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Matthew 25

Matt. 25:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
Then
tote (Greek #5119)
the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
KJV usage: that time, then.
Pronounce: tot'-eh
Origin: from (the neuter of) 3588 and 3753
shall the kingdom
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
basileia (Greek #932)
properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: kingdom, + reign.
Pronounce: bas-il-i'-ah
Origin: from 935
of heaven
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
ouranos (Greek #3772)
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity)
KJV usage: air, heaven(-ly), sky.
Pronounce: oo-ran-os'
Origin: perhaps from the same as 3735 (through the idea of elevation)
be likened
homoioo (Greek #3666)
to assimilate, i.e. compare; passively, to become similar
KJV usage: be (make) like, (in the) liken(-ess), resemble.
Pronounce: hom-oy-o'-o
Origin: from 3664
unto
parthenos (Greek #3933)
a maiden; by implication, an unmarried daughter
KJV usage: virgin.
Pronounce: par-then'-os
Origin: of unknown origin
ten
deka (Greek #1176)
ten
KJV usage: (eight-)een, ten.
Pronounce: dek'-ah
Origin: a primary number
virgins
parthenos (Greek #3933)
a maiden; by implication, an unmarried daughter
KJV usage: virgin.
Pronounce: par-then'-os
Origin: of unknown origin
a, which
hostis (Greek #3748)
which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same
KJV usage: X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare 3754.
Pronounce: hos'-tis
Origin: ἥτις (hay'-tis), and the neuter ὅτι (hot'-ee) from 3739 and 5100
took
lambano (Greek #2983)
to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas 1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while 138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
KJV usage: accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).
Pronounce: lam-ban'-o
Origin: a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses
their
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
lamps
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
lampas (Greek #2985)
a "lamp" or flambeau
KJV usage: lamp, light, torch.
Pronounce: lam-pas'
Origin: from 2989
, and went
exerchomai (Greek #1831)
to issue (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.
Pronounce: ex-er'-khom-ahee
Origin: from 1537 and 2064
forth
eis (Greek #1519)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV usage: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Pronounce: ice
Origin: a primary preposition
to meet
apantesis (Greek #529)
a (friendly) encounter
KJV usage: meet.
Pronounce: ap-an'-tay-sis
Origin: from 528
the bridegroom
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
numphios (Greek #3566)
a bride-groom (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: bridegroom.
Pronounce: noom-fee'-os
Origin: from 3565
c.
a
Psa. 45:14• 14In embroidered work of many colours is she brought unto the king;{HR}The virgins after her, her companions, are brought to thee. (Psa. 45:14)
;
Song of Sol. 6:8‑9• 8There are threescore queens and fourscore concubines,{HR}And virgins without number.
 9My dove, mine undefiled, is one;{HR}She [is] the only one of her mother,{HR}She [is] the choice one of her that bare her.{HR}The daughters saw her and called her blessed;{HR}The queens and the concubines, and they praised her. (Song of Sol. 6:8‑9)
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2 Cor. 11:2• 2For I am jealous as to you with a jealousy of God; for I betrothed you to one husband to present a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Cor. 11:2)
c
John 3:29• 29He that hath the bride is [the] bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom that standeth and heareth him rejoiceth with joy because of the voice of the bridegroom: this my joy then is fulfilled. (John 3:29)

More on:

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Bridegroom,
Heaven,
Kingdom; Kingdom of God; Kingdom of Heaven,
Ten,
Virgin; Virginity

