Matthew 25:4 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:4

The provision for Christian emergencies. "The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." Some think that torches of tow, steeped in oil, and fastened to the end of sticks, may be meant. Wetstein quotes the following from Rabbi Solomo: "It was the custom in the land of Ishmael to bring the bride from the house of her father to that of her husband in the night time; and there were about tea staffs; upon the top of each was a brazen dish, containing rags, oil, and pitch, and this being... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 25:2-4

And five of them were wise - . The words “wise and foolish,” here, refer only to their conduct; in regard to the oil. The one part was “wise” in taking oil, the other “foolish” in neglecting it. The conduct of those who were “wise” refers to those who are “prepared” for the coming of Christ - prepared by possessing real piety, and not being merely his professed followers. The conduct of those “without” oil expresses the conduct of those who profess to love him, but are destitute of true grace,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 25:2-4

Matthew 25:2-4. And five of them were wise Prudent and provident; and five foolish Inconsiderate and careless. These latter took their lamps Took up a profession of the true religion; but took no oil with them No more than kept them burning just for the present. None to supply their future want, to recruit their lamps’ decay. They did not receive or maintain the saving grace of God, did not get or keep faith working by love, an interest in and union with Christ the good olive, or... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

133. The ten girls (Matthew 25:1-13)Matthew 25:0 records three stories or pictures from Jesus, all of which illustrate the teaching he had just given. He would leave the world for an unknown length of time, then return. Those who prepared themselves for his return would enter his kingdom with joy; those who did not would suffer loss. The three passages show three reasons for people’s failure - thoughtlessness, laziness and indifference.A Jewish marriage followed a period of engagement that was... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 25:4

vessels. Containing oil, to pour on the torches. Greek. angeion. Occ only here, and Matthew 13:48 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 25:3-4

Matthew 25:3-4. They that were foolish, &c.— Five of the virgins that waited for the bridegroom were so foolish, as to take only a little oil in their lamps, to serve their present occasion: but the other five, being more wise, knew that the coming of the bridegroom was uncertain; for which reason, besides filling their lamps at first, they prudentlytook a quantity of oil in their vessels to supply their lamps, that they might be in readiness to go forth at a moment's warning. See Mat 25:12... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 25:4

4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps—What are these "lamps" and this "oil"? Many answers have been given. But since the foolish as well as the wise took their lamps and went forth with them to meet the Bridegroom, these lighted lamps and this advance a certain way in company with the wise, must denote that Christian profession which is common to all who bear the Christian name; while the insufficiency of this without something else, of which they never possessed... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:1-13

The parable of the 10 virgins 25:1-13This parable helps disciples understand what it means to await the King’s return with prudence.". . . the point is simply that readiness, whatever form it takes, is not something that can be achieved by a last-minute adjustment. It depends on long-term provision, and if that has been made, the wise disciple can sleep secure in the knowledge that everything is ready." [Note: France, The Gospel . . ., p. 947.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:2-5

The five prudent (Gr. phronimoi, cf. Matthew 7:24; Matthew 10:16; Matthew 24:45) virgins represent Jewish disciples who not only anticipated Jesus’ arrival but also prepared for it (cf. Matthew 3:2: Matthew 4:17). The five foolish virgins anticipated it but did not prepare for it. Preparedness is what separated the wise from the foolish."Perhaps their spiritual condition will be analogous to the Jews at the Lord’s first coming. With eyes only for the physical benefits of the kingdom, the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:3-46

VI. THE OFFICIAL PRESENTATION AND REJECTION OF THE KING 19:3-25:46This section of the Gospel continues Jesus’ instruction of His disciples in preparation for their future (Matthew 19:3 to Matthew 20:34). Then Jesus presented Himself formally to Israel as her King with His triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-17). This resulted in strong rejection by Israel’s leaders (Matthew 21:18 to Matthew 22:46). Consequently Jesus pronounced His rejection of Israel (ch. 23). Finally He revealed to His disciples... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 25:2-4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 25:2-4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 25:4

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 25:3-4

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 25:4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:1-13

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:2-5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 25:3-46

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