Matthew25
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
3For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them:
4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.
9But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.
14For it is as when a man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey.
16Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents.
17In like manner he also that received the two gained other two.
18But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
19Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them.
20And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents.
21His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22And he also that received the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents.
23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter;
25and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own.
26But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter;
27thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest.
28Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents.
29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away.
30And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
31But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory:
32and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats;
33and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;
36naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink?
38And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39And when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.
41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:
42for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;
43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44Then shall they also answer, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me.
46And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 25.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The parable of the ten virgins. (1–13). The parable of the talents. (14–30). The judgment. (31–46).
vv1-13
The circumstances of the parable of the ten virgins were taken from the marriage customs among the Jews, and explain the great day of Christ's coming. See the nature of Christianity. As Christians we profess to attend upon Christ, to honour him, also to be waiting for his coming. Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolish ones. Those are the truly wise or foolish that are so in the affairs of their souls. Many have a lamp of profession in their hands, but have not, in their hearts, sound knowledge and settled resolution, which are needed to carry them through the services and trials of the present state. Their hearts are not stored with holy dispositions, by the new-creating Spirit of God. Our light must shine before men in good works; but this is not likely to be long done, unless there is a fixed, active principle in the heart, of faith in Christ, and love to God and our brethren. They all slumbered and slept. The delay represents the space between the real or apparent conversion of these professors, and the coming of Christ, to take them away by death, or to judge the world. But though Christ tarry past our time, he will not tarry past the due time. The wise virgins kept their lamps burning, but they did not keep themselves awake. Too many real Christians grow remiss, and one degree of carelessness makes way for another. Those that allow themselves to slumber, will scarcely keep from sleeping; therefore dread the beginning of spiritual decays. A startling summons was given. Go ye forth to meet Him, is a call to those prepared. The notice of Christ's approach, and the call to meet him, will awaken. Even those best prepared for death have work to do to get actually ready, 2Pe 3:14. It will be a day of search and inquiry; and it concerns us to think how we shall then be found. Some wanted oil to supply their lamps when going out. Those that take up short of true grace, will certainly find the want of it one time or other. An outward profession may light a man along this world, but the damps of the valley of the shadow of death will put out such a light. Those who care not to live the life, yet would die the death of the righteous. But those that would be saved, must have grace of their own; and those that have most grace, have none to spare. The best need more from Christ. And while the poor alarmed soul addresses itself, upon a sick-bed, to repentance and prayer, in awful confusion, death comes, judgment comes, the work is undone, and the poor sinner is undone for ever. This comes of having oil to buy when we should burn it, grace to get when we should use it. Those, and those only, shall go to heaven hereafter, that are made ready for heaven here. The suddenness of death and of Christ's coming to us then, will not hinder our happiness, if we have been prepared. The door was shut. Many will seek admission into heaven when it is too late. The vain confidence of hypocrites will carry them far in expectations of happiness. The unexpected summons of death may alarm the Christian; but, proceeding without delay to trim his lamp, his graces often shine more bright; while the mere professor's conduct shows that his lamp is going out. Watch therefore, attend to the business of your souls. Be in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
vv14-30
Christ keeps no servants to be idle: they have received their all from him, and have nothing they can call their own but sin. Our receiving from Christ is in order to our working for him. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. The day of account comes at last. We must all be reckoned with as to what good we have got to our own souls, and have done to others, by the advantages we have enjoyed. It is not meant that the improving of natural powers can entitle a man to Divine grace. It is the real Christian's liberty and privilege to be employed as his Redeemer's servant, in promoting his glory, and the good of his people: the love of Christ constrains him to live no longer to himself, but to Him that died for him, and rose again. Those who think it impossible to please God, and in vain to serve him, will do nothing to purpose in religion. They complain that He requires of them more than they are capable of, and punishes them for what they cannot help. Whatever they may pretend, the fact is, they dislike the character and work of the Lord. The slothful servant is sentenced to be deprived of his talent. This may be applied to the blessings of this life; but rather to the means of grace. Those who know not the day of their visitation, shall have the things that belong to their peace hid from their eyes. His doom is, to be cast into outer darkness. It is a usual way of expressing the miseries of the damned in hell. Here, as in what was said to the faithful servants, our Saviour goes out of the parable into the thing intended by it, and this serves as a key to the whole. Let us not envy sinners, or covet any of their perishing possessions.
