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Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable Of The Ten
Virgins
Setting In Jerusalem during Jesus’ last week
Most likely, late Tuesday afternoon or early Tuesday evening
Jesus has finished His public ministry His last words = a lament for
Jerusalem’s destruction Mt 23:37-39
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
Setting In Jerusalem during Jesus’ last week
His comments in Mt 24-25 were spoken privately to the disciples
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to
10 virgins participating in a marriage They are like modern-day “bridesmaids” The 1st century wedding…
A betrothal period just as “binding” as the actual marriage Mt 1:18-19
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to
10 virgins participating in a marriage The 1st century wedding…
The bridegroom would first rejoice with his friends when time to consummate the marriage Mt 9:15 Jn 3:29
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to
10 virgins participating in a marriage The 1st century wedding…
Afterwards, the bridegroom would proceed to the bride’s house to get his wife and take her to the marriage feast
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to
10 virgins participating in a marriage The 1st century wedding…
Some historians indicate ancient oriental weddings took place at night…thus, bride’s maidens (“virgins”) carried lamps
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to
10 virgins participating in a marriage The 1st century wedding…
The maidens would light the way for the bridegroom to the bride’s house…also light the way to the marriage feast
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable The 10 virgins are in 2 groups vv. 2-4
Five are “foolish” they have lamps, but no spare oil
Five are “wise” they have lamps, but also spare oil
(prudent)
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable The bridegroom is delayed v. 5a
An “unplanned” occurrence The 10 virgins become sleepy v. 5b Unexpectedly, the shout… v. 6
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
“Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.”
The Parable The virgins awake, trim their lamps v. 7 The 5 “foolish” virgins now realize they
do not have enough oil v. 8a
IMPORTANT POINT
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
There will come a point in time when we see we have failed to prepare…but it’s too late!!
The Parable The 5 “foolish” virgins’ solution…ask
the 5 “wise” virgins for some oil v. 8b A “failed solution” v. 9
If the 5 “wise” virgins lent some of their oil, they would not have enough, either
The 5 “foolish” needed to buy their own
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable Some have judged the 5 “wise” virgins
as being “stingy” or “selfish” Each one bears his own responsibility The virgins’ “role” necessitated each one
having enough oil Some things in life cannot be “borrowed”
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable Some things cannot be “borrowed”
Faith, character, obedience Judgment will be individual 2 Cor 5:10 While faith does & should begin in our
parents, it must eventually become our own 2 Tim 1:5
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable Some things cannot be “borrowed”
Spiritual character traits need to be in each one of us “…an abound”
We all need to “…make our calling and election sure” 2 Pet 1:5-11
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable The “inevitable truth” v. 10
No matter the delay, the “bridegroom” will eventually come…unexpectedly
This is the point Jesus was making in His discourse re: Jerusalem’s destructionMt 24:36-39, 42, 44
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable The “finality” of the marriage feast is
also emphasized v. 10 While away buying what should have
already been possessed, the 5 “foolish” virgins found the door “shut” (locked)
Only those who were “ready” got in
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable The 5 “foolish” virgins return vv. 11-12
They attempt to enter the marriage feast Their request to enter is denied...the lord
of the feast said “I do not know you” A fearful reality…we only have 1 chance
to get ready for eternity Heb 9:27
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Parable The final exhortation v. 13
“Be on the alert, for you do not know the day nor the hour”
Preparation is necessary…the coming of the Lord will happen “…like a thief in the night” 2 Pet 3:10-18
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Application The 5 “foolish” virgins were guilty of the
sin of presumption They presumed the bridegroom would
come by a certain time…the amount of oil they had reflected this thinking
They never considered he might delay
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Application The 5 “wise” virgins were just as
unaware of the bridegroom’s delay However, their preparations made them
“ready” for whenever he arrived…no matter the delay
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
The Lesson Am I ready for Christ’s arrival?
Whenever He comes One cannot neglect proper preparations One cannot “borrow” what must be
“bought” One cannot recall lost opportunities
The Ten VirginsMatt 25:1-13
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