Imagine waiting for a grand wedding feast, but the bridegroom is late. In Matthew 25, Jesus tells us a story about ten bridesmaids that highlights the importance of being prepared for life's unexpected moments.
The Reading: Matthew 25
World English Bible1 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.
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2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
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3 Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,
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4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
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5 Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
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6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’
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7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
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8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
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9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
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10 While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
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11 Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’
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12 But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
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13 Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
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14 “For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them.
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15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.
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16 Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
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17 In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.
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18 But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
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19 “Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them.
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20 He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.’
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21 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
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22 “He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.’
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23 “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
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24 “He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter.
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25 I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’
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26 “But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter.
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27 You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.
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28 Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.
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29 For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away.
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30 Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
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31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.
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32 Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
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33 He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
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34 Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
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35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.
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36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’
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37 “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?
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38 When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?
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39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’
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40 “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
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41 Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;
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42 for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;
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43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
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44 “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’
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45 “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’
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46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
What This Chapter Is Really Saying
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
In this vivid story, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom. Five were wise and brought extra oil for their lamps, while five were foolish and didn't think ahead. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all fell asleep. Suddenly, at midnight, a shout rang out announcing the bridegroom's arrival. The wise virgins were ready, but the foolish ones had to rush out to buy oil. By the time they returned, the door to the feast was shut, and they were left outside.
The Parable of the Talents
Next, Jesus tells the story of a man who entrusts his servants with his wealth before going on a journey. He gives five talents to one servant, two to another, and one to the last, according to their abilities. The first two servants invest their talents and double their value, earning praise from their master. However, the third servant, afraid of failing, buries his talent and returns it without any profit. The master is furious, calling him lazy and unproductive. He takes the talent away and gives it to the one who has ten.
The Sheep and the Goats
Finally, Jesus paints a picture of the final judgment, where He will separate people like a shepherd divides sheep and goats. The righteous will be those who fed the hungry, welcomed strangers, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and imprisoned. They'll be surprised, asking when they helped Him. Jesus will reply that whenever they cared for the least of these, they were caring for Him. In contrast, those who failed to act with compassion will face dire consequences.
Why It Matters
Be Prepared
Matthew 25 teaches us the importance of being ready for the unexpected. Life is unpredictable, and just like the wise virgins, we should always prepare ourselves spiritually and practically. This means staying engaged in our faith and ready to respond to God's call, no matter when it comes.
Use Your Gifts
The parable of the talents reminds us that everyone has unique gifts and responsibilities. It's not enough to simply hold onto what we have; we are called to use our abilities to create value and serve others. Whether it's through acts of kindness, sharing resources, or spreading the Gospel, let's aim to multiply our blessings.
Compassion Counts
Jesus emphasizes that how we treat others reflects our relationship with Him. Small acts of kindness and attention to the marginalized are crucial. We can make a difference in our communities, and through Sancta, you can find a church near you that encourages such compassionate acts.
Stay Vigilant
Finally, we're reminded to stay vigilant in our faith. The unexpected arrival of the bridegroom illustrates that we don't know when Jesus will return. Keeping our faith alive and active in our daily lives ensures we're ready when He comes.
Coming Up Next: Matthew 26
In the next part of our journey through the New Testament, Matthew 26 unfolds with the plot against Jesus deepening and the last supper taking place. Get ready for profound moments of betrayal and love.