1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1-13 KJV)
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
This parable illustrates the kingdom of heaven—the state of things under the gospel and how it will be judged in the end. While some of Jesus’ parables, like those in Matthew 13, describe the present state of the kingdom, this one reveals what it will be like when God’s plan is fulfilled and Christ returns. It shows how He will deal with both the prepared and the unprepared on that great day. The “kingdom” here refers to those who profess to belong to it—represented by ten virgins.
The parable is based on a Jewish wedding custom, where the bride waited at night with her bridesmaids for the groom to arrive and escort her to the celebration. Typically, ten virgins were chosen for this task, a number often used in Jewish ceremonies (Ruth 4:2). The Bridegroom is Jesus Christ (Psalm 45; Revelation 19:7, 9), and the church is His bride. Believers are now betrothed to Christ (Hosea 2:19), and the full marriage celebration awaits His return.
The virgins symbolize professing Christians. They are called virgins to show purity and devotion (Revelation 14:4). Their duty is to meet the Bridegroom, which represents both our service to Christ (John 12:26) and our readiness for His return. Their lamps signify the outward profession of faith, and the oil represents the inward grace that sustains it. Christians, as children of light, must shine through good works (Philippians 2:15–16).
Five virgins were wise, and five were foolish (Matthew 25:2). Though all belonged outwardly to the same group, they were different in God’s eyes. The foolish took lamps but no oil (v. 3), making a show of readiness without the substance to endure. They lacked inward grace and failed to prepare for the future, living only for appearances (1 Timothy 6:19). The wise took oil in their vessels (v. 4), symbolizing a heart filled with grace—faith and love that sustain us through delay. This oil comes from Christ, the true Olive Tree (Zechariah 4; John 1:16), and we must keep our lamps burning by drawing from Him.
While the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept (v. 5). Though Christ seems delayed, He comes at the appointed time (Habakkuk 2:3). Even sincere believers may grow spiritually drowsy when their Lord tarries, just as the disciples failed to watch with Jesus (Matthew 26:40). One step of carelessness often leads to another, so we must stay vigilant.
At midnight, a cry was heard: “Here comes the bridegroom!” (v. 6). Christ will return unexpectedly, just as He came the first time after long anticipation. Midnight signals surprise, just as judgment fell on Egypt and deliverance came to Israel at midnight (Exodus 12:29). At His coming, there will be a cry from heaven—a shout and a trumpet—and a cry from earth, as people beg the mountains to fall on them (Revelation 6:16).
All the virgins rose and trimmed their lamps (v. 7). The wise made final preparations, reaffirming their faith and turning to God. The foolish, however, realized too late that their lamps were going out. Their empty profession could not sustain them (2 Peter 2:20; Job 27:8; Isaiah 50:11). They begged the wise for oil (Matthew 25:8), but grace cannot be borrowed. True faith must be personal, and no one can supply it for another. The wise replied that they did not have enough to share and advised them to buy their own (v. 9). Though this may seem harsh, it reflects the reality that grace must be sought while it is available (Isaiah 55:1).
While they went to buy, the bridegroom came (v. 10). Those who delay seeking grace often find it’s too late. At Christ’s return—or death—we must be ready. The wise went in with Him to the marriage, and the door was shut. This signifies the finality of judgment. Those inside are safe forever (Revelation 3:12), and those outside are shut out, as with the door of Noah’s ark.
The foolish virgins came later, crying, “Lord, Lord, open to us!” (v. 11). Many will seek entrance when it’s too late, like Esau seeking the blessing he once despised. Hypocrites, confident in their own righteousness, will find the door closed. Christ responds, “I don’t know you” (v. 12)—a solemn and irreversible verdict. The time for seeking the Lord is now; then, it will be too late.
The parable concludes with a call: “Watch therefore” (Matthew 25:13). We do not know the day or the hour, so we must always be ready. Our duty is to stay spiritually awake, walking in the fear of the Lord daily. The uncertainty of Christ’s return calls for constant vigilance.