 10. 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.
After an unusually long delay, after they had almost given up all hopes, someone, having been aroused by the noise of the approaching company of the bridegroom, gave the alarm. All of the virgins quickly jumped up and trimmed the wicks of their lamps, in order that they might be burning with full brightness as they entered into the wedding-feast. But the improvident virgins were not ready for the emergency, their lamps, whose oil had been consumed, were at the point of going out, there was a mere glimmering of a dry wick. But their appeal to the prudent virgins met with a cold reception. If their request were granted, there was danger that they all would lack oil and be refused admission to the marriage festival. This is not selfishness, but sound prudence. In the emergency of Christ’s coming to Judgment, the helpfulness of the Christian life is a thing of the past, and the bands of friendship and even of the closest relationship are torn asunder. The time of grace is at an end. The merchants, the dispensers of God’s grace, have definitely closed their shops. Everyone must stand on his own merits. "That is a clap of thunder against those that rely upon the merits of the saints and other people; since none of them has enough for himself, not to speak of having something left over to impart to others. Therefore, when they now want to come and knock, and would also like to go in to the wedding, they will have to hear, as did the foolish virgins: I know you not; those that were to come in have come in. That will be a terrible sentence. " The frantic attempts of the imprudent virgins to provide fuel for their lamps were without avail. And, in the meantime, the festival procession reached the home of the bride. Those that were fully prepared in every respect went with the bride groom and were seated at the festival board, whereupon the door was locked. Fatal words, shutting off all hope!
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv5, 7, 10 This word is used here to mark a break…
Now
This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Jesus starts to tell a new part of the story.
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while the bridegroom was delayed
This can be stated in active form. AT: "while the bridegroom was taking a long time to arrive" (See: Active or Passive)
they all got sleepy
"all ten virgins got sleepy"
there was a cry
"someone shouted"
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv3, 5, 6 25:3 While some have speculated that the oil symbolizes…
25:3 While some have speculated that the oil symbolizes something specific (such as the Holy Spirit), it probably merely supports the point that proper preparation for the second coming of Christ is needed.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.