PARABLE 43 - Ten Wise and Foolish Virgins

PARABLE 43 — MATTHEW 25:1-13 — TEN WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

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

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Discussion Questions – Parable 43

PARABLE 43 — MATTHEW 25:1-13 — TEN WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS

1. The scene portrayed in this parable is a wedding about to take place. What was a Jewish wedding like in Jesus’ day?

Although many sources describing the practice of Jewish marriage at the time of Jesus Christ differ in the details, but there is general agreement concerning its major elements. Unlike Western marriage practices, the Jewish marriage has a greater degree of formalism involving numerous steps:

First, betrothal (which involved the prospective groom’s traveling from his father’s house to the home of the prospective bride, paying the purchase price, and thus establishing the marriage covenant); 

Second, the groom’s returning to his father’s house (which meant remaining separate from his bride for 12 months, during which time he prepared the living accommodations for his wife in his father’s house); 

Third, the groom’s coming for his bride at a time not known exactly to her; 

Fourth, his return with her to the groom’s father’s house to consummate the marriage and to celebrate the wedding feast for the next seven days (during which the bride remained closeted in her bridal chamber).

2. What is the meaning of this parable?

As we take a good look at the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), at least one side of this parable can be known with absolute certainty. The bridegroom is Jesus Christ, and this parable describes His return. Both the Old Testament (Isaiah 54:4-6; 62:4-5; Hosea 2:19) and the New Testament (John 3:27-30; Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19-20) represent the Messiah as a bridegroom. Both God’s people Israel and the Church are described in Scripture as the bride (Ephesians 5:25-32) for the Messiah.

Some ask which return of Christ is this? Is it His return for the rapture of the Church, or is it His return to set up the Millennial Kingdom at the end of the Tribulation? Dispensational scholars divide over this issue, and no attempt will be made to answer that question here. Regardless of which return it is, the lessons to be learned are relevant to both.

The overall and easily seen message of the parable is that Christ will return at an unknown hour and that His people must be ready. Being ready means preparing for whatever event may arise in our lives and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus at all times while we eagerly await His coming. As seen in the fact that all the virgins were sleeping when the call came indicates that it doesn’t matter what we are doing when Christ returns. We may be working, eating, sleeping, or pursuing leisure activities. Whatever it is, we must be doing it in such a way that we don’t have to “make things right” (get more oil) when He comes. 

3. What was the difference between the wise and foolish virgins? What did the wise have that the foolish did not? How is it that the foolish virgins took no oil with them?

Taking Matthew’s words literally (and not supplying words for him), I read that the difference between the foolish virgins and the wise virgins was one thing: the wise virgins had oil for their lamps, while the foolish virgins did not. The wise virgins had the opportunity to obtain oil, and did so. The foolish virgins had plenty of opportunity to obtain oil too, but did not.

There are many today that attend church. They think they are converted. They all believe in Jesus and are “going forth to meet him with no oil”. Many that think they have oil. They are just as the foolish virgins they have not took the necessary steps to assure their salvation. But just as the foolish virgins realized they had no oil when it was too late so will “Christians” when the Lord returns.

How does this happen? Perhaps…

Some may continue for a long time in a state of anxious concern, under conviction, without finding relief. After a while their consciences become hardened, and gradually become quiet, and so “The foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them.”

Another person, under deep conviction, thinks he has done too much already. He grows tired and discouraged, and finally decides that there is no such thing as conversion, and so he becomes like the “foolish [who] took their lamps, and took no oil with them.”

Another, under great conviction, looks around for some relief. He then has an emotional feeling that he thinks is conversion. This person repents but goes no further, and not being careful to examine himself, he settles down in a false hope and sleeps in dangerous security. And so he becomes like the “foolish [who] took their lamps, and took no oil with them.”

Sometimes the sinner who has been under conviction and anxiety for a long time thinks that he should say he is saved, and by saying it, he will be relieved. This has been followed with sad disappointment – no love for God, no baptism in the name of Jesus, no infilling of the Holy Ghost (they don’t find it necessary for salvation). Sometimes this ends with great security – and they then say, “I know I am converted.” Now they are doomed! In this way they that were “foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them.”

