Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 25:9

"But 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." — Matthew 25:9 (ASV)

Not so — These words, as the italics indicate, are not in the Greek. They are perhaps necessary to complete the sense in English, but the original text has a tone of regretful tenderness. In it, the wise virgins give the reason that makes compliance with the request impossible, without directly uttering a refusal.

Go ye rather to them that sell — This feature in the parable is too remarkable to be passed over lightly, especially since the “exchangers” in the parable that follows are clearly analogous to some degree. We must then ask who, in the interpretation of the parable and according to the data already ascertained, corresponds to “them that sell.”

The answer is that they are the pastors and teachers of the Church—the stewards of the mysteries of God. Through them, whether as preachers of the divine Word of Wisdom or as administrators of the sacraments which are signs and means of grace, men may, by God’s appointment, obtain the gift and grace they need.

The “buying” and “selling” belong, of course, to the parable only in their literal sense. No gift of God can be purchased with money (Acts 8:20). But the words are not, therefore, meaningless, any more than they are in Matthew 13:44-46 (see the notes on those verses). Men are to buy the truth, which they are not to sell (Proverbs 23:23). They are invited to buy the “wine and milk,” which symbolize God’s spiritual gifts, without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1). The price that God requires is the consecration of their heart (Proverbs 23:26).