Matthew 25 8

Matthew 25:8 kjv

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

Matthew 25:8 nkjv

And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

Matthew 25:8 niv

The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

Matthew 25:8 esv

And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

Matthew 25:8 nlt

Then the five foolish ones asked the others, 'Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.'

Matthew 25 verses

Matthew 25 8 Meaning

Matthew 25:8 reveals the sudden, dire realization of the five foolish virgins regarding their lack of preparedness for the bridegroom's arrival. Their lamps, which were meant to provide light for the procession, had run out of oil, symbolizing a profound and irreversible state of spiritual unreadiness or exhaustion. This verse captures their desperate, last-minute plea to the wise virgins to share what was a personal, non-transferable spiritual supply, highlighting the folly of spiritual procrastination.

Matthew 25 8 Context

Matthew 25:8 is part of the Parable of the Ten Virgins, immediately preceding the Parable of the Talents and the Judgment of the Sheep and Goats. These three parables constitute a significant portion of Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Matthew chapters 24-25), delivered in response to His disciples' questions about the signs of His coming and the end of the age. The parables collectively emphasize the urgent need for constant spiritual vigilance, faithfulness, and active preparedness for Christ's unpredictable return.

Culturally, Jewish wedding customs involved a bridegroom arriving at the bride's home or a central meeting point at an unexpected time, often at night, followed by a procession to the wedding feast. Attendants, like the virgins, would carry lamps to light the way. The lamps, requiring oil as fuel, underscore the necessity of a sustained supply. Historically, lamps and oil were vital for daily life and special events, making the symbolism relatable to the original audience. The core message aligns with the ongoing biblical emphasis on wisdom, prudence, and accountability to God.

Matthew 25 8 Word analysis

• And: Greek kai (καί). Connects this realization directly to the virgins' awakening from sleep and the bridegroom's imminent arrival, showing immediate consequence.
• the foolish: Greek hai morai (αἱ μωραί). Refers to the five virgins who were negligent or spiritually careless. Moros denotes senselessness or spiritual imprudence, not a lack of intellect, but a failure to act wisely in anticipation of the bridegroom. It stands in direct contrast to "the wise" (phronimoi) who had forethought.
• said: Greek eipan (εἶπαν). A simple declaration, but carrying the weight of urgency and desperation.
• unto the wise: Greek tais phronimois (ταῖς φρονίμοις). They appeal to those who demonstrated foresight and practical wisdom. This highlights the recognition by the foolish of the wise's superior readiness.
• Give us: Greek dote hēmin (δότε ἡμῖν). An imperative verb, expressing a plea or command. It reveals their sense of urgent need, desiring something critical that belongs to others.
• of your oil: Greek ek tou elaiou hymōn (ἐκ τοῦ ἐλαίου ὑμῶν). The genitive implies a portion of what belongs to the wise. Oil in biblical symbolism often represents the Holy Spirit (Zech 4:2-6, Rev 4:5), or preparedness, spiritual sustenance, true faith, or good works. The critical point is that this "oil" is a personal, non-transferable spiritual commodity.
• for: Greek hoti (ὅτι). Introduces the reason or justification for their request.
• our lamps: Greek hai lampades hēmōn (αἱ λαμπάδες ἡμῶν). The lamps signify outward demonstration of readiness, one's testimony, or the internal spiritual condition, illuminated by oil.
• are gone out: Greek esbesthēsan (ἐσβέσθησαν). Perfect passive indicative from sbennymi, "to extinguish" or "to go out." This signifies not just dwindling light but complete extinguishment. Their capacity to give light or to be ready has completely failed.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the foolish said unto the wise": This phrase immediately establishes the spiritual divide between the prepared and the unprepared, highlighting the desperate, last-minute plea of the heedless to the provident. Their appeal reveals a sudden, shocking awareness of their dire spiritual state when confronted by reality.
• "Give us of your oil": This demonstrates their misconception about spiritual readiness. They see "oil" as a commodity that can be shared or transferred at the eleventh hour, rather than a deeply personal, internal spiritual state cultivated through a relationship with God. This request sets up the unshareable nature of genuine spiritual preparedness in the subsequent verses.
• "for our lamps are gone out": This is the profound justification for their urgent request. The extinguished lamps symbolize the complete failure of their spiritual light, representing a total lack of readiness, absence of the Holy Spirit, or failure of true faith and good works, preventing them from participating in the wedding celebration. It underscores the terminal state of spiritual unpreparedness.

Matthew 25 8 Bonus section

• The stark contrast between the "wise" and "foolish" permeates biblical wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs), establishing a consistent theme of discerning and acting prudently in matters of life and faith.
• The parable's emphasis on "delay" of the bridegroom is crucial, as it means spiritual resources must be sufficient to endure time and unforeseen waiting periods, highlighting perseverance.
• The nature of "oil" being non-transferable illustrates a foundational truth of salvation: genuine faith, a living relationship with Christ, and the indwelling Spirit cannot be "shared" from one person to another. Each believer must cultivate their own spiritual vitality.

Matthew 25 8 Commentary

Matthew 25:8 is a poignant depiction of spiritual unpreparedness at the critical moment of reckoning. The foolish virgins' desperate cry for oil reflects a belated realization of their spiritual bankruptcy, having neglected to maintain their readiness. The "oil" symbolizes the indispensable spiritual essence required for eternal readiness—often interpreted as the indwelling Holy Spirit, genuine faith accompanied by works, or a vigilant personal walk with God. The lamps "gone out" signify not mere dimness but a complete absence of light, rendering them unfit to meet the Bridegroom. This verse powerfully conveys that a superficial appearance of readiness is insufficient; true spiritual preparedness requires an active, continuous cultivation that cannot be borrowed, begged, or acquired at the final hour. It underscores personal responsibility and the severe consequence of spiritual neglect in the face of Christ's return.