The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Mike Johnson
The “Parable of the Ten Virgins” is recorded in Matthew 25:1-13. The passage says that ten virgins were waiting for the return of a bridegroom who did not arrive on time. Consequently, five of the virgins (referred to as foolish) ran out of oil for their lamps and had to go and get more. In the meantime, the wedding party arrived. So the five wise virgins, who had enough oil in their lamps and remained, were allowed to go in. Later, when the foolish virgins returned, they were not allowed to enter.
The Marriage Feast
The events surrounding weddings during Bible times were different from our customs. McGarvey, in his commentary on Matthew and Mark, points out, “According to Jewish custom, the bridegroom went to the house of his father-in-law to receive his bride, leaving at his own house a company of virgins, who were to come out with lanterns and torches to meet him on his arrival, and to escort him into the house.” The parable appears to follow Jewish customs as the ten virgins were waiting for the bridegroom’s return and the wedding party.
The problem was that five of them did not bring enough oil. The foolish virgins felt the bridegroom would be on time and had not made proper provisions for a delay. However, the five wise virgins knew that the time was uncertain, and they furnished themselves with enough oil to last.
The Second Coming
Jesus tells us the meaning of this parable in verse 13 when He says, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” The second coming of Christ will take place. This information was given to the apostles immediately after Jesus ascended to heaven by two men in white apparel. Acts 1:11 tells us, “. . . Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” The uncertain part about the return of Christ concerns the question of WHEN. This parable and other teachings show that we do not know when Christ will return. It will be as a “thief in the night” (2 Pet. 3:10, 1 Thess. 5:2). We do not know when a thief will come; he comes unexpectedly. Similarly, we do not know when Christ will return—we do not know the day or the hour. Many, unsuccessfully, have tried to predict the second coming of Christ even though the Scriptures teach us that the time of his return cannot be known.
Watchfulness
Since we do not know when Christ will return, it is even more critical to ensure that we are prepared. Jesus teaches this principle in Matthew 24:42-44, when he tells us, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” The problem with the foolish virgins was that they had not adequately prepared. Since we do not know when Christ will return, we must always be ready.
II Peter 3 discussed the second coming of Christ and the behavior which should result. Verses 11-12 reveal, “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.” Verse 14 adds, “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”
The Closed Door
Since the foolish virgins had not prepared, they were not allowed to enter. They came and found the door shut. When they asked to enter, they were told, “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you” (v. 12). They faced rejection. This verse expresses a picture concerning the fate of unprepared individuals on Judgment Day. Concerning such people Christ will say (Mt. 7:23), “ I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” We should all strive to be in a prepared state as the wise virgins were. Judgment could happen at any time. Are you ready for it?