The Parable of the Ten Virgins

From: Things Which Must Shortly Come to Pass

Narrator: Ivona Gentwo

Duration: 1min

Matthew 25:1‑13 • 1 min. read • grade level: 7

(Matt. 25:1-13¹Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. ²And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: ⁴But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. ⁶And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. ⁷Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. ⁸And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. ⁹But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. ¹⁰And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. ¹¹Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. ¹²But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. ¹³Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1‑13))

The ten virgins represent the whole mass of professing Christendom, the Kingdom of heaven at the present moment. Five have no oil, mere professors; five have oil in their vessels with their lamps, and are not only professors, but true professors, possessors indeed.

They all, awakened by the midnight cry, go forth to meet the Bridegroom. Only the five wise go in to the marriage. They do not go in as representing the Church, but as true and faithful believers. The marriage, too, is connected with Messiah and Israel, the joy of the Lord in gaining His earthly Bride. The whole parable has an earthly setting, in keeping with the whole teaching as to “the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.