1Then the kingdom of the heavens will be likened to ten virgins who, having taken their torches, went out to meet the bridegroom. [25:2] Five of them were foolish and five were wise. [25:3] For the foolish, having taken their torches, did not take oil with them, [25:4] but the wise took oil in their vessels with their torches. [25:5] As the bridegroom was tarrying, they all became drowsy and were sleeping. [25:6] Then at the middle of the night a cry went out: 'Behold, the bridegroom — go out to meet him!' [25:7] Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their torches. [25:8] And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our torches are going out.' [25:9] But the wise answered, saying, 'Otherwise it may not suffice for us and for you. Go rather to those who sell and buy for yourselves.' [25:10] While they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. [25:11] Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us!' [25:12] And answering, he said: 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.' [25:13] Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man comes.
MAT 25:1-13
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Jewish wedding customs, the arrival of the bridegroom was a central event, often occurring at night and requiring attendants to meet him with torches . These torches, distinct from small indoor lamps, were essential for the procession and symbolized readiness and honor. The ten virgins in the parable represent young unmarried women, likely part of the bridal party, tasked with welcoming the bridegroom. The distinction between the 'foolish' and 'wise' virgins hinges on their preparedness. The foolish ones, lacking foresight, bring only their torches without extra oil, while the wise bring both torches and vessels of oil, demonstrating prudence and anticipation of delay. The bridegroom’s tardiness reflects a common feature of such celebrations, where timing was fluid and unpredictable. The exclusion of the unprepared virgins underscores the cultural expectation of vigilance and the severe consequences of failing to meet communal obligations in a society governed by honor-shame dynamics.
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How other translations render this
MAT 25:1
- KJV
- Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
- BSB
- “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
- Koinōnos
- Then the kingdom of the heavens will be likened to ten virgins who, having taken their torches, went out to meet the bridegroom.
MAT 25:2
- KJV
- And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
- BSB
- Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
- Koinōnos
- Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
MAT 25:3
- KJV
- They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
- BSB
- The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil.
- Koinōnos
- For the foolish, having taken their torches, did not take oil with them,
MAT 25:4
- KJV
- But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
- BSB
- But the wise ones took oil in flasks along with their lamps.
- Koinōnos
- but the wise took oil in their vessels with their torches.
MAT 25:5
- KJV
- While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
- BSB
- When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
- Koinōnos
- As the bridegroom was tarrying, they all became drowsy and were sleeping.
MAT 25:6
- KJV
- And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
- BSB
- At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
- Koinōnos
- Then at the middle of the night a cry went out: 'Behold, the bridegroom — go out to meet him!
MAT 25:7
- KJV
- Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
- BSB
- Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
- Koinōnos
- Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their torches.
MAT 25:8
- KJV
- And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
- BSB
- The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
- Koinōnos
- And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our torches are going out.
MAT 25:9
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- ‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
- Koinōnos
- But the wise answered, saying, 'Otherwise it may not suffice for us and for you. Go rather to those who sell and buy for yourselves.
MAT 25:10
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.
- Koinōnos
- While they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.
MAT 25:11
- KJV
- Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
- BSB
- Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’
- Koinōnos
- Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us!
MAT 25:12
- KJV
- But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
- BSB
- But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
- Koinōnos
- And answering, he said: 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.
MAT 25:13
- KJV
- Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
- BSB
- Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
- Koinōnos
- Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man comes.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 25:1
- virgins:The word translated 'virgins' here refers to young, unmarried women, often of marriageable age, who would typically be part of a wedding procession or celebration.
- lamps:The term translated 'lamps' refers to torches, which would have been essential for illumination during a nighttime procession, rather than small, indoor oil lamps.
MAT 25:2
- foolish:The word translated 'foolish' describes someone who is dull-witted or stupid, lacking practical wisdom and good judgment, rather than merely silly or unwise.
MAT 25:4
- the wise:The word translated 'the wise' describes individuals who are sensible, prudent, and possess practical understanding, demonstrating good judgment in their actions.