Matthew 25:2-12 WEB

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:6

At midnight. When sleep is deepest and awaking most unwelcome. The Lord will come "as a thief in the night" ( Matthew 24:42-44 ; 1 Thessalonians 5:2 ). There was a cry made ( γε ì γονεν , hath been made ) . The cry comes either from the watchers or from the advancing company. We are told by the apostle ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ) that "the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God." The suddenness of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:7

Trimmed their lamps. The trimming consisted in removing the charred portion of the wick, and raising the wick itself by means of a pointed wire which was fastened by a chain to each lamp. These operations would be followed by the replenishment of the vase with oil from the vessel carried for what purpose. In a spiritual sense the dormant grace has to be revived at the awful summons. It had, indeed, come upon all unexpectedly at the moment; but while one party was ready to meet the emergency,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:8

The foolish said unto the wise. They apply to their prudent companions for aid at this crisis. They recognize now the superior wisdom of the others, and would fain have their assistance to hide their own deficiencies. Are gone out ( σβε ì νυνται , are going out ) . The lamps, fresh trimmed, had burned for a few moments, and then, having no oil, soon waned and died out. Spiritually speaking, the idea of these people seems to have been that the merits of others could supply their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:9

Not so; lest there be not enough ( μη ì ποτε οὐ μησῃ , haply it will not suffice ). Edersheim renders, "Not at all—it will never suffice for us and you," in order to give the force of the double negation. In Aristotle, μη ì ποτε is often equivalent to "perhaps," e.g. 'Eth. Nic.,' 10.1. 3. "Even so they failed," says St. Chrysostom, "and neither the humanity of those of whom they begged, nor the easiness of their request, nor their necessity and want, made them obtain... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:10

While they went to buy. They followed the advice given them. Whether they were successful or not is left untold; the issue would have been the same in either case; their return would have been too late. The opportunity they had had was not properly used; when preparation was comparatively easy they had neglected to make it; they had been once converted, so to speak, and rested in that fact, and thought it sufficient for all time, omitting to seek for daily supplies of grace, and now they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:10

The warning of the shut door. We need not push the meaning of our Lord's figure to extremes. The shut door properly belongs to the picture he is painting. It is just what actually did happen in such cases. Those not actually in the procession were excluded when the house was reached. "Those virgins had failed in that which could alone give them a claim to admission. Professing to be bridesmaids, they had not been in the bridal procession, and so, in truth and righteousness, he could only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:11

Lord, Lord, open to us. They apply to the bridegroom himself as now taking the direction of affairs. So when Christ the spiritual Bridegroom comes, he rules over all. Here, as elsewhere in the parable, the great spiritual reality shines through the earthly delineation. Whether the five foolish ones obtained oil or not at this late hour matters nothing; they were too late to do that which they had to do, too late to join in the bridal procession, and thus procure admission to the festival.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:12

I know you not. They had not been in the bridal company, nor joined in the festive procession, so the bridegroom could only answer from within that he had no knowledge of them. What is meant spiritually by this rejection is doubtful. This is not a solitary instance of the use of the expression. In the sermon on the mount Christ declared that his sentence on those that professed, but practised not, would be, "I never knew you: depart from me!" ( Matthew 7:23 ). He is said to know those whom... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 25:2-4

And five of them were wise - . The words “wise and foolish,” here, refer only to their conduct; in regard to the oil. The one part was “wise” in taking oil, the other “foolish” in neglecting it. The conduct of those who were “wise” refers to those who are “prepared” for the coming of Christ - prepared by possessing real piety, and not being merely his professed followers. The conduct of those “without” oil expresses the conduct of those who profess to love him, but are destitute of true grace,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 25:5

The bridegroom tarried - That is, while they waited for him. It was uncertain at what time he would come. He delayed longer than they expected.All slumbered and slept - Waiting until near midnight, they fell into repose. This circumstance is not to be pressed to prove that all Christians will be asleep, or cold and careless, when the Lord Jesus shall come. “Many” may be so, but many, also, will be looking for his coming. This circumstance is designed simply to show more clearly the “duty of... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 25:2-4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 25:5

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