Text: Matthew 25:1–13
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Mt 25:1 from the ESV Translation: “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 (kosme? – root of cosmetic) their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out (sbennymi – extinguished). 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 (gr?gore? – pay careful attention to) therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
We are looking at a solemn text concerning the state of the church visible. I could dwell on the potential eschatological (end times) implications, but I will not spend but a brief mention there. God’s Word is calling for a singular return of Christ which is evidenced here, and that is where I leave it today. Also – this is not the future state as there will be no fools in Heaven.
The parable of the ten virgins is a mirror held up to the end-time church since we live in the end times.
1. A Visible Church Divided by an Invisible Reality
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins…” v1
The first words “then shall the kingdom be likened” critically links chapter 25 back to chapter 24, so we need to understand the parable in context. In Chapter 24 of Matthew, the disciples asked a number of questions, one of which would be signs of the end. There are many indicators of end times which I will not concern myself here. The first thing in chapter 24 Jesus says to His disciples is: “Take heed that no man deceive you” in verse 4. As the world grows old and the return of Christ draws nearer, deception will grow worse, and the deceivers will become more adept at their craft of deception – and the worst deception is the deception of one’s self.
These ten virgins represent professing believers. They are church people. They show up every Sunday, sing the songs, raise their hands in “worship”, give to the work of church, they’re cordial and nice to everyone. In that culture, a virgin’s effort was very particular – actions, dress, activity, the company they kept. They wanted to be pleasing both to the bridegroom and to their peers. They were not unconcerned about their lives.
They all went forth to meet the bridegroom. All awaited His coming. All had lamps – symbols of their visible religion, of their professed desire to welcome the bridegroom. They were not drunk, coarse or rude, scoffers / athiests, but “virgins” – symbols of purity, separated from the world. And yet, five were wise, and five were foolish. This is Christ’s division – not man’s. What was the difference?
The wise took oil with them – the foolish did not. V3.
Clearly the “lamp” represents Christian profession; the “oil”, possession of an internal change / salvation. One is outward; the other, inward just like the “call of God” – one is external (preaching, etc.) and the other is internal (from the Holy Spirit). The foolish had no oil – no true grace, no Spirit of God, no abiding life within. I cannot see your oil, but God does. Make certain you are not deceived – that you think you have oil – when you don’t.
Thos with no “oil” had religion but not regeneration/ the new birth. Activity without anointing. Doctrine without deliverance. Church attendance, but no change of heart. They looked the part. If you saw them at church, you wouldn’t know the difference between those virgins. They all looked good and righteous. But God knew. And midnight revealed it. Consider that Judas Iscariot was a “religious” person according to scripture. Let’s look at Judas for a moment:
- In Matthew 10, Jesus sends out His disciples. All of His disciples. Including Judas Iscariot. What is stunning is what was not mentioned in scripture. No doubt Judas had great spiritual gifts, for he was a preacher of the gospel in Matthew 10, sent out from Christ – and our Lord Jesus Christ would not have put him to work and not prepare him for that work – yet we know “Judas is gone to his own place”. Judas was sent out with the others to preach the Gospel saying the “kingdom of heaven is at hand”. Healed the sick. Cleansed the lepers. Cast out devils. Raised the dead. Yes – Judas Iscariot was indistinguishable from the others in his profession and his actions – even in the success of his works. If Judas miscarried in his efforts, scripture would have called it out, but it doesn’t. He was in with the rest of the disciples and active.
- Judas carried out fully Christ’s command in Matthew 10 so well that in John 13:25, John the disciple asked Jesus who the betrayer was – and even after Jesus giving the clue of the sop in the dish, yet John didn’t understand. When Jesus told Iscariot to do what he had to do quickly, it says “no man at the table knew” (John 13:28). Judas was so similar to the others, he fit in without question.
- Man may go to great lengths to deceive others even as well as himself, yet – be as much a child of hell as Judas Iscariot; that is what we see in churches everywhere.
You are not saved by proximity. You are not saved by your works. Being part of the ten virgins (the complete visible body of Christ), does not mean being redeemed. Jesus said, “Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father.” (Mt. 7:21).
**A Note on the Number TEN as a number of completion in Scripture:
- The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:6-21) Given by God to Moses, they form the complete moral law for Israel.
- The Ten Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12) The full judgment of God on Pharaoh and Egypt, leading to Israel’s release.
- The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) A parable illustrating the completion of preparation for Christ’s return—five wise, five foolish.
- The Tithe (Genesis 14:20, Malachi 3:10) A tenth of income given to God, symbolizing complete financial dedication.
- The Ten Generations from Adam to Noah (Genesis 5) Represents the completion of an era, leading to judgment through the Flood.
- The Ten Generations from Shem to Abraham (Genesis 11:10-26) Marks the transition from Noah to the covenant with Abraham.
- The Ten Days of Testing (Daniel 1:12-15, Revelation 2:10) Daniel and his friends were tested for ten days with a strict diet—proving God’s faithfulness.
- The Church of Smyrna in Revelation faced ten days of persecution, symbolizing a complete trial.
- The Ten Toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s Statue (Daniel 2:41-42) Symbolic of the completion of world kingdoms before Christ’s ultimate reign.
- The Ten Horns on the Beast (Daniel 7:7, Revelation 13:1, Revelation 17:12) Represents complete political power of end-time rulers before God’s final judgment.
- The Ten Lepers Healed (Luke 17:11-19) A full representation of God’s grace and healing, though only one showed gratitude.
2. Delay Tests the Soul
“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.” V5
Delay – the long period of waiting. The Lord is not asleep or forgetful but has decreed the beginning from the end, and does not lack mercy. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise… but is longsuffering to us-ward.” (2 Peter 3:9).
