Mat 25:1-13 | RWP | e4.org | Ten virgins ( δεκα παρθενοις ). No special point in the number ten. The scene is apparently centered round the house of the bride to which the bridegroom is coming for the wedding festivities. But Plummer places the scene near the house of the bridegroom who has gone to bring the bride home. It is not pertinent to the point of the parable to settle it. Lamps ( λαμπαδας ). Probably torches with a wooden staff and a dish on top in which was placed a piece of rope or cloth dipped in oil or pitch. But sometimes λαμπας has the meaning of oil lamp ( λυχνος ) as in . That may be the meaning here (Rutherford, New Phrynichus ).

‏ Matthew 25:1-13

Ten virgins ( δεκα παρθενοις ). No special point in the number ten. The scene is apparently centered round the house of the bride to which the bridegroom is coming for the wedding festivities. But Plummer places the scene near the house of the bridegroom who has gone to bring the bride home. It is not pertinent to the point of the parable to settle it.

Lamps ( λαμπαδας ). Probably torches with a wooden staff and a dish on top in which was placed a piece of rope or cloth dipped in oil or pitch. But sometimes λαμπας has the meaning of oil lamp ( λυχνος ) as in Ac 20:8. That may be the meaning here (Rutherford, New Phrynichus).

Took no oil with them ( ουκ ελαβον μεθ' εαυτων ελαιον ). Probably none at all, not realizing their lack of oil till they lit the torches on the arrival of the bridegroom and his party.

In their vessels ( εν τοις αγγειοις ). Here alone in the N.T., through αγγη in 13:48. Extra supply in these receptacles besides the oil in the dish on top of the staff.

They all slumbered and slept ( ενυσταξαν πασα κα εκαθευδον ). They dropped off to sleep, nodded (ingressive aorist) and then went on sleeping (imperfect, linear action), a vivid picture drawn by the difference in the two tenses. Many a preacher has seen this happen while he is preaching.

There is a cry ( κραυγη γεγονεν ). A cry has come. Dramatic use of the present perfect (second perfect active) indicative, not the perfect for the aorist. It is not εστιν, but γεγονεν which emphasizes the sudden outcry which has rent the air. The very memory of it is preserved by this tense with all the bustle and confusion, the rushing to the oil-venders.

Come ye forth to meet him ( εξερχεσθε εις απαντησιν ). Or, Go out for meeting him, dependent on whether the cry comes from outside the house or inside the house where they were sleeping because of the delay. It was a ceremonial salutation neatly expressed by the Greek phrase.

Trimmed ( εκοσμησαν ). Put in order, made ready. The wicks were trimmed, the lights being out while they slept, fresh oil put in the dish, and lit again. A marriage ceremony in India is described by Ward (View of the Hindoos) in Trench's Parables: "After waiting two or three hours, at length near midnight it was announced, as in the very words of Scripture, 'Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.'"

Are going out ( σβεννυντα ). Present middle indicative of linear action, not punctiliar or aoristic. When the five foolish virgins lit their lamps, they discovered the lack of oil. The sputtering, flickering, smoking wicks were a sad revelation. "And perhaps we are to understand that there is something in the coincidence of the lamps going out just as the Bridegroom arrived. Mere outward religion is found to have no illuminating power" (Plummer).

Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you ( μηποτε ου μη αρκεσε ημιν κα υμιν ). There is an elliptical construction here that is not easy of explanation. Some MSS. Aleph A L Z have ουκ instead of ου μη. But even so μη ποτε has to be explained either by supplying an imperative like γινεσθω or by a verb of fearing like φοβουμεθα (this most likely). Either ουκ or ου μη would be proper with the futuristic subjunctive αρκεσε (Moulton, Prolegomena, p. 192; Robertson, Grammar, pp. 1161,1174). "We are afraid that there is no possibility of there being enough for us both." This is a denial of oil by the wise virgins because there was not enough for both. "It was necessary to show that the foolish virgins could not have the consequences of their folly averted at the last moment" (Plummer). It is a courteous reply, but it is decisive. The compound Greek negatives are very expressive, μηποτε--ου μη.

And while they went away ( απερχομενων δε αυτων ). Present middle participle, genitive absolute, while they were going away, descriptive linear action. Picture of their inevitable folly.

Was shut ( εκλεισθη ). Effective aorist passive indicative, shut to stay shut.

Afterward ( υστερον ). And find the door shut in their faces.

Lord, Lord, open to us ( Κυριε, Κυριε, ανοιξον ημιν ). They appeal to the bridegroom who is now master whether he is at the bride's house or his own.

I know you not ( ουκ οιδα υμας ). Hence there was no reason for special or unusual favours to be granted them. They must abide the consequences of their own negligence.

Watch therefore ( γρηγορειτε ουν ). This is the refrain with all the parables. Lack of foresight is inexcusable. Ignorance of the time of the second coming is not an excuse for neglect, but a reason for readiness. Every preacher goes up against this trait in human nature, putting off till another time what should be done today.