Matthew 25 11

Matthew 25:11 kjv

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

Matthew 25:11 nkjv

"Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'

Matthew 25:11 niv

"Later the others also came. 'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!'

Matthew 25:11 esv

Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.'

Matthew 25:11 nlt

Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, 'Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!'

Matthew 25 verses

Matthew 25 11 Meaning

Matthew 25:11 describes the moment when the five foolish virgins, having gone to buy oil after the bridegroom's unexpected arrival, return to find the wedding hall door shut. Their urgent plea, "Lord, Lord, open to us," reveals their desperation and the profound realization that they have missed the opportunity for entrance. The verse highlights the tragic consequences of unpreparedness and delay in spiritual matters, symbolizing a lost opportunity to enter the Kingdom of Heaven at Christ's return due to a lack of genuine, sustained spiritual readiness.

Matthew 25 11 Context

Matthew 25:11 is an integral part of the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13), which is itself a segment of Jesus' larger Olivet Discourse (Matt 24-25). This discourse provides extensive teaching on the end times, the Second Coming of Christ, and the need for preparedness. The chapter begins with three parables: the Ten Virgins, the Talents, and the Sheep and Goats, all emphasizing the theme of accountability and readiness for the Master's return. Historically and culturally, Jewish wedding customs involved a procession, often at night, from the bride's house to the groom's home for the wedding feast. Bridesmaids would accompany the groom, holding lamps. The "shut door" reflected security and the private nature of the feast once the celebration began. Spiritually, the parable is not about when Christ returns, but how believers should live in light of His guaranteed, though unannounced, return.

Matthew 25 11 Word analysis

• Afterward (Greek: ὕστερον, hysterone):
  • Meaning: Later, subsequently, too late.
  • Significance: This adverb precisely conveys the critical element of timing. It signifies a delay that has irreparable consequences. Their return happens after the crucial moment of opportunity, emphasizing the finality of the closed door. It underlines that there is a set time for entrance, and missing it means exclusion.
• came (Greek: ἔρχονται, erchontai):
  • Meaning: They come. (Present tense).
  • Significance: While past tense in English translation, the Greek present tense can make the scene vivid and immediate, or it could suggest the ongoing reality that many will try to enter late. It highlights their action of seeking entry after their previous neglect.
• also the other virgins (Greek: αἱ λοιπαὶ παρθένοι, hai loipai parthenoi):
  • Meaning: The remaining virgins; the rest of the virgins.
  • Significance: "Other" distinguishes them clearly from the "wise" virgins who had already entered. It identifies the five foolish ones, drawing attention back to their specific group and their collective state of unpreparedness. They were part of the bridal party, implying a professing relationship or expectation, but their internal readiness was lacking.
• saying (Greek: λέγουσαι, legousai):
  • Meaning: Saying, speaking. (Present participle).
  • Significance: The present participle indicates their continued or repeated utterance, implying an earnest, perhaps desperate, plea.
• Lord, Lord (Greek: Κύριε, Κύριε, Kyrie, Kyrie):
  • Meaning: Master, Lord (repeated for emphasis or desperation).
  • Significance: This doubled address often signifies earnest appeal, deep desperation, or perhaps a presumptuous assumption of intimacy or right to enter. It echoes similar pleas found elsewhere (e.g., Matt 7:21-23), where vocal acknowledgment of Jesus' lordship is contrasted with actual obedience or a true relationship. Their cry is sincere in the moment but reveals a previous lack of genuine, living faith expressed through preparedness.
• open to us (Greek: ἄνοιξον ἡμῖν, anoixon hemin):
  • Meaning: Open for us. (Aorist imperative).
  • Significance: This is a direct command or an urgent plea, conveying their desperate desire for access. The phrase highlights the locked door as a symbol of finality and exclusion. Their appeal is based on recognition of the "Lord's" authority, but too late to alter the consequences of their own actions. The "to us" further underscores their self-focus and lack of readiness.

Matthew 25 11 Bonus section

The doubled "Lord, Lord" in Matthew 25:11 resonates profoundly with Jesus' teaching in Matt 7:21-23, where He declares that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of His Father. This connection amplifies the idea that outward profession, even fervent, is insufficient without genuine spiritual fruit and preparedness. The virgins were part of the expectation for the bridegroom, even having lamps, indicating some form of professing faith. However, their critical lack of the essential "oil" when it was needed signifies a deeper issue than mere delay; it represents a failure to cultivate true spiritual readiness or a saving relationship that manifests in practical diligence and watchfulness. The scene serves as a potent reminder of the danger of self-deception and the ultimate inability to borrow spiritual merit or grace from others when faced with the Lord's return.

Matthew 25 11 Commentary

Matthew 25:11 serves as a stark warning within the Olivet Discourse. The return of the foolish virgins and their belated plea illustrate a critical moment of irreversible spiritual consequence. Their cry of "Lord, Lord, open to us" signifies a recognition of the Lord's authority and a desire for His presence, but this recognition comes only after the door has been shut. This parallels those who verbally acknowledge Christ but lack the genuine internal spiritual condition—symbolized by the oil—that provides access to His eternal presence.

The parable teaches that true readiness for Christ's return is an ongoing state, not a last-minute acquisition. The oil, often interpreted as the Holy Spirit, good works, or genuine faith and devotion, cannot be borrowed or produced at the final hour. The "shut door" represents the finality of God's judgment and the limited window of opportunity for salvation and true spiritual preparedness in this life. There comes a point when pleas, however desperate, are futile because the opportunity to enter has passed. This verse strongly advises against spiritual procrastination and superficial profession without accompanying transformative action and diligent watchfulness, urging believers to be constantly vigilant and prepared.