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.
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Matthew 25:8-13 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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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.
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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.
Watche therefore: for ye knowe nether the daye nor yet the houre when the sonne of man shall come.
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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.
Watch therfore: for ye know neither the day, nor the houre, when the sonne of man will come.
Cross-references (59)
- Matthew 24:42-44 (v13) Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of…
- Revelation 16:15 (v13) “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.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (v13) so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober.
- Luke 21:36 (v13) Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before…
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 (v13) Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!
Show all 59 cross-references
- Mark 13:33-37 (v13) 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,…
- 1 Peter 5:8 (v13) Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
- Matthew 24:50 (v13) the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it, and in an hour when he doesn’t know it,
- 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 4:5 (v13) But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
- Acts 20:31 (v13) Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
- 1 Peter 4:7 (v13) But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
- 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…
- Proverbs 13:9 (v8) The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
- Matthew 24:44 (v10) Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.
- 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…
- 1 Corinthians 8:3 (v12) But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him.
- 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…
- Luke 12:35 (v8) “Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning.
- John 10:27 (v12) My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
- 2 Timothy 2:19 (v12) However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the…
- 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.
- Luke 13:26-30 (v12) Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know…
- Revelation 3:17-18 (v9) Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable,…
- Psalms 95:11 (v10) Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They won’t enter into my rest.”
- Isaiah 55:6-7 (v9) Seek Yahweh while he may be found. Call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let…
- Amos 8:12-13 (v10) They will wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east; they will run back and forth to seek Yahweh’s word, and will not…
- Matthew 25:6 (v10) But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’
- 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.
- 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…
- 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…
- 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 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…
- 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 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.
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- Luke 16:24 (v8) He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue!…
- John 9:31 (v12) We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God, and does his will, he listens to him.
- Acts 8:22 (v9) Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
- Colossians 1:12 (v10) giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,
- Habakkuk 1:13 (v12) You who have purer eyes than to see evil, and who cannot look on perversity, why do you tolerate those who deal treacherously, and keep…
- Acts 8:24 (v8) Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”
- Galatians 4:9 (v12) But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv8–13 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give…
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Ver. 8. Our lamps are gone out] They were not lighted lamps, but sparks of their own tinderboxes; fantastic fire, an ignis fatuus, foolish fire, a painted flame, which neither heats nor lights. The glowworm seems to have both heat and light, but touch it, and it hath neither. Alchemy gold may seem brighter and better than true gold, but it can neither pass the seventh fire, nor comfort the heart as a cordial: so here. A man may live by a form, but he cannot die by it. They that kindle a fire, but not of God’s sanctuary, and compass themselves about with specious sparks, they may walk here for a while in the light of their fire, and in the sparks that they have kindled. But when all is done, this is all they shall have of God’s hand, they shall lie down to sorrow, Isa 50:11.
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 vv9, 10, 11, 13 Observe here, 1. The wise virgin’s denial, Not so;…
Observe here, 1. The wise virgin’s denial, Not so; they will part with no oil.
Learn hence, That it must be the care of every one to get grace of his own, otherwise the grace of others will do him no good. It is not what others have done, that will save us, without our own endeavours.
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Observe, 2. The reason of their denial, Lest there be not enough for us and you.
Thence note, That such Christians as have most grace, or the largest stock of grace, have none to spare; none to spare in regard of their occasions for grace on earth, and in regard of their expectations of glory in heaven.
Observe, 3. The advice and counsel given; Go to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Some take this for an exhortation, others for a mocking derision. Go to them that sell: That is, say some, to the shop of the ordinances where it may be had.
Thence note, That such as would have grace, must have timely recourse to the ordinances and means of grace: Go to them, and buy. Others understand the words ironically, and as spoken by way of derision, Go to them that sell, if you know where to find them, and either buy or borrow for yourselves.
Learn thence, That it is the greatest folly in the world to have oil to buy, when we should have oil to burn; to have our grace to seek, when we should have it to exert and exercise. It is no time to get grace when the Bridegroom is come, and the day of grace is past and over.
