Matthew chapter 25

Jesus tells the parable of the ten bridesmaids, and the parable of the talents. He describes the Final Judgment.

 


 

THE PARABLE OF THE TEN BRIDESMAIDS

 

VERSE 1. “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom.

ten virgins. This is an allegory about being ready for the return of Jesus Christ in glory at the End of Time.

who took their lamps. The goal is to have your lamp with you.

 

VERSE 2. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

 

VERSE 3. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,

took no oil with them. These foolish ones were unprepared. They had no supply of oil.

 

VERSE 4. but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

the wise took oil. The wise ones were prepared. They not only brought their lamps, but also brought flasks of oil with them.

their vessels. Their flasks of oil would allow them to keep their lamps lit after their lamps ran out. That way, their lamps could keep shining.

their lamps. The term “lamps” in this verse can be interpreted to mean the “light” of your good works.

In ancient days, a candle burned in the Tent of Meeting. But in our day, the light is to shine from within us. How can you let your light shine? Read more »

If we believe our mission in life is to touch just a few souls here and there, then our vision is way too small. Thatʼs not enough. The LORD God would make of us a light to the entire world! Read more »

 

VERSE 5. Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

the bridegroom delayed. The return of Jesus Christ is delayed. But it can still happen at any moment, and we need to be always ready.

 

VERSE 6. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’

 

VERSE 7. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

 

VERSE 8. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

 

VERSE 9. But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’

What if there isn’t enough for us and you? Good works cannot be loaned out to other people.

go rather to those who sell, and buy. They are to buy their good works from someone else. This suggests a works-mentaility. It is as foolish as trying to earn one’s eternal salvation. This phrase brings to mind the Catholic leaders who sold indulgences to people who did not know better.

 

VERSE 10. While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.

the marriage feast. This is a metaphor for the kingdom of heaven.

The door was shut. Jesus spoke of this in Luke chapter 13:

Luke 13:25. When once the master of the house has risen up, and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

 

VERSE 11. Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’

Lord, Lord. This is a proper title for the Lord Jesus Christ. Nonetheless, merely mouthing them does not prove inward convictions or a change of heart.

Matthew 7:21. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

 

VERSE 12. But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

 

VERSE 13. Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

The date of the return of the Lord Jesus is unknown. It will be unexpected. However, some Christians claim to know when it will happen. They are false prophets. Read more »

 

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

Summary: This parable is an allegory about being responsible during the period before the triumphant return of Jesus Christ in glory at the End of Time.

 

VERSE 14. “For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them.

going into another country. The man went on a journey. He will be temporarily absent. After Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, he has been temporarily absent from us these 2,000 years.

 

VERSE 15. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.

talents. In this context, a “talent” is money.

 

VERSE 16. Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

traded with them. This suggests a willingness to take risks. It might represent people who go to foreign countries to evangelize.

he who received the five talents went. A goal for money is to invest it. We invest it in the kingdom of God. We do that by giving it away. Giving our money to the cause of Jesus Christ is called “tithing.” It is also called “stewardship.”

made another five talents. As we give away our money to the kingdom of God, we might be privileged to see it yield fruit. Lives might be touched, hearts converted, destinies changed. We pray that believers invest greatly in the kingdom of God. We pray that God multiply our investing in his kingdom.

 

VERSE 17. In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.

 

VERSE 18. But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

 

VERSE 19. “Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them.

after a long time. This suggests the return of the Lord Jesus Christ will be delayed a long time.

 

VERSE 20. He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents in addition to them.’

 

VERSE 21. “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Well done, good and faithful servant. Some people are good and faithful servants of the LORD God. They follow him wholeheartedly. God will say to them: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Read more »

Enter into the joy of your lord. This suggests entering the kingdom.

 

VERSE 22. “He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them.’

