The Parable of the Ten Virgins
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven
will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
1. What kind of a wedding is this?
Here we have a Jewish wedding from the time of Jesus. It was customary for the couple to become betrothed (engaged) and this would last 1 year. During this time the bridegroom would go to his or his family’s property to begin building a house for the bride. After the year the bridegroom would come to the bride’s house, there would be the wedding and then he would bring her to his new house where they would have the wedding supper.
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3 (NKJV)
2. Who are the main players in this parable?
Christ is the bridegroom, the bride is the Church which during chapter 24 has been raptured into heaven during the time of the Great Tribulation and married to Jesus. The virgins are those who claim to have come to Christ on earth during the tribulation.
10 THE NUMBER OF DIVINE PERFECTION. A completeness
that happens in some type of divine order, or something that’s completed during a course of time. There’s nothing that is left wanting within the complete cycle the number “ten” has just completed. There are 10 commandments (Ex. 20); 1/10 of your income is a tithe; the were 10 plagues on Egypt (Ex. 9:14ff); 10 x 10 silver sockets formed the foundation of the Tabernacle (Ex 38:27); There are 10 “I AM”‘s spoken by Jesus in John: 1) I am the Bread of Life (6:35); 2) I am the Bread of Life which came down from heaven (6:41); 3) I am the Living Bread (6:51); 4) I am the Light of the world (8:12); 5) I am One that bears witness of Myself (8:18); 6) I am the Door of the sheep (10:7,9); 7) I am the Good Shepherd (10:14); 8) I am the Resurrection and the Life (14:6); 9) I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (11:25); and 10) I am the True Vine (15:1,5). http://carm.org/what-biblical-numerology
The lamps or torches represent our faith and the oil is the Holy Spirit. As God referred to himself as the “husband” of Israel in the OT (e.g., Isa. 54:4–6), so Jesus pictures himself here as a bridegroom (cf. Matt. 9:14–15). It was the Jewish marriage custom (cf. 1:18) for the groom and his friends to leave his home and proceed to the home of the bride, where the marriage ceremony was conducted, often at night. After this, the entire wedding party returned to the groom’s home for a celebratory banquet. ESV
3. Why were some virgins identified as foolish and some wise?
Here a reference to the possession of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Romans 8:9 (NKJV)All ten appeared outwardly the same (virgins, lamps, similar activity), but five did not partake of the Holy Spirit, WBC
On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matt 7:22-23 (ESV)
Many go to church, claim to be
believers, claim they are “good people”, teach, preach and witness, but have not the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, within them. They are only fooling themselves and others.
4. Why could not the wise virgins loan the foolish ones some of their oil?
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.John 14:16-17 (ESV)
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26 (NKJV)
This is a one on one transaction between God and the believers.
5. What is the overall theme of this parable?
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Always be ready.“Resolved, never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.” — Jonathan Edwards
The Parable of the Talents
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying,‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
6. What are talents?
7. What do the talents represent?
Salvation is a gift and along with that gift God includes spiritual abilities, opportunity and skill which would not normally be part of the new believers resume. Preaching, teaching, counseling, financial expertise, administration, witnessing, giving etc.
To some extent or another each believer has some of each and many times multiple gifts or abilities.Probably we should understand the talents to represent all the working capital that God entrusts to His disciples. All of these things constitute what God has given His servants to use for His glory. CN
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. 1 Cor 12:27-31 (ESV)
8. So what is the problem here?
Immediately the slaves entrusted with five and two talents began to put their money to use for their master. This shows their faithfulness to their duty to make money for him. They traded with the money in some way, and they made a profit. The other slave, however, was unwilling to work and to risk. By burying the money he showed that he valued safety above all else. Burying his talent was even much safer than putting it in a savings account. Before the days of modern banking, many people buried money in the ground for safekeeping.
The slaves of God who have a heart for God and His coming kingdom will sense their privilege, seize their opportunities, and serve God to the maximum extent of their ability in the Tribulation. Those who have no real concern about preparing people for the coming King will do nothing with their opportunities. Their own safety will be more important to them than working to prepare for the arrival of the King. Being a good steward involves taking some risks. CN
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10-11 (ESV)
We were saved for a purpose and we need to get busy fulfilling that purpose. Salvation is not just a Heavenly fire insurance policy.
9. What happens to the guy who had nothing to show for what the master had given him?
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:5-7 (ESV)
The Final Judgment
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying,‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
10. Who is being judged here?
In this chapter our Lord is alerting God’s people to the fact that we are to ready ourselves for His coming. This is certainly true in the next few verses.
During the Tribulation Period all nations will have the opportunity to hear and receive God’s message. The gospel of the kingdom will be preached among all nations, we are told. But some will reject God’s messengers, Christ’s brethren, and thereby reject Christ. JVM
Jesus concluded the Olivet Discourse with further revelation about the judgment that will take place at the end of the present age when He returns. He had referred to it often in the discourse, but now He made it a special subject of explanation. This judgment will occur when the King returns to earth at the end of the Tribulation to set up His kingdom.CN
The New Testament teaches that there will be two distinct judgments relative to the kingdom. One of these judgments will occur just before the messianic kingdom begins and another will follow at its end. The one at the end is the great white throne judgment when God will send all unbelievers to hell.
The phrase “all the nations” is often more inclusive, referring to all people, including the Jews (cf. Here it probably refers to all people living on earth when Jesus establishes His kingdom. Everyone will have heard the gospel of the kingdom preached during the Tribulation.CN
They will be judged as individuals, not as. Such a judgment of living men at the time of Christ’s glorious coming is foretold in Joel 3:1, 2. —WBC
“For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, Joel 3:1-2 (ESV)
These Jewish believers will bring about the conversion of an unnumbered multitude of Gentiles (Rev 7:9-14) , who will evidence their faith by their deeds. Their visiting those in prison suggests that danger will be involved in a man’s publicly acknowledging Christ and His emissaries during that period.—WBC
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice,“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.”And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev 7:9-14 (ESV)
11. What will be the criteria for separating the sheep from the goats?
As evidence of the regenerated character of these sheep-like persons, Jesus cites their deeds of kindness done to “my brethren,” which he treats as done to himself. It seems clear that the sheepand the goats are distinct from my brethren. Hence the interpretation of the nations as Gentiles and my brethren as the faithful Jewish remnant who will proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom in all the world meets the exigencies of the passage. These Jewish believers will bring about the conversion of an unnumbered multitude of Gentiles who will evidence their faith by their deeds. Their visiting those in prison suggests that danger will be involved in a man’s publicly acknowledging Christ and His emissaries during that period.—WBC
In the context, what we have here is a picture of the judgment of those gentiles who were evangelized by the 144, 000 Jewish preachers, who go throughout the world during the tribulation period witnessing for Christ. What separates the sheep from the goat is how these Jewish evangelists are treated by those living during this time. Those who accept their message, receive Christ and treat these Jews with love and respect will be blessed. Those who reject the Gospel (the goats) and ignore the Jewish preachers will be told “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels”.
· ESVN………….ESV Study Bible Notes
· MSBN…….MacArthur NASB Study Notes
· NIVSN…..NIV Study Notes.
· JVM ….J Vernon McGee,
· ACC …. Adam Clarke’s Commentary
· BN …..Barnes Notes
· WBC…… Wycliffe Bible Commentary
· CN ……Constables Notes
· IC……….Ironside Commentary
· NET………Net Bible Study Notes.
· JFB…………..Jamieson Fausset Brown Commentary
· VWS……………..Vincent Word Studies
· CMM………….Commentary on Matthew and Mark
· BDB…………..Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT)
· Darby………..John Darby’s Synopsis of the OT and NT
Johnson………Johnson’s Notes on the New Testament.
· NTCMM…………..The New Testament Commentary: Matthew and Mark.
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