Not quite; they waited until they got a message saying "He's coming now." (verse 6)
But the emphasis is on being prepared to do what the Master requires.
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what is the explanation of parable of ten virgins?
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Not quite; they waited until they got a message saying "He's coming now." (verse 6)
But the emphasis is on being prepared to do what the Master requires.
ewq1938 wrote:
"Consider the oil like how much faith one has."
The problem here is that it makes an assumption about what the extra oil is supposed to represent, if anything. It could just be part of the story.
This is why I think it safer to look at the other parables in the sequence since we know what they say. There may be ambiguity about what is meant by talents but we do know they are something God gives us that we can put to good use.
"Consider the oil like how much faith one has."
The problem here is that it makes an assumption about what the extra oil is supposed to represent, if anything. It could just be part of the story.
This is why I think it safer to look at the other parables in the sequence since we know what they say. There may be ambiguity about what is meant by talents but we do know they are something God gives us that we can put to good use.
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WherevertheWindblows
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Heres a few verses which might be helpful to the topic, has the same sort of language in spots
Prov 20:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
2 Cr 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Since thy word is a lamp to my feet and being likened to a foolish man is one that hears his sayings and does them not
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Building upon the rock (the sure foundation) would be twofold, coming to him (and hearing his sayings and doing them)
The former would be a hearer of the word ( and not a doer) deceiving only themselves James 1:23 versus those who hear the word which is a lamp to their feet (and does them) who are considered wise.
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
The Holy Ghost is given them that obey him, we are to be filled with the Spirit, put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit etc. At this time it says,
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps,
And again,
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
...and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
So again here it says,
2 Cr 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
And even as it says,
Prov 20:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
So it also says the foolish man "spendeth it up"
Prov 29:3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
Likewise it also says,
Prov 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
And here lamps are gone out
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Says the lamp of the wicked shall be put out as we see their lamps have gone out just as it also says in Psalm 101:4 the forward heart would depart from him and that I will not know a wicked person. Just as in Mat 7:23 he tells them he does not know them and to depart from him that work iniquity.
Also, saying Lord, Lord in these places seem to imply a double mindedness being disobedient to what he says, even as Jesus asks,
Luke 6:6 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Lord, Lord, again
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Just as those counted as "foolish" hear my sayings but do not the things which he says. In respects to knowing them not,
Paul says,
The Lord knoweth them that are His,... 2 Titus 2:19
But in the case of the foolish,
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Likewise it says here,
Psalms 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Which is similarly expressed here...
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Which is likely why Paul said,
2 Titus 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
So you have one that says, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. And the other no one wants to hear him say to them, when he shall say, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. And working iniquity is shown in both.
These seem in accord with the foundation of "hearing and doing" His words (in respects to the foolish or the wise) as his word is a lamp, and obeying the Holy Ghost and walking in the Spirit.
Prov 20:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
2 Cr 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Since thy word is a lamp to my feet and being likened to a foolish man is one that hears his sayings and does them not
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Building upon the rock (the sure foundation) would be twofold, coming to him (and hearing his sayings and doing them)
The former would be a hearer of the word ( and not a doer) deceiving only themselves James 1:23 versus those who hear the word which is a lamp to their feet (and does them) who are considered wise.
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
The Holy Ghost is given them that obey him, we are to be filled with the Spirit, put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit etc. At this time it says,
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps,
And again,
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
...and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
So again here it says,
2 Cr 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
And even as it says,
Prov 20:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
So it also says the foolish man "spendeth it up"
Prov 29:3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
Likewise it also says,
Prov 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
And here lamps are gone out
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Says the lamp of the wicked shall be put out as we see their lamps have gone out just as it also says in Psalm 101:4 the forward heart would depart from him and that I will not know a wicked person. Just as in Mat 7:23 he tells them he does not know them and to depart from him that work iniquity.
Also, saying Lord, Lord in these places seem to imply a double mindedness being disobedient to what he says, even as Jesus asks,
Luke 6:6 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Lord, Lord, again
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Just as those counted as "foolish" hear my sayings but do not the things which he says. In respects to knowing them not,
Paul says,
The Lord knoweth them that are His,... 2 Titus 2:19
But in the case of the foolish,
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Likewise it says here,
Psalms 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
Which is similarly expressed here...
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Which is likely why Paul said,
2 Titus 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
So you have one that says, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. And the other no one wants to hear him say to them, when he shall say, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. And working iniquity is shown in both.
