Matthew 25:2-12 WEB

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:6-9

Midnight probably also has significance since it is often the time of judgment in Scripture (e.g., Exodus 11:4). When someone announced the arrival of the groom, the virgins all woke up and trimmed their lamps. However the lamps of the foolish soon began to go out (present tense in the Greek text). The preparations of the wise virgins did the unwise no good. The time to prepare had passed.Though Jesus did not go into this, the bride in the parable must be the church, the bride of Christ (cf. 2... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:10-12

Shortly after the announcement went out the groom arrived (cf. Matthew 24:27; Matthew 24:39; Matthew 24:50). There was not enough time for the foolish virgins to obtain oil then. The wise virgins entered the wedding feast, and someone shut the door into the banquet hall (cf. Matthew 25:34-40). There was no more opportunity for the foolish to enter. Their pathetic cries were of no avail (cf. Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 23:37). The groom’s refusal to admit them was not the result of callused... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 25:3

25:3 that (b-2) 'Who were such as.' them; (d-14) That is, 'with them,' the virgins. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 25:9

25:9 lest (e-8) 'Lest perhaps.' see ch. 5.25 and Mark 4:12 . read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 25:1-46

The Ten Viegins. The Talents. The Sheep and the GoatsThe whole of this a, which is entirely concerned with the Second Advent, and contains some of the most striking of all Christ’s sayings, is peculiar to St. Matthew.1-13. Parable of the Ten Virgins. Professing Christians, who alone are addressed here, are warned of the absolute need of sufficient oil, i.e. of sufficient depth and reality in the spiritual life, if they are to be admitted into Christ’s kingdom hereafter. Unless the life of the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 25:2

(2) Five of them were wise.—The word is the same as in Matthew 24:45, where see Note. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 25:3

(3) Took no oil with them.—In the interpretation of the parable, the lamp or torch is obviously the outward life of holiness by which the disciple of Christ lets his light shine before men (Matthew 5:16), and the “oil” is the divine grace, or more definitely, the gift of the Holy Spirit, without which the torch first burns dimly and then expires. The foolish virgins neglected to seek that supply, either from the Great Giver, or through the human agencies by which He graciously imparts it. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 25:5

(5) While the bridegroom tarried.—Strictly speaking, the time thus described includes the whole interval between our Lord’s Ascension and His final Advent; but looking to the law of “springing and germinant accomplishments,” which we have recognised as applicable to the whole subject, we may see in it that which answers to any period in the history of any church, or, indeed, in the life of any member of a church, in which things go smoothly and as after the routine of custom. At such a time... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 25:6

(6) At midnight.—The hour was obviously later than the virgins had expected, and in this we may see a half-veiled suggestion of a like lateness in the coining of the true Bridegroom. The “cry” would be that of the companions of the bridegroom, or of the crowd that mingled with them. In the interpretation of the parable we may see in it, over and above its reference to the final Advent, that which answers to the stir and thrill that announce any coming crisis in the history of Church or people. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 25:8

(8) Our lamps are gone out.—Better, as in the margin, are going out. They were not quite extinguished; the flax was still smoking. read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:6-9

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:10-12

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 25:3

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 25:9

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 25:1-46

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 25:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 25:3

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 25:5

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 25:6

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 25:8

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