Page 144 - Eschatology - Masters revised

Matthew 25:1–13 (NIV84)1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took
their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took
oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all
became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out
to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to
the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not
be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were
ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also
came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t
know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

This parable is a story taken from the marriage customs of New Testament times. It was customary for a
young man and a young woman to become betrothed during a small family ceremony. Betrothal was
stronger than our engagement because the young man and young woman were then considered to be
married to one another. However, they did not consummate the marriage physically or live together. If
one of them died, the other was considered to be a widower or a widow. If, as in the case of Joseph and
Mary, there was apparent proof of infidelity, they could separate but only through divorce.

During this betrothal period, of about a year, the bride would live with her parents while the bridegroom
would build a house for them to live in. Often it was a room built onto to his father’s house. When that
house was finished, he would often ask his friends to join him as he went on a surprise trip to claim his
bride. The marriage would then be consummated that night. Later, there was usually a marriage feast
that lasted up to seven days.

This story of the Ten Virgins appears to be part of the wedding celebration, either of the bridegroom
bringing his bride to his home or of the beginning of the 7-day wedding celebration. These virgins were
waiting late into the evening for the bridegroom to come. Most likely, they were waiting for him
together with his bride, to either leave her parents’ home and join him in his finished house or joining
both of them as they made their way to the wedding feast.

The emphasis here seems to be on wise and adequate preparation for the coming of the bridegroom.
Five of the virgins were wisely prepared with extra oil for their lamps. But five of them were unwisely
not prepared with extra oil.

The lighted lamps might have been important so they could perform a type of lamp dance at the
occasion. When the warning is given concerning the bridegroom’s arrival, the five unprepared virgins
need to rectify their lack of extra oil by going to purchase some. But while they were gone the
bridegroom arrived, and the five virgins that were prepared entered into the wedding feast together
with him. When the five unwise virgins arrived too late, the wedding celebration was already taking
place and they were not allowed to enter in to join the celebration.

What is the meaning of this parable? Jesus does not explain the meaning. But we must assume that his
disciples understood the meaning without any additional explanation, based upon their cultural
knowledge of their marriage customs.

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