Matthew 25:2-12 WEB

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

The parable of the ten virgins. I. THEY GO FORTH . 1 . The kingdom of heaven. Here, as elsewhere, that kingdom is the visible Church. But the present parable seems to relate to a part only of the kingdom, a portion of the Church. There may possibly be no spiritual significance in the word "virgins." Like the number ten, perhaps a common number at such times, it may belong merely to the structure, the imagery of the parable; young unmarried women were and are usually attendants of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

The ten virgins. I. CHRIST INVITES HIS CHURCH TO SHARE HIS JOY . Here is a festal occasion, and the joy and splendour of it will not be complete unless the virgin friends of the bride go forth to meet the bridegroom with their lamps illuminating the gay scene. More than once is the gospel gladness compared to that of a wedding. Under such an image the service and the warfare of life are for the moment forgotten, and its bright, glad side is brought to light. This too is to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

Parable of the ten virgins. This parable illustrates chiefly these three things: the meaning of our Lord's command to watch; its reason; and the means of fulfilling it. I. IT SHOWS US THAT IT DOES NOT MEAN , BE ALWAYS ON THE WATCH , BUT , BE ALWAYS PREPARED . The fisherman's wife who spends her time on the pier head watching for the boats cannot be so well prepared to give her husband a comfortable reception as the woman who is busy about her household... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

The virgins. Amongst the great truths taught in this parable we notice these. I. THAT RELIGION ADMITS OF NO NEUTRALITY . 1 . In either things men may be indifferent. 2 . But the relations of existence forbid neutrality in religion. II. THAT UNBELIEF IS THE PARALYZER OF RELIGIOUS ENERGY . 1 . The world appeals vividly to sense. 2 . The foolish sleep without oil in their vessels. 3 . Even the wise are found sleeping. III. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:2

Five of them were wise ( φρο ì νιμοι , Matthew 24:45 ), and five were foolish. The best uncials ( א , B, C, D, L) invert the clauses, in agreement with the order in Matthew 25:3 , Matthew 25:4 . So the Vulgate. In this case the idea would be that the foolish were a more prominent and noticeable class than the others. All the virgins were outwardly the same, were provided with the same lamps, prepared to perform the same office; the difference in their characters is proved... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:2

Signs of wisdom and of folly in the Christian life. "And five of them were wise, and five were foolish." We should not confuse the word "foolish" with the word "wicked." Some were thoughtless, heedless of possibilities; they lived in the present, and could not anticipate. Life is full of emergencies, and he is wise who prepares for all that he can imagine may come. Our Lord frequently impressed the importance of forethought in the Christian life. He had immediately before been counselling... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:3

They that were foolish ( αἱ ì τινες μωραι ì )… took no oil with them . It has been doubted whether they brought no oil of their own at all, trusting to get their lamps filled by others, or whether they neglected to bring an additional supply to replenish them when exhausted. The latter seems most likely to be the sense intended; as the spiritual aspect of the parable places both classes in exactly the same position at starting, and we know from other sources that, the oil... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:4

In their vessels. These were the flasks or vases carried by the maidens to replenish the oil in the lamps as occasion demanded. The contrast between the two classes seems to lie in the foresight of the one and the negligent carelessness of the other. It has been common from early times to find in the lamps the symbol of faith, in the oil the good works that proceed therefrom. The wise virgins exercise their faith in charity and good works; the foolish profess, indeed, the faith of Christ but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:4

The provision for Christian emergencies. "The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." Some think that torches of tow, steeped in oil, and fastened to the end of sticks, may be meant. Wetstein quotes the following from Rabbi Solomo: "It was the custom in the land of Ishmael to bring the bride from the house of her father to that of her husband in the night time; and there were about tea staffs; upon the top of each was a brazen dish, containing rags, oil, and pitch, and this being... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:5

While the bridegroom tarried ( Matthew 24:48 ). We may suppose that all had lighted their lamps at first, in expectation of being immediately called to meet the bridegroom. But he came not. The advent of Christ was not to be as speedy as the disciples imagined. No one could divine when it would take place. As St. Augustine says, "Latet ultimus dies, ut observetur omnis dies." See here a figure of each Christian's probation. They all slumbered ( ἐνυ ì σταξαν ) and slept ( ἐκα ... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:5

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