Bible Story · Matthew 25:1–13
The Ten Virgins
The Story
The Kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and five were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take extra oil. The wise ones took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight came the cry: 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' All the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise: 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' The wise replied: 'We cannot give you any — there may not be enough for both of us and you. Go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' While they went to buy oil, the bridegroom arrived. The five who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet. The door was shut. Later the other five came back: 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he replied: 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' The parable closes with the command: 'Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.' The bridegroom's delay is the central dramatic tension. All ten fell asleep — this is not the issue. The difference between the wise and foolish is not alertness but preparation. Extra oil cannot be borrowed at the last moment; it must have been brought from the beginning. The door that closes is not arbitrary exclusion but the natural consequence of not being ready for an event with a definite beginning.
Background
Jewish wedding celebrations could last for days and involved processions at night, with lamps providing both light and festivity. The bridegroom's arrival time was uncertain — delays were common. Wedding guests were expected to be ready regardless of when he came. Joining the procession late was not an option — the door was shut and the celebration began. The parable is eschatological, addressing the disciples' readiness for an uncertain but certain return of Christ.
Truth
Readiness cannot be transferred or borrowed at the last moment. The oil represents the inward, personal preparation — faith, relationship with God, spiritual formation — that must be accumulated over time. You cannot download someone else's relationship with God in the final hour. The parable warns against assuming you have time and against the complacency that watches others prepare without preparing yourself. Jesus' call is not to anxiety but to daily readiness: live in such a way that whenever he comes, you are ready.
Application
What does your daily relationship with God look like — is it the 'extra oil' that keeps your lamp burning, or has it become something you assume will be there when you need it? What does it mean to live with readiness today?