Matthew 25:

Parable of the 10 Virgins 

Jesus relates the Parable of the 10 Virgins;

“…the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” (Matthew 25:1-4)

While the bridegroom [Jesus] was approaching, the ten virgins slept. At midnight there was a loud cry made, that the bridegroom would shortly be arriving. Upon hearing this news, the ten virgins awoke and prepared for their journey to accompany Jesus. They prepared by getting their lamps ready, but those who were foolish finally realized that they did not have enough oil for their journeys and turned to those who had planned a head, saying; “…Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered… Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you…” (Matthew 25:8-9) The wise virgins suggest that those who did not bring ample oil, leave to go and buy the oil. But while there were out buying the oil; “…the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” (Matthew 25:10) When the foolish virgins finally got enough oil and made it to the marriage, they knocked on the door, and said; “…Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” (Matthew 25:11-12) 

                  This Parable teaches us that we do not know when the Lord will come, and that we need to be ready at all times. We need to prepare ourselves in the last days for the arrival of the bridegroom [Jesus Christ], we need to be like the wise virgins. We need to stay clean, following all of God’s commandments. We need to be self-reliant and ensure that we have enough savings, enough food storage, etc. This will help us get through the storms that await us in life.

                  Jesus relates the Parable of Talents;

“…the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods… unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability…” (Matthew 25:14-15)

After the man had given his talents to his three servants, he departed for a time. While the man was gone the servants took their talents and did with them as they pleased.

• The servant, who was given one talent, took his talent and buried it into the earth.
• The servant, who was given two talents, took his talents and made two more talents.
• The servant, who was given five talents, took his talents and made five more talents.

When the man returned from his journey he asked the servants what they had done with their talents. The first explained that he had made five talents, with the five that the master had given him. He now had 10 talents, the response from the master? “…Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the lord.” (Matthew 25:21) The other servant, who had made two talents off of the two he had been given, was also given the same praise.

But, the servant who buried his talent, explained to the master that he “…was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth… His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant… Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have an abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath…” (Matthew 25:26,28-29)

Jesus ends his speaking in this chapter, by saying;

“…Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)

We need to treat each other with respect and kindness. We need to help the needy, and feed the hungry, just as we would if Jesus himself was in our presence.