The parable of the ten virgins, recorded in Matthew 25:1-13, is a powerful and instructive lesson on the importance of being prepared for Christ’s second coming. This parable reminds us that we must be vigilant and ready for the Lord’s return, because He will come at an unexpected time. In this Bible study, we will explore each verse of this parable and analyze the spiritual and practical implications for our lives.
Context and Overview
Before delving into the parable, it’s important to understand the context in which Jesus shared it. He was answering a question asked by the disciples: “Tell us when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3). Jesus then begins to describe the events that will precede his second coming, emphasizing the need to be prepared and vigilant.
It is in this context that Jesus shares the parable of the “trimming of the lamps”. He says, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom” (Matthew 25:1). The virgins mentioned in the parable are divided into two categories: five of them are wise and five are foolish. The wise take extra oil for their lamps, while the foolish do not.
Verse 1: “Then the kingdom of heaven will be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”
The parable begins with a scene of ten virgins going out to meet the bridegroom. These virgins represent the people of God, believers who are waiting for the coming of Christ. They are carrying lamps, which symbolize the light of truth and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. As they go out to meet the bridegroom, they demonstrate their expectation and readiness for the Lord’s arrival.
This image of going out to meet the bridegroom is also mentioned in other biblical passages, such as Revelation 19:7-9 , which speaks of the marriage of the Lamb. In this context, the Church, represented by the virgins, is presented as the bride of Christ. This parable highlights the importance of being prepared and vigilant for the glorious moment of meeting the bridegroom, who is Jesus Christ.
Verses 2-4: “Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish ones, taking their lamps, did not take oil with them. However, the wise ones, in addition to the lamps, took oil in their vessels.”
In these verses, Jesus describes the division of the ten virgins into two categories: five foolish and five wise. The foolish virgins did not take extra oil with them, while the wise ones took oil in vessels in addition to their lamps. Olive oil represents spiritual life, the oil of the Holy Spirit that is essential to keep our lamps burning.
This distinction between foolish and wise virgins leads us to reflect on the importance of a solid and constant spiritual life. The foolish virgins neglected the need for extra oil, which indicates a lack of preparation and spiritual commitment. In contrast, the wise virgins understood the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit, seeking intimate fellowship with God, and keeping themselves in constant spiritual renewal.
We can find a connection to this theme in Ephesians 5:18, which exhorts us to “be filled with the Spirit” and in Romans 12:11, which encourages us “not to be slothful in zeal, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” These verses highlight the need for an active spiritual life fueled by the Holy Spirit.
The wise virgins are an example of readiness and wisdom. They take extra oil for their lamps, ensuring they will have enough light to meet the bridegroom. The oil here can be interpreted as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a vibrant spiritual life. These virgins understand the importance of being prepared, as they know that the bridegroom could arrive at any moment.
Like the wise virgins, we are called to pursue an active spiritual life and be filled with the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul exhorts us, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). We must seek an intimate communion with God, cultivating a life of prayer, meditation on the Word and obedience to his commandments. This will help us to be prepared and vigilant, ready to meet our heavenly Bridegroom.
Verses 5-6: “While the bridegroom delayed, they all fell asleep and fell asleep. But at midnight a cry was heard: Behold the bridegroom! I went out to meet him!”
In these verses, Jesus portrays a scenario in which both foolish and wise virgins fall asleep while waiting for the bridegroom. It reminds us that waiting for Christ’s return can be a long and sometimes tiring journey. However, even while waiting, we need to be ready and alert, because the groom will come at an unexpected time.
The phrase “at midnight there was a cry” indicates that the coming of the bridegroom will be a sudden and surprising event. This cry is a call for the virgins to go out to meet the bridegroom. This is a powerful image that shows us the importance of being prepared and vigilant, even when Christ’s coming seems to be delayed.
In several biblical passages, we are encouraged to be vigilant and ready for the Lord’s return. In Matthew 24:44 , Jesus tells us: “Therefore, be ye also aware; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you think not”. This is a call to vigilance and to be prepared at all times, for we do not know the day or hour when the Lord will return.
Verses 7-9: “Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered: No, so that we and you do not lack! Go rather to those who sell it and buy it.”
In this part of the parable, we see that, after the outcry announcing the bridegroom’s arrival, all the virgins get up and begin trimming their lamps. However, the foolish virgins see that their lamps are going out, and they borrow oil from the wise virgins. However, the wise virgins refuse to share the oil, as they know that it is necessary to have enough reserve for themselves.
This part of the parable teaches us that personal preparation cannot be shared. Each person is responsible for their own spiritual life and cannot depend on someone else’s faith and relationship with God. We are encouraged to seek a personal relationship with Christ and to keep our lamp burning, that is, to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
In Philippians 2:12, Paul writes, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (NVT). This indicates that salvation is a personal matter and requires our individual efforts. The parable of the ten virgins reminds us that each of us must seek an active spiritual life, seek the oil (the Holy Spirit) on our own and be prepared for the Lord’s coming.
Verses 10-12: “And as they went to buy him, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the wedding; and the door was closed. Later, the other virgins also arrived, saying: Lord, Lord, open the door for us! But he answered, Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”
These verses picture the bridegroom arriving while the foolish virgins are away trying to buy oil. The wise virgins who were prepared go in with the bridegroom to the wedding, and the door is closed. When the foolish virgins return and ask to be let in, the bridegroom replies that he doesn’t know them.
This part of the parable emphasizes the urgency of being prepared and ready when the Lord returns. The closed door represents the end of the opportunity for salvation and communion with God. Those who are not prepared and vigilant will be excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven.
In Matthew 7:21-23 , Jesus warns: “Not everyone who says to me: Lord, Lord! will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many, on that day, will say to me: Lord, Lord! Have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name wrought many miracles? So I will tell you explicitly: I never knew you. Depart from me, you workers of iniquity.” This passage reinforces the importance of not only professing our faith, but also living according to God’s will.
Verse 13: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
The final verse of the parable summarizes its main message: the importance of constant vigilance. Jesus instructs us to watch, because we don’t know when He will return. This call to vigilance is repeated over and over in Scripture and serves as a constant reminder to be ready and prepared at all times.
In Matthew 24:42 , Jesus says , “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” In 1 Peter 5:8, the apostle Peter writes: “Be sober-minded and watchful. The devil, your adversary, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” These verses highlight the importance of being vigilant not only regarding Christ’s return, but also against the onslaughts of the spiritual enemy.
Conclusion
The parable of the ten virgins teaches us the importance of being prepared and vigilant for the second coming of Christ. We should pursue an active spiritual life, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and keep our lamps burning. This parable reminds us that Christ’s coming will be sudden and unexpected, and those who are not prepared will be excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven.
Therefore, let us be like the wise virgins, who are ready and vigilant, awaiting the coming of the bridegroom. Let us not neglect our spiritual life, but seek intimate communion with God, constantly renewing our relationship with Him. Let us be alert and prepared, living according to God’s will, so that when the bridegroom arrives, we can go in with Him to the wedding.
