The parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)

We want everything that has to do with this life and our eternal destiny to have a happy ending. In Matthew 24-25, Jesus is describing the end of the world to his disciples in response to their question: "What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?" (Mt. 24:3) He describes signs leading up to His return (war, earthquake, false religion, abounding lawlessness, business as usual), and the scene of His arrival "coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Jesus said that just as no one knew when Noah's flood would occur, there will be no warning before His return, and that we are simply to be ready (v. 44).

Then Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. It doesn't have a happy ending. The bridegroom was delayed, so the five unprepared bridesmaids end up locked out and completely miss the wedding! The groom shouts through the door, "Sorry, I don't know you!" What's going on here? Let's think about it.

Weddings, New Testament-Style

(From Chuck Swindoll, Clearing the High Hurdle of Unpreparedness)

• The groom is central, not the bride.
• The groom's family, possibly even the groom himself, pays for the wedding.
• The marriage process is in 4 stages:
1. Engagement - as children, arranged by the parents
2. Betrothal - at 12-18 yrs old.
• legal and binding
• unfaithfulness during this phase = adultery
• death during this phase = widowhood
• lasts about 12 mo's.
• a permanent, firm, arrangement
3. Ceremony - the groom takes the bride
• marriage is at his or his father's house
• the virgins are bridesmaids / the bride's friends
• The groom came whenever he wanted to. The people never knew the day nor the hour.
  When the door is closed, no one is permitted entry.
4. Honeymoon - a 7-10 day feast w/ riddles, games

Questions to consider:

• Why ten virgins? Why not just two: one wise and one foolish? Ans: This is a big wedding feast. Also, it's easier for a listener to think of herself/himself as one of ten rather than one of two.
• Were they ten separate virgins located in different places, or were they in two groups? Ans: They were all individuals. I've found that God doesn't count by groups, but by ones.
• Why didn't the wise virgins invite the foolish to go with them in the light of their own lamps? Ans: That may be like a modern bridesmaid attempting to participate in the wedding without the matching dress or bouquet.
• Why didn't the foolish try to make their way to the wedding without lamps? Ans: That'd be like a modern bridesmaid traveling by air and making it to the wedding, but her luggage didn't make it.
• Why is it wise to have extra oil? Ans: Because you don't know when the groom's return will occur.
• So, which is better, being late to the wedding because you're take care of last-minute preparations, or being on time for the wedding but unprepared?
• What disqualified the 5 virgins from participating in the wedding?
  • Not denying the groom.
  • Not forgetting lamps (they had lamps).
  • Not going to sleep (else the other virgins would've been disqualified, too). As you await the coming of the Lord, it's OK to sleep. We're not in some frenzy, waiting.
  • They failed to be ready for an indefinite delay.
• This parable is speaking of the kingdom of heaven and about being ready for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be personally ready for His return?
• Saved (this is enough to get to heaven, but the Lord also wants us fruitful, John 15:16)
• Anticipating His return at any time (see 2P 3:14)
• Being a good steward (see Mt 24:45-46ff)

The coming of the Lord is 2000 years nearer than it has ever been. And, in a sense, even if the Lord's return is another thousand years away, our own personal journey of life will end with the coming of the Lord. Are you ready? Acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Master. Prepare for His return.