Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 25

At the time of the return of the Son of Man, this parable will become relevant; the kingdom of heaven will become like the story of the ten virgins.

The setting is fairly clear from what we know of the marriage customs of the day. Normally the bridegroom with some close friends left his home to go to the bride’s home, where there were various ceremonies, followed by a procession through the streets—after nightfall—to his home. The ten virgins may be bridesmaids who have been assisting the bride; and they expect to meet the groom as he comes from the bride’s house. Everyone in the procession was expected to carry his or her own torch. Those without a torch would be assumed to be party crashers or even brigands. The festivities, which could last several days, would formally get under way at the groom’s house.

Jesus refers to ten (a favorite round number; e.g., Ruth 4:2) maidens who were invited to the wedding. The “lamps” are here either small oil-fed lamps or, more plausibly, torches whose rags would need periodic dowsing with oil to keep them burning. In either case the prudent would bring along a flask with an additional oil supply.

The “wise” (GK 5861) are called such because they are prepared for the bridegroom’s delayed coming. Both wise and “foolish” (GK 3704) wait and doze; no praise or blame attaches to either group for this. The sole distinction between the two groups is this: the wise bring not only oil in their lamps but an extra supply in separate jars, while the foolish bring either no extra oil or no oil at all. The wise are prepared for delay; the foolish expect to meet the groom, but are either utterly unprepared or unprepared if he is delayed. And the bridegroom is a long time coming (24:48; 25:19).

The “wise” (GK 5861) are called such because they are prepared for the bridegroom’s delayed coming. Both wise and “foolish” (GK 3704) wait and doze; no praise or blame attaches to either group for this. The sole distinction between the two groups is this: the wise bring not only oil in their lamps but an extra supply in separate jars, while the foolish bring either no extra oil or no oil at all. The wise are prepared for delay; the foolish expect to meet the groom, but are either utterly unprepared or unprepared if he is delayed. And the bridegroom is a long time coming (24:48; 25:19).

The “wise” (GK 5861) are called such because they are prepared for the bridegroom’s delayed coming. Both wise and “foolish” (GK 3704) wait and doze; no praise or blame attaches to either group for this. The sole distinction between the two groups is this: the wise bring not only oil in their lamps but an extra supply in separate jars, while the foolish bring either no extra oil or no oil at all. The wise are prepared for delay; the foolish expect to meet the groom, but are either utterly unprepared or unprepared if he is delayed. And the bridegroom is a long time coming (24:48; 25:19).

The “wise” (GK 5861) are called such because they are prepared for the bridegroom’s delayed coming. Both wise and “foolish” (GK 3704) wait and doze; no praise or blame attaches to either group for this. The sole distinction between the two groups is this: the wise bring not only oil in their lamps but an extra supply in separate jars, while the foolish bring either no extra oil or no oil at all. The wise are prepared for delay; the foolish expect to meet the groom, but are either utterly unprepared or unprepared if he is delayed. And the bridegroom is a long time coming (24:48; 25:19).