The Passion and the Resurrection · Matthew 25
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins who take their lamps and go out to meet the bridegroom. Five are foolish: they took their lamps but no oil. Five are wise: they took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Because the bridegroom is delayed, they all fall asleep. At midnight a cry rings out: “Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!” The foolish virgins’ lamps are going out; they ask the wise ones for oil, but they refuse: there would not be enough for everyone. While the foolish ones are out buying oil, the bridegroom arrives. Those who are ready go in with him to the wedding feast, and the door is shut. The others come back: “Lord, Lord, open to us.” He answers: “I do not know you.” The conclusion: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
What happens
- Ten virgins go out to meet the bridegroom Matthew 25:1
- Five foolish without oil, five wise with oil Matthew 25:2–4
- The bridegroom is delayed: they all fall asleep Matthew 25:5
- At midnight: “Behold, the bridegroom!” Matthew 25:6–7
- The foolish go to buy oil; the bridegroom arrives, and the door is shut Matthew 25:8–10
- “I do not know you” — “Watch therefore” Matthew 25:11–13
Who is in this story
The lesson
No one can borrow someone else’s faith or get ready at the last minute: each person needs their own “oil.” Since no one knows the day or the hour of the Lord’s return, we need to live ready right now.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Quick quiz on this story
How many of the ten virgins are wise?
“Five of them were wise, and five were foolish.” The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Matthew 25:2–4
What does the bridegroom answer the foolish virgins when they ask him to open the door?
They say, “Lord, Lord, open to us.” He answers, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.” Matthew 25:11–12
When does the cry “Behold, the bridegroom!” ring out?
While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!” Matthew 25:5–6
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