Matthew 25

Matthew 25:1-13 CONCLUSION OF OUR LORD'S DISCOURSE. PARABLES OF VIRGINS AND TALENTS. THE FINAL JUDGMENT. (Mount of Olives. Tuesday, April 4, A.D. 30.) Matthew 25:1-46
1. Then. That is, at the time of the Lord's coming. Jesus is still emphasizing the lesson of watchfulness, and proceeds to enforce it bytwo parables.

2. Ten virgins. Probably the usual number on such occasions.

3. Who took their lamps. Small earthenware vessels, with flax wicks, and without glass chimneys.

4. And went forth to meet the bridegroom. The Oriental wedding began with a feast in the house of the bride's father. After this thebridegroom led the bride to his own home, and it was the duty of hisservants and household, of whom the ten virgins in this case were part)to honor him and the bride with an enthusiastic welcome.

25:3  For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them¹:

1. For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them. The foolish showed their folly in failing to provide for their lord's"delay". The oil in their lamps would only burn till about midnight.

25:4  but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps¹.

1. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But the wise had provided an additional supply to burn from then till daylight.

25:5  Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept¹.

1. Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Rather, "nodded and slept". They did not lie down to regular slumber,but took such innocent rest as their office permitted. Others were onthe lookout and would give the warning; so these were permitted tosleep, but only in such a posture that they would be ready to arise andgo at once when apprised of their lord's approach.

25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps¹.

1. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The signal- call roused all ten, and each group of five prepared by trimming thelamps.

25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out¹.

1. Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. But then became apparent the difference between them. All had made some preparation,but that of the foolish five had been insufficient. Their glory beganto depart, and their light waned into darkness at the approach of thebridegroom.

25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you¹: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves².

1. Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you. There will be no borrowed righteousness on the day of the Lord's coming, for no onewill have any to spare. The Roman Catholic confidence in saints, andthe trust of some Protestants in pious parents, are alike unavailing:each soul must see to its own lamp.

2. Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Those who had the oil to sell are merely part of the drapery of the parable, putin to bring, put in to bring out the point that it was "too late" tosecure any oil. The oil of God's grace is given without money andwithout price, but in the hour of the Lord's appearing it will be toolate to seek for it.

25:10  And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast¹: and the door was shut².

1. They that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast. The feast in the bridegroom's house was considered the most important partof the marriage, and certainly for those of the lord's own household,it was the only feast.

2. And the door was shut. To be shut out from it was to be deprived of all participation in the marriage joy. All the wisdom and shrewdnessof Universalism can never open this shut door.

25:12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not¹.

1. I know you not. The verb "know" is here used, according to the Jewish idiom, for favorable knowledge. See Matthew 7:23. It signifiedthat these virgins, on account of their remissness, were no longercounted even as acquaintances, much less as part of the household.