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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

Here, I. That in general which is to be illustrated is, the kingdom of heaven, the state of things under the gospel, the external kingdom of Christ, and the administration and success of it. Some of Christ's parables had shown us what it is like now in the present reception of it, as Matt. 13:1-52 This tells us what it shall be like, when the mystery of God shall be finished, and that kingdom delivered up to the Father. The administration of Christ's government, towards the ready and the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 25:1-13

25:1-13 "What will happen in the Kingdom of Heaven is like the situation which arose when ten virgins took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish took their lamps, but did not take oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels together with their lamps. When the bridegroom was long in coming, all of them settled down to rest and slept. In the middle of the night the cry went up, 'Look you, the bridegroom! Go out to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:4

But the wise took oil ,.... They were concerned for the true grace of God, being enlightened by the Spirit of God; they saw their need of the grace of God, and being directed by him where it was to be had, went to Christ for it; and having received it from him, through the power of the Holy Ghost, exercised it on him; and herein lay their wisdom: for a stock of this in the heart, daily renewed by Christ, will supply the lamp of a profession well. This they had in their vessels , their... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

Parable of the ten virgins. (Peculiar to St. Matthew.) This parable, as a continuation of the teaching of the last chapter, sets forth the necessity of having and retaining grace unto the end, in order to be able to welcome the advent of Christ. The duty of watchfulness and preparation for the great day is, of course, implied and set forth ( Matthew 25:13 ); but the point is that the oil of God's grace alone enables the soul to meet the bridegroom joyfully, without dismay. The usual... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

The parable of the ten virgins. I. THEY GO FORTH . 1 . The kingdom of heaven. Here, as elsewhere, that kingdom is the visible Church. But the present parable seems to relate to a part only of the kingdom, a portion of the Church. There may possibly be no spiritual significance in the word "virgins." Like the number ten, perhaps a common number at such times, it may belong merely to the structure, the imagery of the parable; young unmarried women were and are usually attendants of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

The ten virgins. I. CHRIST INVITES HIS CHURCH TO SHARE HIS JOY . Here is a festal occasion, and the joy and splendour of it will not be complete unless the virgin friends of the bride go forth to meet the bridegroom with their lamps illuminating the gay scene. More than once is the gospel gladness compared to that of a wedding. Under such an image the service and the warfare of life are for the moment forgotten, and its bright, glad side is brought to light. This too is to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

Parable of the ten virgins. This parable illustrates chiefly these three things: the meaning of our Lord's command to watch; its reason; and the means of fulfilling it. I. IT SHOWS US THAT IT DOES NOT MEAN , BE ALWAYS ON THE WATCH , BUT , BE ALWAYS PREPARED . The fisherman's wife who spends her time on the pier head watching for the boats cannot be so well prepared to give her husband a comfortable reception as the woman who is busy about her household... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:1-13

The virgins. Amongst the great truths taught in this parable we notice these. I. THAT RELIGION ADMITS OF NO NEUTRALITY . 1 . In either things men may be indifferent. 2 . But the relations of existence forbid neutrality in religion. II. THAT UNBELIEF IS THE PARALYZER OF RELIGIOUS ENERGY . 1 . The world appeals vividly to sense. 2 . The foolish sleep without oil in their vessels. 3 . Even the wise are found sleeping. III. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 25:4

In their vessels. These were the flasks or vases carried by the maidens to replenish the oil in the lamps as occasion demanded. The contrast between the two classes seems to lie in the foresight of the one and the negligent carelessness of the other. It has been common from early times to find in the lamps the symbol of faith, in the oil the good works that proceed therefrom. The wise virgins exercise their faith in charity and good works; the foolish profess, indeed, the faith of Christ but... read more

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