What does Matthew 25:10 mean?
Jesus' latest parable is now reaching its conclusion. Five of ten young women waiting to meet the bridegroom at a wedding party were ready. They have their lights and plenty of oil. They were ready to walk with the procession through the darkened streets. They were even ready for possible delays. The other five are in trouble. They brought only whatever oil was in the lamps when they left (Matthew 25:7), and their lamps will not stay lit. The more prepared women cannot split their oil or none of them will be able to complete their journey (Matthew 25:8–9).With no other options, the unprepared five head out in search of oil for their lamps, but the already-announced bridegroom arrives (Matthew 25:6) while they are gone. He meets the wedding party, including the five young bridal attendants who were prepared. He collects the bride. They all proceed together to the feast in a beautiful, lamp-lit moment while the five foolish young women scramble to come up with a bit of oil for their lamps so they can join in.
The wedding party arrives to the feast, and all who are present enter the home. It is past midnight, so the door to the home is firmly shut and locked behind them.
Matthew 25:1–13 presents Jesus' parable of the ten virgins. These unmarried young women gather to wait for the groom to arrive during a wedding celebration. They plan to join in a procession to a great feast when he comes after dark. Five of the young women foolishly forgot to bring sufficient oil for their lights. When the groom arrives, they scramble to get more oil but are not admitted to the feast when arriving late. Jesus urges His followers to be prepared and watch for His return.
Jesus uses two additional parables to illustrate a state of constant readiness for His return after He has gone. His followers should be working for Him while they wait. They must not be like the foolish young women who missed a wedding feast because they forgot oil for their lamps. They must be like the servants who doubled their harsh master's investments while He was away. Jesus concludes with a third descriptive passage, showing how He will judge between the righteous and evil when He returns as King.