Imagine a wedding night where the excitement is palpable, but only some guests are prepared. In Matthew 25, Jesus shares parables that teach us about being ready for unexpected moments and acting with kindness.
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
The chapter begins with a vivid scene of ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom. Five are wise, bringing extra oil for their lamps, while five are foolish and neglectful. When the bridegroom is delayed, all eventually fall asleep. At midnight, a call goes out that the bridegroom has arrived, and the foolish virgins realize their lamps are going out. They ask the wise ones for oil, but the wise refuse, suggesting they go buy their own. By the time the foolish virgins return, the door is shut, and they are denied entry.
The Parable of the Talents
Next, Jesus tells the story of a man who entrusts his wealth to three servants before going on a journey. He gives five talents to one, two to another, and one to the last, each according to their abilities. The first two servants invest their talents and double them, while the last hides his in the ground, fearing failure. When the master returns, he praises the first two for their efforts but scolds the third servant for his laziness, taking away his talent and giving it to the one who has ten.
The Final Judgment
The chapter culminates in a scene of judgment where the Son of Man separates people like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The righteous are welcomed into the Kingdom for their acts of kindness - feeding the hungry, welcoming strangers, and visiting the sick. In contrast, those on the left are condemned for failing to help those in need, illustrating that how we treat others is ultimately how we treat Him.
Why It Matters
Be Prepared
The parable of the ten virgins emphasizes the importance of being prepared at all times. We often don't know when opportunities or challenges will arise, so it's vital to be ready.
Use Your Gifts Wisely
In the parable of the talents, we learn that our abilities and resources are gifts from God. It's essential to invest them wisely rather than hide them away out of fear. Striving to make the most of what we have is a mark of faithfulness.
Compassion Counts
The final judgment scene highlights the significance of compassion and action. It's not just about belief; it's about how we live out that belief in our everyday interactions. Helping those in need is a direct reflection of our faith.
By embracing these lessons, we can cultivate a life that is both responsible and compassionate. If you're looking for ways to put these teachings into practice, check out find a church near you for fellowship and support in your journey.
Coming Up Next: Matthew 26
In the next part of our journey through Matthew, we'll witness the unfolding drama of Jesus' arrest and the events leading to His crucifixion. Stay tuned for a deep dive into Matthew 26!