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The Ten Virgins

Ten young women wait for a bridegroom who is late. Five brought extra oil; five did not. When he comes at midnight, only the ready go in.

Read Matthew 25:1–13 in the reader

Awaiting theological review

Before you read

Who Jesus was speaking to

Scripture

In his last days in Jerusalem, Jesus speaks to his disciples on the Mount of Olivet about the end of time and his coming (Matthew 24–25). Three parables close the discourse: the virgins, the talents and the Last Judgement.

Matthew 25:1–13

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition · Public Domain

Five foolish, five wise1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. 2And five of them were foolish, and five wise. 3But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. 5And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. At midnight6And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. 9The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. The door was shut10Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. 11But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. 13Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.

Waiting for the bridegroom

The wise, the foolish and the bridegroom

Took oil in their vessels

The five wise

They also fell asleep, but they had prepared for a long wait.

  1. 25:4 — The wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps

Interpretation

All ten slept; the difference is not who stayed awake but who was prepared. Their refusal to share sounds harsh, but the point is that some things cannot be borrowed at the last minute — faith, love, a life lived.

Think about it

What is the oil you need to keep for the long wait?

Our lamps are gone out

The five foolish

They came with lamps but no reserve, and the door was shut while they were away.

  1. 25:8 — Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out
  2. 25:11–12 — Lord, Lord, open to us… I know you not

Interpretation

They call him Lord, Lord, but it is too late. Jesus had warned earlier that not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom (Matthew 7:21).

Think about it

Are you putting off something for later that cannot wait?

Behold the bridegroom cometh

The bridegroom

He is delayed, and comes at an unexpected hour.

  1. 25:6 — At midnight there was a cry made

Scripture

Jesus calls himself the bridegroom (Matthew 9:15). The parable ends with its lesson: “Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.”

Think about it

If he came tonight, would you be glad?

What first hearers would have noticed

Context

A wedding at night

History & scholarship

Weddings could last several days. The bridegroom came, often in the evening, to bring his bride home, and friends went out with lamps or torches to escort the procession. Delays were not unusual.

History & scholarship

The Latin Vulgate, followed by the Douay-Rheims and Figueiredo, says they went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride; many Greek manuscripts mention only the bridegroom.

Look closer

Symbols

OilMatthew 25:4

Tradition & devotion

Many Fathers read the oil as charity and good works, which keep faith burning.
The shut doorMatthew 25:10

Interpretation

A sober image: there is a moment when the time for preparing is over. The parable is told so that it is not over yet.

Remember

Quiz me

Question 1 of 3beginner

How many of the virgins were wise?

The next question

The talents: the next parableWhat will happen at the end of time?The wedding banquetWatch and pray