Matthew 25
1 ¶Then shall the kingdom of
heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to
meet the bridegroom.
Let us make some obvious observations about the parable
a. The phrase "kingdom
of heaven" occurs 33 times in the whole of the Bible; it is used
exclusively in the book of Matthew. Why? The Gospel of Matthew has the Jewish
audience in mind - those who are conscious and pride themselves as members of the
earthly theocratic kingdom of Israel.
b. The parable of the ten
virgins speaks something about the kingdom of heaven:
- It discloses/speaks of a
harsh reality/phenomenon in the kingdom of heaven - there are BOTH wise and foolish virgins
in the kingdom of heaven.
- The term virgin is used to
describe those betrothed to Christ: “For I am jealous over you with godly
jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a
chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Cor 11:2
c. All ten virgins - BOTH
the wise and the foolish - are in the kingdom of heaven.
- Not a few imagine that only the wise are found in the kingdom of heaven!
Similarly, both the good and faithful
servants (v23) and the wicked and slothful (v26) are found in the kingdom of heaven.
- Not a few imagine that only the good and faithful are found in the kingdom of heaven!
Even so, both those who minister to
Christ’s brethren (v40) and those who fail to minister to the same are found in
the kingdom of heaven.
- Not a few imagine
that Christ finds fault with those not found in the kingdom of heaven for not
loving His brethren!
d. ALL of them voluntarily
went forth to wait for the arrival of THEIR groom.
- This shows that they know
their groom; they ALSO know their groom is arriving.
- Too many Christians
imagine that only wise virgins are found in the kingdom of heaven; others also
imagine that the foolish virgins are those who know not the groom nor are loved
by the groom.
- They think such virgins
can go forth to wait for the arrival of the groom.
e. The ten virgins are wise
or foolish concerning their preparedness as they wait for the appearance of
THEIR groom – in context, of Christ’s appearance in 70AD to execute judgment
upon Israel.
- Read Matt 24:29-35.
- wise: phronimos:
intelligent, prudent, mindful of one’s interest, thoughtful of one’s
calling/duties.
- foolish – moros, moron,
dull or stupid, heedless, impious.
f. Some applications/lessons
for us:
- Are we waiting for or
looking forward to our Lord and Saviour’s return? He has gone to glory, but He shall return again. John 14:1-3. Acts 1:10-11.
- Are we like the wise
virgins? Or the foolish ones.
- How do you do to be wise in
this matter?
- What is it to act like the
foolish ones?
Mat 25:13 ¶Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
All three parables were addressed to the disciples when they inquired about the end of Jerusalem at Jesus’ coming to execute judgment upon the earthly theocratic Israel.
The same admonition in found
in Mt 24:42ff.
- See how the servant
becomes careless, “My Lord delayeth his coming”, and based on this imagination,
see how the servant is distracted and becomes wicked.