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 vv8–13 And the foolish said unto the wise, give us…
And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil,.... A graceless person may be able to see the grace of God in others, be convinced of it, and acknowledge it, as these foolish virgins did: they saw that the wise virgins had oil, that is, grace; this they knew by the bright burning of their lamps, by their readiness in trimming them, and that in a different way from them; by their sedate composure of mind, and confidence of soul, notwithstanding the midnight cry; and by their ardent and affectionate desire to meet the bridegroom. A graceless person may also see a need of grace: these foolish virgins had no such sense, when they first took up their profession; they went on a long time in a course of religion, without any thoughts of it; and the sense they had now was not of the need of it, in the vessels of their hearts, but in their lamps only; nor was it from the Spirit of God, but through the surprise and terror of the midnight cry. Such persons may also be desirous of the grace of God; not because of the intrinsic nature and worth of it, nor for the service and glory of God, but from a mere principle of self-love; and when they can go on no longer with the lamp of profession; and then they desire to have it any where, rather than from Christ, as did these foolish virgins; and who betrayed their folly by applying to saints for it. Had they asked their advice in this their distress, it would have been wisely done; or had they desired their prayers for them; or that they would impart some spiritual instructions to them; but to ask their grace of them was exceeding foolish; when grace only comes from God, who is the God of all grace, through Christ as mediator, in whom the fulness of it dwells, and by the Spirit, who is a Spirit of grace and of supplication; but is never to be had from men, no, not from the best men on earth, nor from the angels in heaven. The reason of this their request follows,
for our lamps are gone out; which may be said to be when professors neglect the duties of religion, drop, or deny the doctrines of the Gospel formerly professed by them, become bad in their principles, and scandalous in their lives, or withdraw themselves from the churches of Christ; though neither of these seem to be the case here: wherefore this going out of their lamps seems to intend the insufficiency of an external profession of religion to meet the bridegroom, and support a person with confidence and intrepidity in his presence: these foolish virgins now saw, when too late, that their lamps availed them nothing; they were gone out, and become useless and unprofitable, because they had not the oil of grace with them; or what they had was only counterfeit grace, or only an appearance of it; a mere form of godliness, without its power; or only gifts which are perishable, and now failed, ceased, and were vanishing away; wherefore this is no instance of the loss of true grace, nor at all militates against the perseverance of the saints.
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 vv8, 9, 13 Give us of your oil, for our lamps are…
Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out - Our faith is dead. What a time to discover this! Whether it mean the time of death, or of judgment. Unto which of the saints wilt thou then turn? Who can help thee at such a season?
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv8–13 Verse 8. Our lamps are gone out.] σβεννυνται, are…
Verse 8. Our lamps are gone out.] σβεννυνται, are going out. So then it is evident that they were once lighted. They had once hearts illuminated and warmed by faith and love; but they had backslidden from the salvation of God, and now they are excluded from heaven, because, through their carelessness, they have let the light that was in them become darkness, and have not applied in time for a fresh supply of the salvation of God.
A Jewish rabbin supposes God addressing man thus:-I give thee my lamp, give thou me thy lamp; if thou keep my lamp I will keep thy lamp; but if thou extinguish my lamp I will extinguish thy lamp. That is, I give thee my WORD and testimonies to be a light unto thy feet and a lanthorn to thy steps, to guide thee safely through life; give me thy SOUL and all its concerns, that I may defend and save thee from all evil: keep my WORD, walk in my ways, and I will keep thy SOUL that nothing shall injure it; but if thou trample under foot my laws, I will cast thy soul into outer darkness.
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 vv9, 10, 13 Mat 25:9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so…
Mat 25:9. But the wise answered, saying, Not so — The words, not so, are not in the Greek, which is only, μηποτε ουκ αρκεση ημιν και υμιν, lest it should not be sufficient for us and you. They begin the sentence abruptly, showing thereby their surprise at the state of those poor wretches who had so long deceived them, as well as their own souls. Lest there be not enough — It is sure there is not: for no man has more holiness than is sufficient for himself. Go ye rather to them that sell — Without money, and without price: That is, to God in Christ. And buy — If ye can. O no! The time is past, and returns no more. But this clause, Buy for yourselves, seems, as Dr. Doddridge observes, “merely an ornamental circumstance; and it is strange that any popish writers should consider it as favouring their doctrine of a stock of merits in the church, founded on works of supererogation; since, if it referred to them at all, (which there is no reason to imagine,) it would rather expose than encourage any dependance upon them.” Observe, reader, now only is the accepted time, and the day of salvation, when we may come to God through Christ, in the use of the means of grace, and buy for ourselves the divine oil, which will never fail us: nay, we are counselled and exhorted to do so: and if we despise and reject these counsels and exhortations, while they may be useful, our cries and wishes will be as surely rejected another day, and our vain attempts to purchase when the bridegroom is coming will issue in an eternal exclusion from his kingdom.
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 vv10–13 Went in with him to the marriage - The…
Went in with him to the marriage - The “marriage-feast.” The marriage ceremony took place before the bride left her father’s house, but a feast was given at the house of her husband, which was also called the “marriage,” or a part of the marriage solemnities. This part of the parable doubtless represents the entrance of those who “are ready,” or prepared, into the kingdom of God, when the Son of man shall come. They will be ready who have repented of their sins; who truly believe on the Lord Jesus; who live a holy life; and who wait for his coming. See Mar 16:16; Joh 5:24; Act 3:19; Rev 22:11; 2Pe 3:11-12; 1Ti 6:17-19; 2Ti 4:6-8.
