251 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins , who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom . 2 "Five of them were foolish , and five were prudent . 3 "For when the foolish took their lamps , they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps . 5 "Now while the bridegroom was delaying , they all got drowsy and began to sleep . 6 "But at midnight e there was a shout , 'Behold , the bridegroom ! Come out to meet him.' 7 "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps . 8 "The foolish said to the prudent , 'Give us some of your oil , for our lamps are going out.' 9 "But the prudent answered , 'No , there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves .' 10 "And while they were going away to make the purchase , the bridegroom came , and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast ; and the door was shut . 11 "Later the other virgins also came , saying , ' Lord , lord , open up for us.' 12 "But he answered , 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 " Be on the alert then , for you do not know the day nor the hour .
14 " For it is just like a man about to go on a journey , who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 "To one he gave five talents , to another e , two , and to another e , one , each according to his own ability ; and he went on his journey . 16 "Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 "In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more . 18 "But he who received the one talent went away , and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money . 19 "Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 "The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents , saying , 'Master , you entrusted five talents to me. See , I have gained five more talents .' 21 "His master said to him, 'Well done , good and faithful slave . You were faithful with a few things , I will put you in charge of many things ; enter into the joy of your master .' 22 "Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said , 'Master , you entrusted two talents to me. See , I have gained two more talents .' 23 "His master said to him, 'Well done , good and faithful slave . You were faithful with a few things , I will put you in charge of many things ; enter into the joy of your master .' 24 "And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said , 'Master , I knew you to be a hard man , reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 'And I was afraid , and went away and hid your talent in the ground . See , you have what is yours .' 26 "But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked , lazy slave , you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27 'Then you ought to have put my money in the bank , and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest . 28 'Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents .' 29 " For to everyone who has , more shall be given , and he will have an abundance ; but from the one who does not have , even what he does have shall be taken away . 30 "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness ; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 25:1-30
Commentary on Matthew 25:1-13
(Read Matthew 25:1-13)
The circumstances of the parable of the ten virgins were taken from the marriage customs among the Jews, and explain the great day of Christ's coming. See the nature of Christianity. As Christians we profess to attend upon Christ, to honour him, also to be waiting for his coming. Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolish ones. Those are the truly wise or foolish that are so in the affairs of their souls. Many have a lamp of profession in their hands, but have not, in their hearts, sound knowledge and settled resolution, which are needed to carry them through the services and trials of the present state. Their hearts are not stored with holy dispositions, by the new-creating Spirit of God. Our light must shine before men in good works; but this is not likely to be long done, unless there is a fixed, active principle in the heart, of faith in Christ, and love to God and our brethren. They all slumbered and slept. The delay represents the space between the real or apparent conversion of these professors, and the coming of Christ, to take them away by death, or to judge the world. But though Christ tarry past our time, he will not tarry past the due time. The wise virgins kept their lamps burning, but they did not keep themselves awake. Too many real Christians grow remiss, and one degree of carelessness makes way for another. Those that allow themselves to slumber, will scarcely keep from sleeping; therefore dread the beginning of spiritual decays. A startling summons was given. Go ye forth to meet Him, is a call to those prepared. The notice of Christ's approach, and the call to meet him, will awaken. Even those best prepared for death have work to do to get actually ready, 2 Peter 3:14. It will be a day of search and inquiry; and it concerns us to think how we shall then be found. Some wanted oil to supply their lamps when going out. Those that take up short of true grace, will certainly find the want of it one time or other. An outward profession may light a man along this world, but the damps of the valley of the shadow of death will put out such a light. Those who care not to live the life, yet would die the death of the righteous. But those that would be saved, must have grace of their own; and those that have most grace, have none to spare. The best need more from Christ. And while the poor alarmed soul addresses itself, upon a sick-bed, to repentance and prayer, in awful confusion, death comes, judgment comes, the work is undone, and the poor sinner is undone for ever. This comes of having oil to buy when we should burn it, grace to get when we should use it. Those, and those only, shall go to heaven hereafter, that are made ready for heaven here. The suddenness of death and of Christ's coming to us then, will not hinder our happiness, if we have been prepared. The door was shut. Many will seek admission into heaven when it is too late. The vain confidence of hypocrites will carry them far in expectations of happiness. The unexpected summons of death may alarm the Christian; but, proceeding without delay to trim his lamp, his graces often shine more bright; while the mere professor's conduct shows that his lamp is going out. Watch therefore, attend to the business of your souls. Be in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
Commentary on Matthew 25:14-30
(Read Matthew 25:14-30)
Christ keeps no servants to be idle: they have received their all from him, and have nothing they can call their own but sin. Our receiving from Christ is in order to our working for him. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. The day of account comes at last. We must all be reckoned with as to what good we have got to our own souls, and have done to others, by the advantages we have enjoyed. It is not meant that the improving of natural powers can entitle a man to Divine grace. It is the real Christian's liberty and privilege to be employed as his Redeemer's servant, in promoting his glory, and the good of his people: the love of Christ constrains him to live no longer to himself, but to Him that died for him, and rose again. Those who think it impossible to please God, and in vain to serve him, will do nothing to purpose in religion. They complain that He requires of them more than they are capable of, and punishes them for what they cannot help. Whatever they may pretend, the fact is, they dislike the character and work of the Lord. The slothful servant is sentenced to be deprived of his talent. This may be applied to the blessings of this life; but rather to the means of grace. Those who know not the day of their visitation, shall have the things that belong to their peace hid from their eyes. His doom is, to be cast into outer darkness. It is a usual way of expressing the miseries of the damned in hell. Here, as in what was said to the faithful servants, our Saviour goes out of the parable into the thing intended by it, and this serves as a key to the whole. Let us not envy sinners, or covet any of their perishing possessions.