vv31-46
This is a description of the last judgment. It is as an explanation of the former parables. There is a judgment to come, in which every man shall be sentenced to a state of everlasting happiness, or misery. Christ shall come, not only in the glory of his Father, but in his own glory, as Mediator. The wicked and godly here dwell together, in the same cities, churches, families, and are not always to be known the one from the other; such are the weaknesses of saints, such the hypocrisies of sinners; and death takes both: but in that day they will be parted for ever. Jesus Christ is the great Shepherd; he will shortly distinguish between those that are his, and those that are not. All other distinctions will be done away; but the great one between saints and sinners, holy and unholy, will remain for ever. The happiness the saints shall possess is very great. It is a kingdom; the most valuable possession on earth; yet this is but a faint resemblance of the blessed state of the saints in heaven. It is a kingdom prepared. The Father provided it for them in the greatness of his wisdom and power; the Son purchased it for them; and the blessed Spirit, in preparing them for the kingdom, is preparing it for them. It is prepared for them: it is in all points adapted to the new nature of a sanctified soul. It is prepared from the foundation of the world. This happiness was for the saints, and they for it, from all eternity. They shall come and inherit it. What we inherit is not got by ourselves. It is God that makes heirs of heaven. We are not to suppose that acts of bounty will entitle to eternal happiness. Good works done for God's sake, through Jesus Christ, are here noticed as marking the character of believers made holy by the Spirit of Christ, and as the effects of grace bestowed on those who do them. The wicked in this world were often called to come to Christ for life and rest, but they turned from his calls; and justly are those bid to depart from Christ, that would not come to him. Condemned sinners will in vain offer excuses. The punishment of the wicked will be an everlasting punishment; their state cannot be altered. Thus life and death, good and evil, the blessing and the curse, are set before us, that we may choose our way, and as our way so shall our end be.
Key Words
τότε (tóte): the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
βασιλεία (basileía): properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
οὐρανός (ouranós): the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity)
ὁμοιόω (homoióō): to assimilate, i.e. compare; passively, to become similar
δέκα (déka): ten
παρθένος (parthénos): a maiden; by implication, an unmarried daughter
ὅστις (hóstis): which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same
λαμβάνω (lambánō): while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove))
ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû): him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.
λαμπάς (lampás): a "lamp" or flambeau
Cross References
Matthew 25Directly parallel parable of a nobleman departing to a far country and delivering assets to servants.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal echo of letting lamps be burning in expectation of the master's return.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallels the dreadful declaration of final rejection: 'I never knew you; depart from me.'
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Parallels the lord's condemnation of the wicked servant out of his own mouth.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Zechariah's gold lampstand supplied with oil symbolizes the Spirit of grace, explaining the oil.
Supported by JFB
Parallel command to be ready because the Son of man comes unexpectedly.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel of the master of the house shutting the door and refusing latecomers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Repeats the vital spiritual law that whoever has will receive more, and the havenot loses all.
Supported by John Calvin
Prophetic background of Yahweh as Shepherd separating the fat cattle from the lean.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Christ identifies with his suffering body: 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?'
Supported by Matthew Henry
The preceding section on watchfulness and the wise/evil servants directly introduces this parable.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrast between the wise who store oil/treasures and the foolish who spend them.
Supported by JFB
The prophetic 'oil of gladness' with which Messiah and His attendants are anointed.
Supported by JFB
Reinforces the 'long time' delay before the lord of those servants returns.
Supported by John Calvin
Exhortation to be diligent to be found of Him in peace, without spot.
Supported by Matthew Henry
God remembers active love shown to His name in ministering to the saints.
Supported by JFB
Parallel reward for the faithful servant: 'be thou ruler over ten cities.'
Supported by Matthew Poole
OT foundation of the dual resurrection: some to everlasting life, some to shame.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Invitation to come and buy wine, milk, and oil without price before it is too late.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel rejection of those calling 'Lord, Lord' but failing to do God's will.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Principle of proportion: to whom much is given, of him much is required.
Supported by John Calvin
Paul's instruction on using differing gifts (talents) according to grace given.
Supported by JFB
Jesus promises that when He sits on His glorious throne, disciples will also judge.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Defines pure religion as visiting orphans and widows, matching Christ's test of faith.
Supported by JFB
Oppressing the poor reproaches the Maker, but showing mercy honors Him.
Supported by JFB
Exhortation to hospitality; some have entertained angels (or Christ) unawares.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Vision of the great white throne judgment and final separation into the lake of fire.
Supported by Matthew Henry