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-13:  The parable of the ten virgins,
14-30:  and of the talents.
31-46:  Also the description of the last judgment.
Then.
Matt. 24:42‑51• 42Watch therefore, for ye know not on what day your Lord doth come.
 43But know this, that if the house-master had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be digged through.
 44Therefore, be ye also ready, for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
 45Who then is the faithful and prudent bondman whom his lord set over his household, to give them their food in due season?
 46Blessed [is] that bondman whom his lord on coming shall find so doing.
 47Verily I say to you, that he will set him over all that he hath.
 48But if that evil bondman shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth;
 49and shall begin to beat his fellow-bondmen, and shall eat and drink with the drunken,
 50the lord of that bondman shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour that he knoweth not,
 51and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. (Matt. 24:42‑51)
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Luke 21:34‑36• 34But take heed to yourselves lest possibly your hearts be weighed down with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of life, and that day come upon you suddenly unawares,
 35for as a snare it will come upon all that are settled down upon the face of the whole earth.
 36But watch, at every season praying that ye may be deemed worthy to escape all these things that are about to come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:34‑36)
the kingdom.
Matt. 3:2• 2and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn nigh. (Matt. 3:2)
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Matt. 13:24,31,38,44‑45,47• 24Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of the heavens has become like a man sowing good seed in his field;
 31Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of the heavens is like a grain of mustard [seed] which a man took and sowed in his field;
 38and the field is the world; and the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom, but the darnel are the sons of the evil [one];
 44Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid, and for the joy of it goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth the field.
 45Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a man of merchandise seeking goodly pearls;
 47Again, the kingdom of the heavens is like a dragnet cast into the sea and having brought together of every sort; (Matt. 13:24,31,38,44‑45,47)
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Matt. 20:1• 1For the kingdom of the heavens is like a householder which went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard; (Matt. 20:1)
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Matt. 22:2• 2The kingdom of the heavens is likened to a king which made a marriage-feast for his son, (Matt. 22:2)
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Dan. 2:44• 44And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (Dan. 2:44)
ten.
Psa. 45:14• 14In embroidered work of many colours is she brought unto the king;{HR}The virgins after her, her companions, are brought to thee. (Psa. 45:14)
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Song of Sol. 1:3• 3Thine ointments have sweet fragrance;{HR}Thy name [is] ointment poured forth:{HR}Therefore do the virgins love thee. (Song of Sol. 1:3)
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Song of Sol. 5:8,16• 8I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem,{HR}If ye find my beloved,{HR}That ye tell him, that I am sick of love.
 16His mouth [is] most sweet;{HR}Yea he [is] altogether lovely.{HR}This [is] my beloved, yea this [is] my friend,{HR}O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song of Sol. 5:8,16)
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Song of Sol. 6:1,8‑9• 1Whither is thy beloved gone,{HR}Thou fairest among women?{HR}Whither hath thy beloved turned,{HR}And we will seek him with thee?
 8There are threescore queens and fourscore concubines,{HR}And virgins without number.
 9My dove, mine undefiled, is one;{HR}She [is] the only one of her mother,{HR}She [is] the choice one of her that bare her.{HR}The daughters saw her and called her blessed;{HR}The queens and the concubines, and they praised her. (Song of Sol. 6:1,8‑9)
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1 Cor. 11:2• 2Now I praise you that in all things ye remember me, and hold fast the traditions according as I delivered [them] to you. (1 Cor. 11:2)
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Rev. 14:4• 4These are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins. These [are] they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were bought from among men, firstfruits to God and to the Lamb: (Rev. 14:4)
which.
Matt. 5:16• 16Thus let your light shine before men, that they may see your comely works, and glorify your Father that is in the heavens. (Matt. 5:16)
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Luke 12:35‑36• 35Let your loins be girded about, and lamps burning;
 36and ye like men who wait for their lord, whenever he may leave the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. (Luke 12:35‑36)
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Phil. 2:15‑16• 15that ye may be blameless and sincere, irreproachable children of God amidst a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye shine as lights in [the] world,
 16holding forth [the] word of life, for a boast to me in Christ's day, that not in vain I ran nor in vain laboured. (Phil. 2:15‑16)
went.
2 Tim. 4:8• 8henceforth is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me in that day; and not to me only, but also to all those that love his appearing. (2 Tim. 4:8)
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Titus 2:13• 13looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)
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2 Peter 1:13‑15• 13And I deem [it] right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in mind,
 14knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle is speedy, according as our Lord Jesus Christ manifested to me,
 15and I will be diligent also that at every time ye may have [it] after my departure to call to mind these things. (2 Peter 1:13‑15)
