Matthew 25 1

Matthew 25:1 kjv

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

Matthew 25:1 nkjv

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Matthew 25:1 niv

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Matthew 25:1 esv

"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

Matthew 25:1 nlt

"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

Matthew 25 verses

Matthew 25 1 Meaning

Matthew 25:1 introduces the parable of the Ten Virgins, depicting the nature of the "kingdom of heaven" in relation to Christ's future return. It illustrates that readiness for the consummation of God's rule, represented by the coming of the Bridegroom, requires not merely outward participation or expectation, but genuine, sustained inner preparedness. The "kingdom of heaven" is shown to be a realm where believers, like the virgins awaiting the bridegroom, must remain vigilant and equipped, ready for an unpredictable but certain event. This verse sets the stage for distinguishing between genuine and superficial readiness for the eschatological realities.

Matthew 25 1 Context

Matthew 25:1 is the beginning of the Parable of the Ten Virgins, directly following Jesus' extended discourse on the end times, also known as the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24). Chapter 24 warns of future judgment and stresses the unexpected nature of the Son of Man's return, urging constant vigilance. Chapter 25, through three parables (Ten Virgins, Talents, Sheep and Goats), elaborates on how disciples are to remain watchful and ready for this return. This first parable emphasizes spiritual preparedness, discerning between genuine and superficial commitment to Christ's return, and highlights the responsibility of each individual. Historically, Jewish wedding customs involved a torchlit procession where bridesmaids welcomed the groom, reflecting the cultural expectation and anticipation for this significant event.

Matthew 25 1 Word analysis

• Then (Τότε - Tote): An adverb indicating a sequence in time. It explicitly connects this parable to the preceding discourse in Matthew 24, emphasizing that what follows is relevant to the "time" of the Son of Man's coming. It signals a shift from descriptive warnings to prescriptive parables on how to live in light of these warnings.

• the kingdom of heaven (ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν - hē basileia tōn ouranōn): Matthew's preferred phrase, roughly synonymous with "kingdom of God," often used out of reverence for the divine name. It refers to God's sovereign rule, actively present through Jesus' ministry and manifested fully at His eschatological return. Here, the kingdom is not a static concept but dynamic, being compared to an event of readiness.

• will be like (ὁμοιωθήσεται - homoiōthēsetai): Future passive of homoioō ("to make like, to compare"). This common formula in parables indicates that the story is an illustration, not a literal description or equation. The kingdom functions in a way that can be understood through this comparison.

• ten virgins (δέκα παρθένοις - deka parthenois):

  • Ten: A symbolic number, often denoting completeness or the necessary number for certain Jewish legal proceedings (e.g., a minyan for prayer). It suggests a full representation of the waiting community.
  • Virgins: (Greek: parthenos) Refers to young, unmarried women who served as bridesmaids. They were part of the wedding procession, expected to light the way for the groom to the wedding feast. This signifies a group identified with the wedding celebration and professing purity and readiness, symbolically representing all professing believers who await the Bridegroom (Christ).

• who took (αἵτινες λαβοῦσαι - haitines labousai): Implies an intentional act of possessing. They actively prepared by taking what was necessary for their role.

• their lamps (τὰς λαμπάδας ἑαυτῶν - tas lampadas heautōn): These were likely torches, requiring oil to burn. Lamps represent their outward identity, their calling, and their witness as part of the wedding party. They signify visible light, which metaphorically represents faith, good works, or Christian witness.

• and went out (ἐξῆλθον - exēlthon): A proactive step. They left their ordinary setting and physically moved into the sphere of waiting for the special event, indicating active participation and expectation.

• to meet (εἰς ἀπάντησιν - eis apantēsin): A specific term, often used for an official or honorable meeting, like a reception for a visiting dignitary or a royal. This highlights the respect and anticipation due to the arrival of the bridegroom.

• the bridegroom (τοῦ νυμφίου - tou nymphiou): A direct metaphor for Jesus Christ. His coming is the focal point of their expectation, and the culmination of the wedding feast represents the joyful consummation of the kingdom, often tied to Christ's second coming and the marriage of the Lamb (Rev 19:7).

• "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like": Establishes the parabolic nature, connecting future realities to present behavior. It frames the kingdom as something actively unfolding, not just a distant event.

• "ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom": This entire phrase establishes the setting, characters, and primary action. It describes professing believers (virgins) who are outwardly preparing (taking lamps) and actively expecting (going out to meet) Christ (the bridegroom). The normalcy of this action hides a critical internal distinction revealed later in the parable, foreshadowing the need for inner readiness beyond outward show.

Matthew 25 1 Bonus section

The concept of a "wedding feast" (often implicit from the "bridegroom") was a potent image in Jewish culture, signifying joy, celebration, and new beginnings, often linked with messianic expectations. The journey of the groom to the bride's house for the initial celebration before moving to his own home or his father's house was a common custom that required participants (like these virgins) to light the way in the darkness. This parable's placement after the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24) is crucial. It directly answers the unstated question: how then should we live, knowing the Lord's return is uncertain in timing but certain in coming? It shifts the focus from merely knowing about the end to actively living in a state of continuous expectation and personal spiritual cultivation, a vital and non-transferable responsibility.

Matthew 25 1 Commentary

Matthew 25:1 immediately follows Jesus' discourse on His return, transitioning from warnings about the unexpected nature of the day to a parable illustrating active and personal preparation. The comparison to "the kingdom of heaven" highlights that the principles of this parable apply directly to believers living within God's sovereign rule. The "ten virgins" represent those who outwardly profess faith and await Christ's return, akin to bridesmaids preparing for a wedding feast—a festive occasion but one requiring meticulous detail. Their lamps symbolize their external witness and the readiness they display. The key distinction, as the parable unfolds, will not be whether they went out but whether they had sufficient "oil"—the internal spiritual provision—to sustain their readiness throughout the wait. This verse lays the groundwork for emphasizing that profession must be coupled with an enduring, substantive spiritual state, recognizing that the "Bridegroom" (Jesus Christ) will indeed come, demanding immediate preparedness from those who anticipate Him.