This person under conviction started attending church, paying their tithes, living a good life, but never read their Bible. They listen to others, the preachers, teachers, but never read it for themselves. They never took the necessary steps to salvation because they never took the time to search out their own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105). In this way they were like the foolish virgins “that took their lamps, but took no oil with them.”

4. How can a person be assured they have enough oil to meet the Bridegroom? 

1. A real experience of the new birth – for without the new birth there can be no real conversion. Without this change you cannot be a child of God. Those who are born again find that “old things are passed away and all things become new.” These are the characteristics of a “wise” person who is converted. How can you be saved? Read the first two books of Acts where you can read about the new birth and where the apostle Peter tells you how you can be saved (Acts 2:38).

2. A real faith in Christ. An empty “faith” is not enough, “for the devils believe and tremble.” True faith in Christ makes Christianity real, and changes your whole way of life. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

3. A willingness to give up the world. “Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17). “If any man will be a friend of the world he is the enemy of God” (James 4:4). “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed” (Romans 12:2).

4. Live a holy life, let your body be a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1-2). Without holiness no one shall see the Lord! (Hebrews 12:14).

5. Read you Bible daily. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105). Should I say more folks, there is your lamp and light!

The difference between the wise and the foolish may seem small. But to God they are as different as light and darkness. Thus the wise are called “children of light” and the foolish are said to be “in darkness.” 

4. Why did the wise virgins refuse to share their oil? Was this fair?

First of all many are under the false conception that the five foolish virgins ran out of oil. The text is clear on this point; the five foolish virgins never brought any oil with them (vs. 3).

Not only is the text clear about the foolish virgins bringing no oil with them, it is difficult to interpret the parable if, indeed, they did run out of oil. The difference between the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins is salvation. These five foolish virgins were not once saved, but then “ran out” of salvation. They were lost, and never had it. They never had oil. They were just empty lamps. They looked useful, they seemed to give promise of light, but they never produced it. 

Also, we are initially surprised (and even disappointed) that the five wise virgins will not share their oil with the foolish virgins. This is not because the five wise virgins were selfish. In the context of the story, sharing their oil may have meant that all ten would run short of oil. But when we come to the interpretation of this parable, we can see that the saved cannot share what they have in Christ with the lost. The lost will not enter heaven based on the salvation others have received. Jesus himself said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3), you must be born again for yourself. Each person is accountable for his own choices and must obtain salvation (oil) for themselves (see Deuteronomy 24:16; Ezekiel 18:20; Jeremiah 31:29-30).

You have to save yourself (Acts 2:40), no one can do it for you.

You have to repent for yourself (Acts 2:38).

You have to be baptized in Jesus Name for yourself (Acts 2:38).

You have to receive the Holy Ghost for yourself (Acts 2:38).

Just as the wise virgins said, you have to buy (oil/salvation) for yourself. 

Those who refuse to buy oil are the people who refuse to heed the warnings of God’s Word and the invitation of salvation through faith in Jesus. Those who don’t purchase oil are those who don’t think they need it, at least at the moment.

Jesus wants us to be careful about assuming we are saved, if indeed we are not. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:13). How do we work out our salvation – by the Word of God. It is for this reason that the apostles challenge us to examine ourselves, to be sure we are in the faith: Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you ”unless, indeed, you are reprobates (corrupt) and fail the test!” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

5. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us (vs. 11). But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not (vs. 12). Where else in scripture has the Lord said this?

The “Lord, lord” and “I do not know you” of verses 11 and 12 fit very well with Jesus’ condemnation of the false believers of Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast our devils, and in Your name done many wonderful works?’ And then I will profess unto them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you that work iniquity (lawlessness).’”

Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and do them, I will compare him unto a wise man… Matthew 7:24.

6. The Lord sends out a warning at the end of this parable “watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (vs. 13). Are you watching? Is your lamp full of oil?