Matthew 25:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.

NIV: "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

NASB: Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.

CSB: "Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.

NLT: All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.

KJV: Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

NKJV: Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

The foolishness of five of the ten young women in Jesus' story is about to become apparent. Of the ten, only five were wise enough to bring extra oil for their lamps. The other five brought only what their lamps already contained. Had the bridegroom arrived almost immediately, this might not have been an issue. Yet, he's arriving later than they expected (Matthew 25:1–6).

Most scholars suggest these "lamps" should be understood as objects modern people would think of as torches. These worked by dousing oil onto rags tied around the top of a bundle of sticks or a branch. Historians suggest such torches would burn for as little as 15 minutes before going out. It is possible the young women had not even lit their torches before hearing the cry that the groom has arrived. Or the torches may have burned out as they slept while waiting for the groom, who was delayed.

In any case, all ten young women have awakened and are preparing their lamps or torches to go out into the night. They are likely planning to walk with the groom and the wedding party back to his home for the wedding feast.

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.