The door was shut - No more could be admitted to the marriage-feast. So, when the truly righteous shall all be received into heaven, the door will be closed against all others. There will be no room for preparation afterward, Rev 22:11; Ecc 11:3; Ecc 9:10; Mat 25:46.
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 vv8, 9, 10, 13 For our lamps are gone out. Thus too many…
For our lamps are gone out. Thus too many trusting to their faith alone, and leading a tepid indifference life, are negligent in preparing themselves by good works for the coming of the bridegroom. But when they perceived themselves called away from this life, to go and meet their judge, they then begin to find their lamps extinguished, and to think of procuring for themselves the oil of good works, by bequeathing their effects to the poor. Though we ought not to despair of the salvation of these, still there is great room to fear; for, a death-bed repentance is seldom sincere, more seldom, or never perfect, and always uncertain. (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 vv8–13 8. Give us of your oil — Here is…
8. Give us of your oil — Here is expressed, in dialogue form, the fearful condition of the soul that wakes in eternity without the grace of God. He finds his own case deficient. He looks to others for aid. Alas! he that is wise is wise for himself, and he that scorneth alone must bear it.
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 vv8, 9, 10, 11, 13 8. are gone out] Rather, “are going out.” Even…
8. are gone out] Rather, “are going out.” Even the foolish virgins had not been quite unwatchful, they were nearly ready for the Lord’s appearing.
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 vv8, 9, 10, 12 (8) Our lamps are gone out.—Better, as in the…
(8) Our lamps are gone out.—Better, as in the margin, are going out. They were not quite extinguished; the flax was still smoking.
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 vv8–13 The foolish said unto the wise. They apply to…
The foolish said unto the wise. They apply to their prudent companions for aid at this crisis. They recognize now the superior wisdom of the others, and would fain have their assistance to hide their own deficiencies. Are gone out (sbenuntai , are going out). The lamps, fresh trimmed, had burned for a few moments, and then, having no oil, soon waned and died out. Spiritually speaking, the idea of these people seems to have been that the merits of others could supply their lack, or that there was a general store of grace to which they could have recourse, and which would serve instead of individual personal preparation. See here a terrible warning against delay in the matter of the soul, or against trusting to a death bed repentance.
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 vv8–13 8. Give us of your oil, for our lamps…
8. Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. The Revision says, more correctly, “Our lamps are going out,” They had kept up a flickering light to this time. Their apparent piety, though it satisfied them before, was not sufficient now. Shams disappear in the presence of death or judgment.
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.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v13 Son of man
Son of man
Also Mat 24:31. (See Scofield "Mat 8:20").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v11 Too late:
Too late:
v. 11. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
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v. 12. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
v. 13. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.
When it was too late, the other virgins came. It is not stated whether they had any success in their quest. But they made an attempt to gain admittance to the wedding-feast. Without success! With solemn emphasis they are told: I know you not. Their terror, repentance, and despair "have come too late; they have neglected their opportunity; they have forfeited their happiness. The Lord adds the solemn warning of chapter 24:42 once more, urging constant, ceaseless watchfulness, since the day and the hour of His coming is hidden from the knowledge of men. To summarize: The bridegroom is Jesus Christ, Joh 3:29. The feast is the blessedness of heaven prepared for all His true followers. The foolish virgins are such as have indeed received faith, but have kept only its outward semblance, hoping to find acceptance on the strength of past merits. The wise virgins are such as are careful about providing and keeping fuel for their faith, in order that their lamps may not be extinguished at a critical time. The oil is the grace and salvation of God offered and given in the Word, by the work of the Holy Ghost. The bridegroom is apparently delaying His coming, 2Pe 3:9. But He will surely make His appearance for the last great judgment at a time when He is least expected. At that time every one will stand and fall with his own faith, and those that are lacking in its power must accept the fate which they have brought upon themselves: exclusion from the bridal feast of the Lamb.
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 v10 Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
Jesus concludes the parable about the ten virgins. (See: Parables)
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they went away
"the five foolish virgins went away"
to buy
The understood information can be stated clearly. AT: "to buy more oil" (See: Ellipsis)
those who were ready
These are the virgins who had extra oil.
the door was shut
This can be stated in active form. AT: "the servants shut the door" (See: Active or Passive)
open for us
This implicit information can be stated explicitly. AT: "open the door for us so we can come inside" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Truly I say to you
"I tell you the truth." This adds emphasis to what the master says next.
I do not know you
"I do not know who you are." This is the end of the parable.
you do not know the day or the hour
Here "day" and "hour" refer to an exact time. The implied information can be stated explicitly. AT: "you do not know the exact time when the Son of Man will return" (See: Metonymy and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
translationWords
feast
virgin
lord
amen
watch
day
hour, hours
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.