Matthew 25:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.

NIV: But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

NASB: But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the groom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.

CSB: "When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.

NLT: But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.

KJV: And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

NKJV: And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

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.

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.