Matthew 25:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

NIV: The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

NASB: Now while the groom was delaying, they all became drowsy and began to sleep.

CSB: When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

NLT: When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

KJV: While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

NKJV: But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

In another of Jesus' parables, ten unmarried young ladies have gathered for a wedding procession. They are waiting for the groom to come and collect his bride so that they can walk with the wedding party to his home for the marriage feast. Five of these young women are wise and five are foolish. The wise ones brought extra oil for their lights, while the foolish ones brought only lamps and not extra oil. They expected the groom to come early enough in the evening that this would not be a problem (Matthew 25:1–4).

The groom did not arrive when they expected, however. He was delayed. All ten of the young women got tired and fell asleep waiting for him. Jesus is not condemning the young women for falling asleep while they waited. The issue being highlighted is that they did not realize just how long the groom would be delayed.

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.

Accessed 4/28/2024 6:44:40 PM