Matthew 25:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.

NIV: The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

NASB: but the prudent ones took oil in flasks with their lamps.

CSB: but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps.

NLT: but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.

KJV: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

NKJV: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Jesus has described a very specific scenario to make a distinct point. This is exactly how parables are meant to be interpreted: as illumination of a specific idea, not broad commentary on every detail included. Ten young women are waiting for the arrival of a bridegroom. He is coming to collect his bride, likely at her home, and then to march with her and the wedding party back to his home for a banquet. As is the case in many cultures, this joyful event would have been the highlight of the social calendar, especially for a group of young, unmarried women, here labelled as "virgins" (Matthew 25:1–3).

Five of these young women were foolish and five were wise, as reflected in one way. They all brought lamps, knowing the procession through the streets would take place after dark. The foolish ones, though, did not bring extra oil for their lights. They may have expected the groom to arrive sooner, or they simply didn't think about it at all. If these "lamps" were more like torches, as many commentators assume, it's possible the rags dried out and became unusable without more oil.

Five of the women, though, were wise in the sense that they brought extra oil so they would be ready when the groom showed up.

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.