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In this lesson:
A continuation of lesson fifty. The Olivet Discourse (part three). Jesus has three days to live. Jesus on His Second Coming. The parable of the ten virgins (25:1-13). Be watchful. This entire passage is Jesus speaking to us. Study Tip: The best way to begin Bible study is with a prayer. |
One of the wise virgins with her lamp
By the German painter Friedrich Schadow (1789-1862) |
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Matthew 25:1-13
Be wise, not foolish 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 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. 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. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. |
Margin notes:
"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins." (25:1) - Which means "Heaven can be illustrated by ten bridesmaids." In biblical times, young unmarried women were called virgins. See "Today's Question" below. "Took oil in their vessels with their lamps." (25:4) - "Took oil in their jars for their lamps." "The bridegroom tarried." (25:5) - "The bridegroom took his time." "Go ye rather to them that sell." (25:9) - "You go to the store instead." "The bridegroom came." (25:10) - The bridegroom represents Jesus. "Went in with him to the marriage." (25:10) - "Went inside with him to the wedding feast." Jesus will be united with His church at the Second Coming. "I know you not." (25:12) - Once God closes the door to salvation, you will not be allowed in (Luke 13:25). "Watch." (25:13) - Jesus is repeating His advice to be ready for His return from Matthew 24:42 and Mark 3:35. He will reinforce it again in Revelation 3:3. |
New Living Translation
Matthew 25:1-13
Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
1 "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
3 The five who were foolish didn't take enough olive oil for their lamps,
4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.
5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 "At midnight they were roused by the shout, 'Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!'
7 "All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.
8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, 'Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.'
9 "But the others replied, 'We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.'
10 "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.
11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, 'Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!'
12 "But he called back, 'Believe me, I don't know you!'
13 "So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return."
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
1 "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
3 The five who were foolish didn't take enough olive oil for their lamps,
4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.
5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 "At midnight they were roused by the shout, 'Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!'
7 "All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.
8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, 'Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.'
9 "But the others replied, 'We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.'
10 "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.
11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, 'Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!'
12 "But he called back, 'Believe me, I don't know you!'
13 "So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return."
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (25:12-13)
Today's Question:
1. What does the parable of the ten virgins mean? (25:1-13)
Always feel free to email your thoughts, opinions, and suggestions.
1. What does the parable of the ten virgins mean? (25:1-13)
Always feel free to email your thoughts, opinions, and suggestions.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. The parable of the Ten Virgins is a warning for us to stay focused on Jesus and be spiritually prepared for His return.
In Jesus' time, weddings typically began at 5 P.M. and lasted several days. The groom and his attendants started the festivities by feasting alone, while the bride and her attendants waited at the bride's house (25:5). Without warning, the groom would come to claim his bride. After the marriage ceremony and feast at the bride's home, the celebrants would move to the groom's house and continue the celebration.
In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus is referring to His Second Coming. He compares the Kingdom of Heaven to the ten virgins (bridesmaids) waiting for the bridegroom (Jesus) to arrive and claim His bride (the church). Since weddings usually began at 5, the bridesmaids weren't expecting the groom at midnight (25:6). While the five wise bridesmaids were prepared with enough fuel to greet the groom (the Messiah) and escort him to the bride, the five foolish ones were unprepared.
The lesson of this parable is to stay focused on God, be spiritually ready to meet Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:6), and not to rely on others for spiritual preparation (25:9; Luke 12:35-38). Once Christ returns, it will be too late to prepare yourself (25:11-12). We must keep our faith strong, study the Bible, and stay obedient to the Word of God. Are you ready?
Application thought for the day:
What else can we learn from the ten bridesmaids?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series," published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham, published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible," published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version, published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament," published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation," published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible," published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible," published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible," published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke