lessons

16-Aug-2025: The Parable of the Ten Virgins Explained (Matthew 25:1-13)

Opening Prayer

Introduction:

Nazia, would you please read Matthew 25:1–13?

Matthew 25:1–13

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

The Parable Explained

What the Ten Virgins Represent

In the Bible, the number ten often represents a congregation. In Judaism, there’s something called a minyan — a minimum of ten people required to pray publicly. So the number ten, in this context, speaks to us of people in congregations. These virgins represent churchgoers — those who are part of the visible community of believers.
Staying spiritually ready for the return of Jesus.
The oil represents the inner, personal readiness we must maintain to meet Christ when He returns.
Jesus tells this parable as part of His teaching about the end times. He paints a picture of ten virgins (bridesmaids) who were waiting to meet the bridegroom, a symbol of Himself.
All ten had lamps. All ten were waiting. But only five had brought extra oil. When the bridegroom arrived at midnight, five were ready — and five were not.
The five foolish virgins begged for oil, but the door was shut. This is not just a story about weddings — this is about the Kingdom of God, about eternity, and about your soul.

What the Oil Represents

Let’s talk about the oil, because that’s the turning point in the story.

Everyone had lamps, but only five had oil.
The oil represents the inner spiritual life — that unseen preparation of the heart that sustains your faith: The Holy Spirit, Faithful obedience, Intimacy with God,
A heart alive with prayer, worship, and repentance.
You can’t borrow someone else’s oil. You can’t fake it. You can’t wait until the last moment to get it.
This oil is the deep personal relationship with Christ that keeps your lamp burning through the long night.

The Difference Between the Wise and the Foolish

Let’s compare them:

The Wise Virgins brought extra oil and they were Spiritually prepared. They were able to enter the wedding feast and they represent true believers.
The Foolish Virgins had lamps but no reserves. They were superficially ready and were shut out of the wedding feast. They represent the unprepared.
The wise didn’t just look ready — they were ready. Their faith had roots. Their oil was full. They were watching, waiting, and prepared.

The Urgency of Readiness

The key detail in the parable is this:

The bridegroom came at midnight.
In other words, He came unexpectedly.
Life will be going on as usual. People will be working, sleeping, scrolling, posting.
But in a moment — He will come.
When Christ returns, it will be too late to borrow oil, too late to get serious, too late to prepare.

This is the time to examine our own lives:

Is my lamp lit?
Do I have enough oil?
Am I spiritually prepared?
Do I know Jesus, or do I just know about Him?

Living Ready Every Day:

The point of the parable is not to instill fear — but to awaken faithfulness.
- Matthew 25:13
  
  “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
We don’t know when Jesus will return, but we do know He will.
The wise live every day as if it could be today.

Let us:

Keep our lamps full through daily prayer and Word.
Repent quickly and live in holiness.
Stay in fellowship and accountability.
Listen to the Holy Spirit.
Love God above all else.

You see, the oil in your lamp matters more than the lamp itself. Your spiritual life —your walk with Jesus — is what will prepare you for His return. When the midnight cry comes, and the Bridegroom appears, may we be counted among the wise, with lamps burning brightly and oil overflowing. Don’t wait to prepare. Keep watch. Stay full. Be ready.

Let’s look at what was common to all ten virgins

They all expected the bridegroom.
They all knew He was coming — these weren’t unbelievers.
They all had lamps, and they all had oil.
In Scripture, oil almost always represents the Holy Spirit.
So we’re not talking about people who never experienced God
We’re talking about those who had at least an initial relationship with the Holy Spirit.
And notice this: they all fell asleep. Not just the foolish ones — all of them. So the only difference wasn’t sleep, it was how much oil they had.
The wise had oil in reserve — they were full. The foolish had just enough, and it ran out.
The Oil Must Be Bought: Now, this is striking — the wise told the foolish to go and buy oil.
That means it couldn’t just be given. Yes, the Holy Spirit is initially a gift, but to stay full — to be prepared — there’s a cost.

How do you buy oil?

Through prayer.
Through time in the Word.
Through waiting on God.

It takes time. It takes discipline. It doesn’t just happen. You must choose it.

Let’s go to Revelation 3:17–18, where Jesus speaks to the church of Laodicea and issues a warning — a mirror of the modern church in many ways:

Revelation 3:17–18

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich…”

This is astonishing — people who are spiritually bankrupt, yet totally unaware. Jesus says, You must buy from Me.
Gold tried in the fire — I believe this is faith that has been tested.
White garments — representing righteousness and purity. These are not free. You must pay the price through endurance, obedience, and devotion.
Notice the contrast: The church in Smyrna had nothing, but Jesus said, You are rich. Laodicea had everything, and Jesus said, You are poor.
Whose evaluation matters — ours or His? His…

Final Warning: The Door Was Shut

When the foolish virgins finally came back with oil — it was too late. The door was shut. Jesus said, “I never knew you.” How do we understand that? Here’s my thought — these weren’t among God’s elect. They were part of the community, but they never passed the test. That’s how I see it. You may see it differently.
The Final Question: Have you bought your oil? Are you paying the price in time, in prayer, in pursuit of God? Don’t assume that a one-time experience is enough.
Because the cry will come at midnight — and only those who are prepared will go in.

Be Ready, Stay Ready. Stay full.