The Parable of the Ten Virgins is found in Matthew 25:1-13. In this parable, Jesus tells the story of ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of the virgins were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish virgins took their lamps but did not take any extra oil with them. The wise virgins, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was delayed and the virgins all fell asleep waiting for him. At midnight, a cry rang out that the bridegroom was coming. All the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish virgins realized their lamps were going out and asked the wise virgins for oil. The wise virgins did not have enough oil to share and told the foolish virgins to go buy more. While the foolish virgins were gone buying oil, the bridegroom came and the wise virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. When the foolish virgins returned, the door was shut and the bridegroom refused to open it for them.
There are a few key points to understanding the meaning of this parable:
- Be prepared – The wise virgins were ready with oil while the foolish virgins were unprepared when the bridegroom came. We must be ready for Jesus’ return at any time.
- Perseverance – Waiting for the bridegroom took a long time. We must patiently persevere in following Christ.
- No second chances – Once the door was shut, the foolish virgins did not get another chance to enter. We only have this life to accept Christ.
- Salvation cannot be borrowed – The wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish ones. No one can believe for someone else.
Overall, the parable teaches us to be ready and prepared for Christ’s return. Being a Christian requires perseverance and personal faith – we cannot rely on others or wait until the last moment. While the timing of Jesus’ return is unexpected, how we respond is up to us. Will we be ready like the wise virgins? Or distracted and unprepared like the foolish ones? The choice is ours.
Now let’s explore the parable in more depth:
The Setting
Jesus told this parable to His disciples as part of His teaching about the end times on the Mount of Olives. He used the familiar cultural setting of a Jewish wedding ceremony to illustrate an important spiritual truth. During this time, the bridegroom would go to the bride’s house and escort her and her bridesmaids back to his home for the wedding banquet. The virgins would light their lamps and go out to meet the bridegroom, welcoming him and lighting the way back home. This parable highlights key characters – the bridegroom, the virgins, and the unfolding drama of waiting and watching for the bridegroom’s arrival.
The Characters
The Bridegroom
The bridegroom represents Jesus Himself. In the New Testament, Jesus is depicted as the bridegroom and the church is His bride. Just as the virgins eagerly awaited the bridegroom’s coming, we as the church are called to watch and wait in excited anticipation for Christ’s return (Rev 22:17, 20). The bridegroom’s delay in the parable points to the unexpected and unknown timing of Jesus’ return.
The Virgins
The virgins represent those awaiting Christ’s return. Their job was to accompany the bridegroom and light the way from the bride’s house to his home. All ten virgins were expectant and brought their lamps. But only the wise ones were ultimately ready to join the celebration.
The number ten symbolizes completion, implying that the parable applies to the full community of Christ’s followers. All are called to prepare for His return. The distinction was made between those who were wise and ready, as opposed to foolish and unprepared.
The Oil
The oil represents the spiritual ready-ness and preparedness required for salvation. Just having the outward element of the lamp (a profession of faith) was inadequate without the inward reality of oil (true spiritual life). Only the wise virgins who had oil were ready to join the wedding banquet when the bridegroom arrived. They had both inner and outer preparation.
The Unfolding Drama
The parable can be divided into four dramatic scenes:
- The virgins prepare – All grabbed their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. The foolish ones took lamps alone while the wise also brought extra oil in jars.
- The bridegroom delays – He was late and they all fell asleep waiting. The delay tested their readiness.
- The arrival announcement – A midnight cry rang out that the bridegroom was coming.
- The lamp lighting – The virgins woke and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones realized they needed oil and had run out of time to get more. They missed the bridegroom while scrambling to prepare.
The parable vividly captures the drama and surprise surrounding Christ’s return. There is a delay, a sudden announcement, a mad rush to finalize preparations, and ultimately a separation between those ready and those left out.
Key Teachings
Underlying this dramatic narrative, Jesus conveyed important truths about His return and how we should prepare:
The Unexpected Timing
No one knows when Christ will return – He will come “at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:40). We cannot presume upon the day or hour. The bridegroom’s delay despite an eager expectancy teaches us to be ready at all times.
The Need for Readiness
The parable warns against spiritual complacency and compromise. The foolish virgins appeared ready outwardly but were unprepared inwardly. Both lamp and oil were needed. We cannot wait until the last moment to get ready.
The Necessity of Personal Preparation
The wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish ones, who had to leave to buy their own. Our spiritual preparedness cannot be borrowed from others. Salvation requires personal faith and obedience (Revelation 3:3).
The Finality of the Moment
Once the door was shut, no more chances were given. We must avoid putting off salvation until it is too late (Hebrews 3:13). There is often a tipping point of no return.
The Reward of Readiness
Those ready went into the banquet; the unready ones were excluded. Jesus urges us to be alert and ready for His coming, which brings great reward (Luke 12:37-38). Preparedness pays off eternally.
Applying the Parable
In telling this parable, Jesus challenged His listeners to apply the lessons personally. Though all ten virgins expected the bridegroom, only half were ultimately ready to greet Him. Mere outward religiosity and empty confessions of faith are powerless without inward reality. Believers must exemplify both inner sincerity and outward obedience.
This parable demands us to examine our lives. Are we merely ‘playing church’ or are we truly spiritually prepared? Do we have vital relationship with Christ or just a lifeless religious routine? Soon the real Bridegroom will appear – hopefully we will not be found foolishly unprepared on that day!
How can we apply the lessons of this parable today? Here are some ideas:
- Examine if your faith is real and vital or just nominal
- Ask God to fill you daily with His Spirit for readiness
- Evaluate if your life evidences spiritual maturity and obedience
- Commit to faithfully walk with Christ no matter how long He tarries
- Watch for Christ’s return with expectancy while still being faithful today
The Parable of the Ten Virgins holds a sobering warning for us to be ready for Jesus’ return. But it also offers encouragement that abundant entrance into God’s kingdom awaits those found spiritually prepared when Christ comes. Are you ready to meet the Bridegroom?
Verses to Study
Here are some additional Bible verses to study about Christ’s return and being prepared:
- Matthew 24:36-44 – No one knows the day or hour
- Matthew 25:1-13 – Full text of the Parable of the Ten Virgins
- Matthew 24:45-51 – The faithful and wicked servants
- Luke 12:35-48 – Waiting for the Master’s return
- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 – The coming of the Lord
- Revelation 3:1-6 – Wake up and repent
- Revelation 16:15 – Stay awake, stay dressed
- Revelation 22:12-14 – Reward for readiness
The New Testament resounds with exhortations to be ready and prepared for Christ’s return. May the Parable of the Ten Virgins motivate us to live faithfully and eagerly await our coming King!
