Matthew 25:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

NIV: The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

NASB: But the foolish virgins said to the prudent ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

CSB: The foolish ones said to the wise ones, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.'

NLT: Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’

KJV: And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

NKJV: And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

Jesus is describing the fate of ten young, unmarried women who have come to participate in a wedding celebration. They have been waiting to meet the groom and walk with him and the bridal party back to his home for a wedding feast. The key point of Jesus' story is that five of the young women have been foolish: they did not bring extra oil for their lamps. The groom was delayed longer than they expected. The oil their lamps contained has either been used up or has dried out. The lamps will not stay lit (Matthew 25:1–7).

Naturally, the young women proven foolish by their lack of preparation turn to those described as wise for help. They don't want to miss the festivities, but they aren't prepared. Their most immediate source of help is those who did, in fact, think ahead and prepare. The response will not be what the unprepared women want to hear, but it's a very sensible and honest answer (Matthew 25:9).

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 5/5/2024 3:09:23 AM