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2 Peter 3:12‑13• 12waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, by reason of which [day] heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and elements in fervent heat shall melt?
 13But according to his promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:12‑13)
the bridegroom.
Matt. 9:15• 15And Jesus said to them, Can the sons of the bridechamber mourn so long as the bridegroom is with them? But days will come when the bridegroom will have been taken away from them, and then they will fast. (Matt. 9:15)
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Matt. 22:2• 2The kingdom of the heavens is likened to a king which made a marriage-feast for his son, (Matt. 22:2)
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Psa. 45:9‑11• 9Daughters of kings [are] among thine honourable women;{HR}At thy right hand hath stood the queen in fine gold of Ophir.
 10Hear, Ο daughter, and see, and incline thine ear,{HR}And forget thy people and thy father's house.
 11And the king greatly desireth thy beauty;{HR}For he [is] thy lord; and bow down thyself to him. (Psa. 45:9‑11)
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Isa. 54:5• 5For thy Maker [is] thy husband: Jehovah of hosts [is] His name, and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called. (Isa. 54:5)
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Isa. 62:4‑5• 4Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken, neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah; for Jehovah delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.
 5For [as] a young man marrieth a virgin, shall thy sons marry thee; and with the joy of the bridegroom over the bride shall thy God rejoice over thee. (Isa. 62:4‑5)
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Mark 2:19‑20• 19And Jesus said to them, Can the sons of the bridechamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
 20But days will come when the bridegroom shall have been taken away from them, and then shall they fast in that day . (Mark 2:19‑20)
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Luke 5:34‑35• 34And he said to them, Can ye make the sons of the bridechamber fast while the bridegroom is with them?
 35But days will come when also the bridegroom will have been taken away from them, then shall they fast in those days. (Luke 5:34‑35)
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John 3:29• 29He that hath the bride is [the] bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom that standeth and heareth him rejoiceth with joy because of the voice of the bridegroom: this my joy then is fulfilled. (John 3:29)
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2 Cor. 11:2• 2For I am jealous as to you with a jealousy of God; for I betrothed you to one husband to present a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Cor. 11:2)
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Eph. 5:25‑33• 25Husbands, love your own wives, even as the Christ also loved the assembly and gave himself up for it,
 26that he might sanctify it, having cleansed [it] by the washing of water in [the] word,
 27that he might himself present to himself the assembly glorious, not having spot or wrinkle, or any of such things; but that it should be holy and blameless.
 28Thus ought husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies: he that loveth his own wife loveth himself,
 29for no one ever hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Christ also the assembly:
 30for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
 31Because of this shall a man leave father and mother and shall be closely joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
 32This mystery is great; but I speak as to Christ and as to the assembly.
 33Nevertheless, ye also every one, let each so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife fear the husband. (Eph. 5:25‑33)
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Rev. 19:7• 7Let us be glad and rejoice and give the glory to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Rev. 19:7)
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Rev. 21:2,9• 2And the holy city, new Jerusalem, I saw coming down out of the heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
 9And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Rev. 21:2,9)
• The kingdom of heaven here implies a certain economy at a given point of time. (“Remarks on Matthew 25” by W. Kelly)
• "Their lamps" set forth the light of profession. They were witnesses for the Lord, and their calling was to meet the Savior. That was to be the attitude of the Christian from the first, going forth to meet the Bridegroom. (“Remarks on Matthew 25” by W. Kelly)
• Some of the early believers were Jews, and some were Gentiles; but they abandoned for Christ their previous connections, their position in the world, and all that they hitherto valued. They had a new object. (“Remarks on Matthew 25” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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Then shall the kingdom of the heavens be made like to ten virgins thatb having taken their torchesc, went forth to meet the bridegroom.

JND Translation Notes

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b
"Who were such as."
c
Torches that were fed with oil.

W. Kelly Translation

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1
Thena shall the kingdom of the heavens be likened to ten virgins, the which took their torches and went forth to meet the bridegroomb.

WK Translation Notes

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a
Or, "Then shall the kingdom of the heavens be made like to ten virgins, such as, having taken their torches, went forth to meet the bridegroom."
b
A few MSS. add "and the bride." Notwithstanding, the vast mass of the best MSS. is adverse. As to the sense, it seems plain that the bridegroom is represented as coming to the home of his bride. Not, however, she, but the marriage retinue is the object of the Spirit here. Had a bride been named, it would have detracted from the perfect finish of the parable and brought in confusion, as Christians real or in name are meant by the ten who go forth to meet the Lord.