NOTES for Mat 25:1-13
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. |
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. |
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: |
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. |
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. |
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. |
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. |
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. |
9 But 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. |
10 And 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. |
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. |
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. |
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. |
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Both the wise and the foolish virgins had identical lamps, so at first there was no difference between them. But the wise understood that they had to remain ready, and they kept the necessary supply. Hearing their refusal, the foolish virgins must have thought them greedy, and one can imagine how they may have spoken about the wise after finding themselves outside the gate.
Nevertheless, let us not apply to them those norms of relationships that are perfectly acceptable in our daily life but do not belong to the parable, which reveals what the Lord wants from us. After all, He loves each of us personally and uniquely, and if we hope to slip Him someone else's fire instead of the one we kindled and kept in our own heart, what should that be called?
And so those whose lamps were not filled with love proved unworthy to enter the feast.
Readings for 24 May 2025
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