These seem in accord with the foundation of "hearing and doing" His words (in respects to the foolish or the wise) as his word is a lamp, and obeying the Holy Ghost and walking in the Spirit.
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The kingdom is like ten virgins who went
And took their lamps to a wedding event
Five were foolish and five were wise
The wise took oil perhaps pint-size
The foolish took none they didn't prepare
For the groom took his time before he got there
They all became drowsy and fell asleep.
No sound was heard, no not a peep
Till midnight did come and someone cried out.
"Here's the bridegroom. You must come out!"
The virgins woke up only to find
The wise could see while the foolish were blind
For they used up the oil they needed to see
They had taken the journey much too carefree
They asked the wise to give them some
But the wise told them where they could buy some from
But while they journeyed to buy the oil
The groom arrived which wasted their toil
For the wise went in and the door was shut closed
The foolish could not enter as they had supposed
They said, "Sir, Open the door for us too!"
But he replied, "I don't know you."
Therefore keep watch, let the Spirit empower.
For you do not know the day or the hour.
From The Bible Rap series
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The ten virgins symbolize all Christians who are in line for or who profess to be in line for the heavenly Kingdom. (Matthew 25:1) It was at Pentecost 33 C.E. that the Christian congregation was promised in marriage to the resurrected, glorified Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. But the marriage was to take place in heaven at some unspecified time in the future.
In the illustration, the ten virgins go out with the purpose of welcoming the bridegroom and of joining the wedding procession. When he arrives, they will light the processional route with their lamps, thus honoring him as he brings his bride to the house prepared for her.
The extended delay of the bridegroom indicates that Christ’s presence as ruling King is to be in the distant future. Just prior to coming to his throne, all the virgins were asleep. But they are not condemned for this. The condemnation of the foolish virgins is for their not having oil for their receptacles.
The oil symbolizes that which keeps true Christians shining as illuminators. This is the inspired Word of God, on which Christians keep a tight grip, together with the holy spirit, which helps them to understand that Word. The spiritual oil enables the discreet virgins to shed forth light in welcoming the bridegroom during the procession to the marriage feast. But the foolish virgin class do not have in themselves, in their receptacles, the needed spiritual oil.
After Christ arrives in his heavenly Kingdom, the discreet virgin class of true anointed Christians awake to their privilege of shedding light in this darkened world in praise of the returned Bridegroom. But those pictured by the foolish virgins are unprepared to provide this welcoming praise. So when the time comes, Christ does not open the door to the marriage feast in heaven to them. He leaves them outside in the blackness of the world’s deepest night, to perish with all other workers of lawlessness
In the illustration, the ten virgins go out with the purpose of welcoming the bridegroom and of joining the wedding procession. When he arrives, they will light the processional route with their lamps, thus honoring him as he brings his bride to the house prepared for her.
The extended delay of the bridegroom indicates that Christ’s presence as ruling King is to be in the distant future. Just prior to coming to his throne, all the virgins were asleep. But they are not condemned for this. The condemnation of the foolish virgins is for their not having oil for their receptacles.
The oil symbolizes that which keeps true Christians shining as illuminators. This is the inspired Word of God, on which Christians keep a tight grip, together with the holy spirit, which helps them to understand that Word. The spiritual oil enables the discreet virgins to shed forth light in welcoming the bridegroom during the procession to the marriage feast. But the foolish virgin class do not have in themselves, in their receptacles, the needed spiritual oil.
After Christ arrives in his heavenly Kingdom, the discreet virgin class of true anointed Christians awake to their privilege of shedding light in this darkened world in praise of the returned Bridegroom. But those pictured by the foolish virgins are unprepared to provide this welcoming praise. So when the time comes, Christ does not open the door to the marriage feast in heaven to them. He leaves them outside in the blackness of the world’s deepest night, to perish with all other workers of lawlessness
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Hmm Mark51
Again what the oil symbolizes (if anything) is assumed without any direct support from the biblical text. An early church interpretation is given but what was Jesus' message to the original audience?
If it is allegorical why stop at the oil? What do the lamps represent or the dealers in oil?
It is safest to take this as a warning to stay alert when waiting for the coming of God (addressed to Israel) and/or to the coming of Christ (addressed to the church).
Again what the oil symbolizes (if anything) is assumed without any direct support from the biblical text. An early church interpretation is given but what was Jesus' message to the original audience?
If it is allegorical why stop at the oil? What do the lamps represent or the dealers in oil?