When delay comes, we see the test. When the darkness arrives, we see more clearly.
They all slumbered and slept. Both wise and foolish. Even the most watchful saints know seasons of spiritual dullness. But note this: the wise had oil before they slept. Their preparation preceded the delay. Here is a truth: a sudden return will not permit sudden preparation.
When the call is made and the trumpet sounds, the time for buying oil is past. Distractions are over. Time has run out.
3. The Midnight Cry – Final Separation
“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh!” v6
Midnight – the darkest and least expected hour. As with the Parable of the Midnight Friend, the occurrence here is midnight when it is darkest and man is least prepared. This is the sudden return of Christ. “As lightning cometh out of the east… so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.” Mt 24:27.
All ten virgins rise. All ten trim their lamps as they are all still careful and attending to their duty. But then the crisis: the foolish cry, “Our lamps are gone out!” v8. They don’t ask for light. They ask for oil. They had the appearance, but no substance. Now, in panic, they beg from the wise. Reality hits them that they lack what is necessary. They see clearly that their schemes and mechanizations don’t hold.
But grace is not transferable. You cannot rely on your parents’ salvation, your pastor’s prayers, your own church membership.
The wise say, “Not so… go and buy.” v9. There is a right time for salvation – and it is now. Isaiah 55:1 says, “Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” 2 Corinthians 6:2b “behold, now is the day of salvation.” Not later. Not tomorrow. Giving attention to the necessary at an hour that’s too late, buying too late, praying too late, repenting too late – the bridegroom came and many were unprepared.
4. The Shut Door and the Unknown Bride
“And the door was shut.” v10
Finality. Fearfulness. Isaiah 33:14 “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.” The door of salvation was closed for those living to see that day. How many have had the door of mortal life closed, and were yet unprepared?
It is the very door of salvation, of heaven, of life eternal. And it is shut by the hand of the King. You cannot reopen it.
The foolish return. They cry with intensity, “Lord, Lord!” – the same cry as in Matthew 7. They do not deny Him. They do not curse Him. They plead with Him. But He says, “I know you not.” Same as these verses: Luke 13:24-27 “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”
He doesn’t say, “I knew you once and you fell.” He says, “I never knew you.” They were never His. They were near the church, but far from Christ.
“The door was shut.” That door, once closed, cannot be opened by man or angel – it has been closed by the hand of God.
What else can precipitate this situation that the five foolish virgins were in? What else could contribute to the shut out?
4a. Unequal Yokes
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” — 2 Corinthians 6:14
Many cry, “Peace, peace,” but they don’t want the peace that passes all understanding. They only want a worldly peace. They want “Jesus”, but not His cross. They want the kingdom, but not the King’s decrees. They want heaven, but they want to arrive there on the world’s method.
These are the foolish virgins — outwardly waiting, inwardly wandering.
They have made a treaty with Egypt. They have leaned on the arm of flesh. They are still in secret love with their idols. Secret loyalties pollute the inward man. False friends, forbidden unions, and fleshly indulgences are the alliances they think hidden — but they will be brought to light when the cry is made, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!” v6
If you are in league with the world, you are at war with Christ. “Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” — James 4:4
4b. Spiritual Adultery: They have Two Loves
The foolish virgins say, “Lord, Lord,” but their hearts are divided. Their affection is not singular. They would have Christ — but also keep their favorite sin. They would walk with God — but also dine with devils. They would serve the Lord — but keep an idol on the shelf.
The Lord will not have a double-minded bride.
“How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” — 1 Kings 18:21
Their spiritual adultery shows itself in their associations — men who love their secret meetings more than the Lord’s house; women who entertain the world while professing to love the Bridegroom.
But let us be clear: the Bridegroom is coming for a pure virgin — one not only clothed in His righteousness, but also loosed from sins of this age.
Oil in the lamp is the work of the Spirit — not merely light, but life. Not merely form, but true fire. Not strange fire like Nadab and Abihu offered – and were destroyed for. Numbers 26:61.
4c. The Cry at Midnight Will Expose All Hidden Associations
When the cry calls out — “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!” — it is too late to break your alliances. The soul that spent its effort in worldly secret places will not make the marriage feast.
The foolish virgins will knock in desperation, but the door is shut. Why? Because the Bridegroom never knew them. Their outward show of religion was betrayed by inward alliances with falsehood.
Let every man examine his heart. What oaths are binding on you? What friendships draw your soul toward the gates of Sodom? What secrets, what unspoken allegiance, what hidden desire has placed itself between you and the Lord?
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” — Psalm 66:18
4d. Come Out and Be Separate
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” — 2 Corinthians 6:17
This is the call to the wise virgins — to be free from any and all rival allegiances. To renounce the hidden works of darkness. To forsake unclean fellowships and uneven yokes of darkness. Today is the day to stand openly, wholly, visibly with Christ.
The person who would have the Bridegroom must forsake the world’s banquet.
5. The Call to Watchfulness and Readiness
“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour…” v13
This is Christ’s conclusion. Not to speculate on dates. Not to sleep because of delay. But to watch. To watch is to live ready. To watch is to keep your vessel full. Be ye filled with the Holy Spirit as we discussed in the Parable of the Midnight Friend. To watch is to abide in Christ, to confess sin quickly, to walk in the Spirit, to keep oil in your lamp.
Are you ready for the midnight cry?
Do not leave today uncertain. Let today be the day you seek the oil of grace. Let it be the day you stop depending on your lamp and start crying out for the flame of the Spirit. The Bridegroom cometh.