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2. The Parable Of The Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13

3. Setting The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
In Jerusalem during Jesus’ last week
Most likely, late Tuesday afternoon or early Tuesday evening
Jesus has finished His public ministry
His last words = a lament for Jerusalem’s destruction Mt 23:37-39

4. Setting The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
In Jerusalem during Jesus’ last week
His comments in Mt were spoken privately to the disciples

5. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to 10 virgins participating in a marriage
They are like modern-day “bridesmaids”
The 1st century wedding…
A betrothal period just as “binding” as the actual marriage Mt 1:18-19

6. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to 10 virgins participating in a marriage
The 1st century wedding…
The bridegroom would first rejoice with his friends when time to consummate the marriage Mt 9:15 Jn 3:29

7. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to 10 virgins participating in a marriage
The 1st century wedding…
Afterwards, the bridegroom would proceed to the bride’s house to get his wife and take her to the marriage feast

8. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to 10 virgins participating in a marriage
The 1st century wedding…
Some historians indicate ancient oriental weddings took place at night…thus, bride’s maidens (“virgins”) carried lamps

9. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
Heaven’s kingdom can be compared to 10 virgins participating in a marriage
The 1st century wedding…
The maidens would light the way for the bridegroom to the bride’s house…also light the way to the marriage feast

10. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
The 10 virgins are in 2 groups vv. 2-4
Five are “foolish” Ù they have lamps, but no spare oil
Five are “wise” Ù they have lamps, but also spare oil (prudent)

11. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
The bridegroom is delayed v. 5a
An “unplanned” occurrence
The 10 virgins become sleepy v. 5b
Unexpectedly, the shout… v. 6
“Behold, the bridegroom!
Come out to meet him.”

12. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
The virgins awake, trim their lamps v. 7
The 5 “foolish” virgins now realize they do not have enough oil v. 8a
IMPORTANT POINT
There will come a point in time when we see we have failed to prepare…but it’s too late!!

13. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
The 5 “foolish” virgins’ solution…ask the 5 “wise” virgins for some oil v. 8b
A “failed solution” v. 9
If the 5 “wise” virgins lent some of their oil, they would not have enough, either
The 5 “foolish” needed to buy their own

14. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
Some have judged the 5 “wise” virgins as being “stingy” or “selfish”
Each one bears his own responsibility
The virgins’ “role” necessitated each one having enough oil
Some things in life cannot be “borrowed”

15. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
Some things cannot be “borrowed”
Faith, character, obedience
Judgment will be individual Cor 5:10
While faith does & should begin in our parents, it must eventually become our own 2 Tim 1:5

16. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
Some things cannot be “borrowed”
Spiritual character traits need to be in each one of us “…an abound”
We all need to “…make our calling and election sure” 2 Pet 1:5-11

17. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13 The “inevitable truth” v. 10
No matter the delay, the “bridegroom” will eventually come…unexpectedly
This is the point Jesus was making in His discourse re: Jerusalem’s destruction Mt 24:36-39, 42, 44

18. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
The “finality” of the marriage feast is also emphasized v. 10
While away buying what should have already been possessed, the 5 “foolish” virgins found the door “shut” (locked)
Only those who were “ready” got in

19. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
The 5 “foolish” virgins return vv
They attempt to enter the marriage feast
Their request to enter is denied...the lord of the feast said “I do not know you”
A fearful reality…we only have 1 chance to get ready for eternity Heb 9:27

20. The Parable The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13 The final exhortation v. 13
“Be on the alert, for you do not know the
day nor the hour”
Preparation is necessary…the coming of the Lord will happen “…like a thief in the night” Pet 3:10-18

21. The Application The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
The 5 “foolish” virgins were guilty of the sin of presumption
They presumed the bridegroom would come by a certain time…the amount of oil they had reflected this thinking
They never considered he might delay

22. The Application The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
The 5 “wise” virgins were just as unaware of the bridegroom’s delay
However, their preparations made them “ready” for whenever he arrived…no matter the delay

23. The Lesson The Ten Virgins Matt 25:1-13
Am I ready for Christ’s arrival?
Whenever He comes
One cannot neglect proper preparations
One cannot “borrow” what must be “bought”
One cannot recall lost opportunities

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