It is safest to take this as a warning to stay alert when waiting for the coming of God (addressed to Israel) and/or to the coming of Christ (addressed to the church).
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Close. The flame would be that illumination. The oil is the flame's fuel. So what else would fuel the light in Christians than faith in Christ?
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The parable does not refer to extra oil, just to oil.
Matthew 25:3-4: For when the foolish took their lamps (αἱ γὰρ μωραὶ λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας), they didn’t take oil with them (οὐκ ἔλαβον μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν ἔλαιον); but the wise ones took oil in their flasks (αἱ δὲ φρόνιμοι ἔλαβον ἔλαιον ἐν τοῖς ἀγγείοις) with their lamps (μετὰ τῶν λαμπάδων ἑαυτῶν).
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Matt5
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According to Islamic prophecy, the Mahdi and Jesus arrive and work together to force Islam on the entire world. Join Islam or die. Our foolish virgins (Christians) get fooled (suckered) by the fake Jesus and join Islam. Smart virgins hide out or accept death. Meanwhile, the real Jesus shows up a few years later. He is not happy with those who joined Islam - team Satan.
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mnphysicist
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The lamps had to have oil in them when they departed, as verse 7 and 8 talks about trimming their wicks and their lamps flickering. If there is no oil in the lamp, you can't trim the wick, and there is no way it could flicker.
Therefore oil in their flasks is additional oil beyond what was in the lamp itself, or at absolute minimum, what oil was left in a saturated wick.
The parable would have to be rewritten such that the 5 foolish virgins could not light their lamps if they did not take any oil with them.
The scriptures are not precise legal language nor engineering specifications, they are simply the words of the people.
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Pointless attempt at point scoring through unhelpful nit-picking.
All ten maidens had oil in their lamps but only five of them had oil in their flasks. That is obviously what is meant when I referred to "extra oil".
Did I assert that "extra oil" is in the biblical text? No I did not!
(The GNB uses "extra oil " in 25:3)
Please try to make any further contribution constructive e.g. not pointless criticism of the GNB. Have I asserted anything about its quality? I believe some Christians still use it though.
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Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.
Mt 25:13 NASB
But then you'll know better than the NASB translators won't you!
(or maybe not)
keep watch,
Γρηγορεῖτε (Grēgoreite)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's Greek 1127: (a) I am awake (in the night), watch, (b) I am watchful, on the alert, vigilant. From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch.
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Not at all. In this particular story, where the "lamps" appear to be being used outdoors, the "lamps" are probably torches of wood with cloth wrapped on the end.
In John 18:3 the same word is generally translated "torches."
There is actually no reference to "wicks" or "flickering" in the passage. Verse 7 says:
Then all those virgins rose (τότε ἠγέρθησαν πᾶσαι αἱ παρθένοι ἐκεῖναι) and trimmed/prepared/arranged their lamps (καὶ ἐκόσμησαν τὰς λαμπάδας ἑαυτῶν).
The verb there is this one. Verse 8 says:
And the foolish said to the wise (αἱ δὲ μωραὶ ταῖς φρονίμοις εἶπαν), ‘Give us some of your oil (δότε ἡμῖν ἐκ τοῦ ἐλαίου ὑμῶν), for our lamps are going out (ὅτι αἱ λαμπάδες ἡμῶν σβέννυνται).’
The verb there is this one. It does not mean "flickering."
Yes, but the words are in Greek. You need an accurate translation, like the ESV or the CSB.
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I don't think that's inconsistent with what I said. To take some other passages with the same verb:
1 Corinthians 16:13: Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Colossians 4:2: Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
1 Peter 5:8: Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Revelation 3:2: Be alert and strengthen what remains, which is about to die, for I have not found your works complete before my God.
Revelation 16:15: “Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is alert and remains clothed so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame.”
These passages may offer an indication as to what "being watchful" looks like for the Christian.
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com7fy8
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"the" explanation . . . 
I hope I'm humble not to suppose I can give "the" explanation. But maybe I can give part
Right now, I'm thinking > how I was just thinking . . . ok, I forgot.
Oh yes >
The wise virgins were attentive to their groom. They took care of being ready for him, even though they did what is practical. They got some sleep, but while doing what was attentive to their groom.
