THE CONTEXT OF MATTHEW 25
Matthew 25 is situated between Christ's description of the Tribulation and His Second Coming (Mt. 24; Rev. 6-19), and His 1000 year Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 20).
THE TEXT OF MATTHEW 25
[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 is coming; 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 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 comes.
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14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. [15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his ability; and straightway took his journey. [16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made another five talents. [17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained another two. [18] But he that had received one went and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money. [19] After a long time, the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. [20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. [21] His lord said unto him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord. [22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two more talents beside them. [23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your lord. [24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not strawed (processed): [25] And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the earth: lo, there you have that (which) is yours. [26] His lord answered and said unto him, You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed (processed): [27] You ought therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. [28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him who has ten talents. [29] For unto every one that has (more) shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that has not (increased my goods) shall be taken away even that which he has. [30] And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
[31] When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: [32] And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats: [33] And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. [34] Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: [35] For I was an hungry, and you gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and you took Me in: [36] Naked, and you clothed Me: I was sick, and you visited Me: I was in prison, and you came unto Me. [37] Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we You an hungry, and fed You? Or thirsty, and gave You drink? [38] When saw we You a stranger, and took You in? Or naked, and clothed You? [39] Or when saw we You sick, or in prison, and came unto You? [40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me. [41] Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: [42] For I was hungry, and you gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and you gave Me no drink: [43] I was a stranger, and you took Me not in: naked, and you clothed Me not: sick, and in prison, and you visited Me not. [44] Then shall they also answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we You hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto You? [45] Then shall He answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to Me. [46] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal (see note below).
AN INTERPRETIVE OUTLINE OF THE CHAPTER
Verses 1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins.
Verses 14-30 - The Parable of His Servants' Stewardship.
Verses 31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations.
SOME OBSERVATIONS OF THE THREE DIVISIONS OF THE CHAPTER
The Parable of the Ten Virgins -
According to Jewish custom, some time after the couple became betrothed (engaged), the husband-to-be would go back to his father's house, and the would prepare a place for himself and his wife to live following the wedding ceremony. John's Gospel speaks of this:
John 14:1-3 - [1] Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me. [2] In My Father's house are many mansions (dwelling places): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
I believe the virgins represent those who have not "married" themselves to false gods. As in verse 19, the bridegroom was gone a long time; so long, in fact, that they all fell asleep! But half of them, believing the bridegroom could return at any time, including at night, kept in reserve oil for their lamps. Because believers are the light of the world (Ephesians 5:8), and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:17), many believe the oil represents the Holy Spirit. I am not sure, in that all ten had oil at one time, and the Holy Spirit seals believers permanently (Eph. 1:13; 4:30). I lean more to the idea that the Word of God is the "light" that guides believers (Ps. 119:105). Satan believes in God, but he does not live for Him (Jam. 2:17-20). True believers are "light-bearers" to those who are lost (pun intended). The "professing virgins" were religious, but had no relationship with the bridegroom (verse 12).
The Parable of the Servants' Stewardship -
This passage is quite clear: the landowner gives his servants responsibilities according to their abilities; he "fires" (pun intended) those who fail to increase what he gave them.
The Judgment of the Nations -
This passage is also clear: Jesus will separate the living Gentiles into two groups; those who treated His brethren (Israel) well during the Tribulation, from those who were apathetic toward them (failure to stand against tyranny, is the same as being complicit with it!). Those who persecuted them will have been killed at the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:13-16)! Those who are living, and who cared for His brethren, will be allowed to enter Christ's Kingdom. Note: "the righteous" are not part of the Church, which was removed prior to the Tribulation, but are those, both Jew and Gentile, who have received Christ during the Tribulation (2 Cor. 5:21)!
IF YOU ARE NOT A BORN AGAIN BELIEVER IN JESUS,
AND YOU MANAGE TO SURVIVE THE SEVEN-YEAR TRIBULATION,
MAKE SURE YOU DO ALL YOU CAN TO CARE FOR THE LORD'S BRETHREN!
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