Matthew 25:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’

NIV: Later the others also came. 'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!'

NASB: Yet later, the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’

CSB: Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, 'Master, master, open up for us! '

NLT: Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’

KJV: Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

NKJV: “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’

The wedding feast has begun. The groom the young women had been waiting for has arrived, collected his bride, and entered the home with all who are present. The door has been shut with only half of those young women waiting inside (Matthew 25:1–10).

Jesus described the other five young women as foolish, thanks to their lack of preparation. They did not bring enough oil for their lamps in case the groom was delayed, and he was. Those who did bring enough oil did not have enough to share. So, the other five have gone off to buy oil, trying to meet the requirements of the wedding procession at the last moment.

After finding what they should have had in the first place, those five finally arrive at the wedding feast. This is an event to which they were invited, but not one for which they were prepared. They call through the closed door, saying "Open to us." Understandably, the doors will not be opened. In the context of the wedding, itself, it would be unsafe to allow others in well after the procession has ended and the doors have been locked. Those who properly prepared to be there are inside, already.

The unprepared, foolish ones have missed the feast because they did not prepare for the groom's arrival ahead of time.

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.