Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13

Text: Matthew 25:1-13

Five wise and five foolish virgins were all invited to a wedding feast. The wise virgins brought extra oil for their lamps, whereas the foolish virgins did not.

All slept while waiting for the bridegroom. When they learned the bridegroom was approaching, the foolish virgins found they had run out of oil for their lamps. The wise told them to go in the city and buy some.

While the foolish virgins were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The wise virgins entered the wedding feast, whereas the foolish virgins did not because they were outside the door when it was shut.

There are three main lessons to gain from this parable.

Be prepared!

As there were both wise and foolish virgins invited to the feast, not all were prepared. All persons need to be prepared to do God’s will. Paul illustrates to Timothy that not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and earth are equally important, especially for the master’s use and prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Likewise, we have God’s Word to prepare us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). By careful study, we can be prepared to answer those that ask a reason within us with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15).

The bridegroom gets the bride!

The bride is described as a holy city, new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-2). The church began at Jerusalem and spread throughout the world (Acts 2:5ff; Acts 8:1). The bride is described as the Lamb’s wife (Revelation 21:9).  The bride is also referred to as the saints, often a term used for Christians (Revelation 19:7-9).

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29; Isaiah 53:6-12; 1 Peter 1:19).

Paul told the church at Corinth they were espoused to one husband, presented as chaste virgins to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2).

Be watchful!

The foolish virgins tried to get in saying, “Lord, Lord”  (Matthew 25:11), but the door was shut. Jesus said to watch and pray for we do not know when the Son of Man will return (Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:32-37; 1 Thessalonians 5:6).  Therefore, only those that do the will of God and are ready will enter (Matthew 7:21).