Matthew 25:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

NIV: "But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

NASB: But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’

CSB: "He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you!’

NLT: But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’

KJV: But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

NKJV: But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

It's helpful to remember that, apparently, the ten young, unmarried women who were waiting for the bridegroom had not met him before. He was coming to collect his bride, it seems, but also to meet the wedding party, including these ten young women. The five who were not prepared because they did not have oil were never introduced to him since they were not present when he came (Matthew 25:1–11). Now, well after the appropriate time, they have their oil and have knocked on the door to join the celebration. The bridegroom says simply that he does not know them. He will not let them in.

This conclusion may seem overly harsh to modern ears. Should a young woman who has simply forgotten extra oil for her lamp be barred from participating in a great event like this? It's important to remember that local customs of this day are different from the more casual attitudes of many modern people toward relationships and celebrations. The situation is different, as well: someone arriving unexpectedly late, rather than coming with the rest of the procession, might well be an imposter or even a threat.

It's also important to remember that Jesus is making a point about His own return, and those who follow Him. He is the Bridegroom in this story, and He may return at any time to collect His bride. It will not matter that some are waiting for Him if they do not prepare for His return. What does it mean to be prepared for the second coming of Christ? Thus far, Jesus has shown that being prepared means being busy doing the work He has given to us to do, faithfully and wisely. The New Testament will go on to show that being prepared also means trusting in Christ for salvation now, for our place in the eternal wedding party, instead of waiting until it's too late.

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.

Matthew 25 concludes the "Olivet Discourse:" Jesus' teaching to the disciples about future things as they sit on the Mount of Olives. This follows His dire predictions about the Temple and Jerusalem in chapter 24. He gives two more parables to emphasize that they must be prepared for His return. Finally, Jesus describes the moment of His return, after a time of tribulation, when He will judge all who live on earth at the beginning of His kingdom. This leads into Matthew's account of Jesus' Last Supper, betrayal, and arrest in chapter 26.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.