“Then [1] shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who, taking their lamps[2], went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. While the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept[3]. And at midnight there was a cry made: ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye forth to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed[4] their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise: ‘Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.’ The wise answered, saying: ‘Lest there be not enough for us and for you, go you, rather, to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.’
“Now, while they went[5] to buy, the bridegroom came, and they who were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last came also the other virgins, saying: ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he, answering, said: ‘Amen, I say to you, I know you not.’ [6] Watch ye, therefore, because ye know not the day nor the hour.” [7]
COMMENTARY.
The necessity of good works. The ten virgins represent the faithful in general. The bridegroom is our Lord: the marriage-feast is everlasting happiness: the arrival of the bridegroom signifies the judgment, both the particular judgment after death, and the general judgment at the end of time. It is the duty of all the faithful to be ever expecting the arrival of the Divine Bridegroom, who will come to take his own servants to the heavenly banquet. We must be ready to go with him at any time or moment. The wise virgins are those Christians who
- ↑ Then . i. e. when the time comes for the faithful to be admitted into the kingdom of heaven, it will be with them as it was with the ten virgins.
- ↑ Their lamps . Wedding-processions among the Jews usually took place in the evening, by torchlight.
- ↑ Slept. In the house where they awaited the arrival of the bridegroom.
- ↑ Trimmed. Pouring fresh oil into them, so that their light might burn brightly. The lamps of the foolish virgins gave a very dim light, because they had not enough oil in them.
- ↑ While they went. At that hour the shops were closed, and some time elapsed before those who kept them could open them and attend to the foolish virgins’ wants.
- ↑ I know you not. I cannot acknowledge you to be my servants. You are strangers to me, and have no claim to a share in the marriage-feast.
- ↑ The hour. When your bridegroom will come.
