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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:10

And while they went to buy ,.... The foolish virgins so far took the advice of the wise, as to go forth to buy oil for themselves: they not only had some thoughts about it, and resolutions to do it, but they really did go out to buy; which may design their attendance on the word and ordinances, where they stopped: they did not go to Christ for grace, for if they had gone directly to him, they had met him; but they went another way, and missed him; they took buying in a proper sense, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:11

Afterwards came also the other virgins ,.... The "other five virgins", as the Persic version reads. The "other"; that were only virgins in name, not in reality; they were different from the wise, they were foolish ones; they were other than those that were ready, they were unprepared ones; and in another situation than those that entered in; they were without, they were now separated from the company of the wise virgins, with whom they had been so long; and what was worst of all, they were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:12

But he answered and said ,.... The Lord and bridegroom from within, thought fit to give them an answer, but an unexpected and awful one to them: verily I say unto you, I know you not ; which must be understood in consistence with the omniscience of Christ: he knew their persons, conduct, and state; he knew they were foolish virgins, graceless professors, who had made no account of him and his righteousness; but had trusted to, and depended upon, their external profession of religion:... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:13

Watch therefore ,.... In ordinances, in prayer, public and private, in hearing the word, at the Lord's supper, and in every religious exercise; over the heart, the thoughts and affections of it; over words, actions, life, and conversation; and against all sin and unbelief, Satan's temptations, the world, and its charms and snares, false teachers, and their doctrines, and for the bridegroom's coming. This is the use and application of the whole parable, and shows the general design of it; the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 25:2

Five of them were wise - Or, provident, φρονιμοι - they took care to make a proper provision beforehand, and left nothing to be done in the last moment. Five were foolish - Μωροι , which might be translated careless, is generally rendered foolish; but this does not agree so well with φρονιμοι , provident, or prudent, in the first clause, which is the proper meaning of the word. Μωρος in the Etymologicon, is thus defined, μη ὁρᾶ το δεον , he who sees not what is proper or... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 25:4

Took oil in their vessels - They not only had a sufficiency of oil in their lamps, but they carried a vessel with oil to recruit their lamps, when it should be found expedient. This the foolish or improvident neglected to do: hence, when the oil that was in their lamps burned out, they had none to pour into the lamp to maintain the flame. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 25:5

The bridegroom tarried - The coming of the bridegroom to an individual may imply his death: his coming to the world - the final judgment. The delay - the time from a man's birth till his death, in the first case; in the second, the time from the beginning to the end of the world. Slumbered and slept - Or, ενυϚαξαν και εκαθευδον , they became drowsy and fell asleep. As sleep is frequently used in the sacred writings for death, so drowsiness, which precedes sleep, may be considered as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 25:6

At midnight there was a cry - The Jewish weddings were generally celebrated in the night; yet they usually began at the rising of the evening star; but in this case there was a more than ordinary delay. Behold, the bridegroom cometh - What an awful thing to be summoned to appear before the Judge of quick and dead! The following is an affecting relation, and fas est ab hoste doceri . "When Rabbi Jochanan ben Zachai was sick, his disciples came to visit him; and when he saw them he began... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 25:7

Trimmed their lamps - Εκοσμησαν , adorned them. I have seen some of the eastern lamps or lanthorns, the body of which was a skeleton of wood and threads, covered with a very thin transparent membrane, or very fine gauze, and decorated with flowers painted on it. It is probable that the nuptial lamps were highly decorated in this way; though the act mentioned here may mean no more than preparing the lamps for burning. The following account of the celebration of a wedding in Persia, taken... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 25:8

Our lamps are gone out - Σβεννυνται , are going out. So then it is evident that they were once lighted. They had once hearts illuminated and warmed by faith and love; but they had backslidden from the salvation of God, and now they are excluded from heaven, because, through their carelessness, they have let the light that was in them become darkness, and have not applied in time for a fresh supply of the salvation of God. A Jewish rabbin supposes God addressing man thus: - I give thee my... read more

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