 

VERSE 23. “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

good and faithful servant. Some people are good and faithful servants of the LORD God. They follow him wholeheartedly. God will say to them: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Read more »

Many people in Christian ministry refer to themselves as “servants” of the Lord Jesus. However, we can also be his friends! Read more »

 

VERSE 24. “He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and gathering where you didn’t scatter.

 

VERSE 25. I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’

 

VERSE 26. “But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter.

 

VERSE 27. You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.

 

VERSE 28. Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.

 

VERSE 29. For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away.

Hebrews 6:8. but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

 

VERSE 30. Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

the outer darkness. The Lord Jesus Christ talks about Hades, Gehēnna, fire, and darkness. Christians often call those things Hell. Is Hell a location where people are sent? Or a state of being? Read more »

 

THE FINAL JUDGMENT

 

VERSE 31. “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

when the Son of Man comes. This is the moment when Jesus Christ returns in glory at the End of Time. Some believers call that the Parousia.

all the holy angels with him. At his triumphal return in glory, the LORD Jesus Christ will be accompanied by ALL the angels. How many is that? Read more »

The Bible speaks of the Armies of Heaven. They are mighty warrior angels led by Michael the Archangel. They battle against evil. Read more »

he will sit on the throne of his glory:

2 Chronicles 18:18. Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the LORD’s word: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the army of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

 

VERSE 32. Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

all the nations. The Greek word for “nations” is ἔθνη (“ethnē”). It means groups of almost any kind, but especially “peoples” or “nations.”

separates the sheep from the goats. The LORD God will gather all people. He will judge them, separating sheep from goats. The righteous people will be on his right; the wicked on his left. Read more »

 

VERSE 33. He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

right hand. The Bible often mentions “the right hand” of God. That is a position of power and honor. We believe it refers to Jesus Christ. More verses about the right hand.

his right hand … the left. The LORD God will gather all people. He will judge them, separating sheep from goats. The righteous people will be on his right; the wicked on his left. Read more »

 

VERSE 34. Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

the King. This refers to Jesus Christ.

inherit the Kingdom. Some people are good and faithful servants of the LORD God. They follow him wholeheartedly. God will say to them: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Read more »

 

VERSE 35. for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

Salvation is by faith. Yet our eternity will be based on how we treat the weakest members of society. Read more »

I was hungry. Most of us think fasting is about food. But the prophet Isaiah calls for TRUE fasting. It is to undo injustice and oppression. It is to feed and clothe poor people. Read more »

 

VERSE 36. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.’

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

This verse seems like a command! Would you consider acting on it? More commands of Jesus Christ from the Gospel According to Matthew and from the entire Bible.

Salvation is by faith. Yet our eternity will be based on how we treat the weakest members of society. Read more »

 

VERSE 37. “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?

the righteous. Those who innocently go about extending compassion to other people.

 

VERSE 38. When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?

 

VERSE 39. When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’

 

VERSE 40. “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

you did it to one of the least. In our day, cultures are increasingly based on hatred and rage. But the Lord Jesus Christ commands us to love our enemies. And bless them. Read more »

the least of these my brothers. Salvation is by faith. Yet our eternity will be based on how we treat the weakest members of society. Read more »

 

VERSE 41. Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;

the eternal fire. The Lord Jesus Christ talks about Hades, Gehēnna, fire, and darkness. Christians often call those things Hell. Is Hell a location where people are sent? Or a state of being? Read more »

The Lake of Fire is the first eternal destination in the Book of Revelation. It is portrayed as a literal place. People are thrown into it alive. Read more »

 

VERSE 42. for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;

 

VERSE 43. I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

 

VERSE 44 “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a str.anger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’

 

VERSE 45. “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’

Proverbs 17:5. Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

 

VERSE 46. These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

the righteous into eternal life. Some people are good and faithful servants of the LORD God. They follow him wholeheartedly. God will say to them: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Read more »

 


next chapter »

« previous chapter


MATTHEW

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Commands, Spirituality

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.