Like this, we need to keep attentive to Jesus our Groom. Even though we might do some practical things > we are destined to be conformed to the image of Jesus > Romans 8:29 < so this needs our attention, in prayer and seeking God for real and deep correction of our character (Hebrews 12:4-14). And stay with our priority of our ministry > like how Paul labored for us to be perfected in Jesus > Colossians 1:28-29; and any of us can minister God's own grace > 1 Peter 4:9-10, Ephesians 4:29 < this is how important every one of us is, as the fiancée of Christ. We are helping one another to grow in the grace of how God's love cures our character, and how God's grace has us relating in His own love.
This love makes us more and more maturely all-loving > "if you love those who love you, what reward have you?" (in Matthew 5:46)
So, our Groom greatly desires for us to become loving like Jesus on the cross (Ephesians 5:2) and now Jesus in Heaven. So we become compatible with our Groom so we are ready to spend all eternity with Him. Do we really think we are going to spend eternity with someone we do not get along with ? ? ? ?
"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)
So, yes wash the dishes, enjoy your spouse, walk the doggie, send money so children can have wells of clean water; but keep attentive to becoming how Jesus wants us to be in sharing with Him and one another, as His family.
How we are and how we relate has a lot to do with this. So, yes we need to stop certain no-no immoral things and arguing and complaining and other wrong activities, but we especially need to be changed by God so we will be pleasing to our Father, like Jesus is so pleasing, for all eternity.
I hope I'm humble not to suppose I can give "the" explanation. But maybe I can give part Right now, I'm thinking > how I was just thinking . . . ok, I forgot.
Oh yes >
The wise virgins were attentive to their groom. They took care of being ready for him, even though they did what is practical. They got some sleep, but while doing what was attentive to their groom.
Like this, we need to keep attentive to Jesus our Groom. Even though we might do some practical things > we are destined to be conformed to the image of Jesus > Romans 8:29 < so this needs our attention, in prayer and seeking God for real and deep correction of our character (Hebrews 12:4-14). And stay with our priority of our ministry > like how Paul labored for us to be perfected in Jesus > Colossians 1:28-29; and any of us can minister God's own grace > 1 Peter 4:9-10, Ephesians 4:29 < this is how important every one of us is, as the fiancée of Christ. We are helping one another to grow in the grace of how God's love cures our character, and how God's grace has us relating in His own love.
This love makes us more and more maturely all-loving > "if you love those who love you, what reward have you?" (in Matthew 5:46)
So, our Groom greatly desires for us to become loving like Jesus on the cross (Ephesians 5:2) and now Jesus in Heaven. So we become compatible with our Groom so we are ready to spend all eternity with Him. Do we really think we are going to spend eternity with someone we do not get along with ? ? ? ?
"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:17)
So, yes wash the dishes, enjoy your spouse, walk the doggie, send money so children can have wells of clean water; but keep attentive to becoming how Jesus wants us to be in sharing with Him and one another, as His family.
How we are and how we relate has a lot to do with this. So, yes we need to stop certain no-no immoral things and arguing and complaining and other wrong activities, but we especially need to be changed by God so we will be pleasing to our Father, like Jesus is so pleasing, for all eternity.
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The Church is the Bride of Christ. As I guy, I don't see myself as the "fiancée of Christ."
And I don't think the virgins in this parable were brides of the groom; he was not getting married to ten women at once.
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Who gets married at midnight? Back in that day, a marriage consisted of not only the ceremony but also the reception afterwards.
And why call it midnight? Everywhere else the Greek word is just translated to indicate it's dark outside. Would merchants back then have been open for business at midnight; sort of like an ancient 24-hour convenience store?
Also, it's curious that the bridegroom didn't recognize those five girls; unless of course they were friends of the bride whom he'd never met.
I think there's an elephant in the middle of the room that we're overlooking. The girls were unprepared, that's true, but in my estimation their biggest mistake was in leaving the scene. Their priorities were not in order. The marriage was far more important then their lamps
_
Who gets married at midnight? Back in that day, a marriage consisted of not only the ceremony but also the reception afterwards.
And why call it midnight? Everywhere else the Greek word is just translated to indicate it's dark outside. Would merchants back then have been open for business at midnight; sort of like an ancient 24-hour convenience store?
Also, it's curious that the bridegroom didn't recognize those five girls; unless of course they were friends of the bride whom he'd never met.
I think there's an elephant in the middle of the room that we're overlooking. The girls were unprepared, that's true, but in my estimation their biggest mistake was in leaving the scene. Their priorities were not in order. The marriage was far more important then their lamps
_
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Except what you did was criticise my use of "alert" stating that "prepared" was preferable even though your view does not accord with the meaning of the relevant Greek word.
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