Matthew 25

Matthew 25 contains three key parables that highlight themes of readiness, stewardship, and judgment in the context of the end times. Jesus uses these stories to emphasize the need for vigilance, faithful service, and preparation for His return. Through the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the Parable of the Talents, and the account of the Sheep and the Goats, Jesus warns His followers to be spiritually prepared and to live in a way that reflects His teachings.

Matthew 25:1 (NKJV)
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”

Jesus begins the parable of the ten virgins, using the virgins as a symbol of people who outwardly profess faith and are waiting for the return of Christ, as virgins are traditionally associated with purity. The lamp in the parable represents the knowledge of God’s word, which guides people on their spiritual journey, much like light illuminates the path. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” showing that God’s word provides direction and clarity in life. However, the lamp alone is not enough for the virgins to meet the bridegroom. The essential element missing for the foolish virgins is the oil, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit and a personal, ongoing relationship with God. The wise virgins, who have both the lamp (the knowledge of God’s word) and the oil (the inner work of the Holy Spirit), are ready for the bridegroom's return, while the foolish virgins, despite their outward profession, lack the necessary spiritual preparedness. This emphasizes that it is not enough to merely possess knowledge of the word of God; true readiness for Christ's return requires a living, active faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit, which keeps the believer's spiritual life alive and ready for His coming.

Matthew 25:2-4 (NKJV)
2 “Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”

Jesus contrasts the wise and foolish virgins. The wise virgins not only have oil in their lamps but also brought extra oil in their vessels, signifying a genuine, abiding relationship with God, sustained by the Holy Spirit, and a preparedness that endures. The foolish virgins, however, only had a small amount of oil in their lamps and did not bring any extra oil, revealing their lack of true spiritual preparation. This illustrates that mere outward profession or a surface-level faith is insufficient. True readiness for Christ's return requires a genuine, real relationship with God—one that is continuously nurtured and deepened, with the Holy Spirit actively at work in the believer's life.

Matthew 25:5-6 (NKJV)
5 “But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’”

The delay of the bridegroom’s coming represents the period between Christ’s first and second coming, during which time believers may experience spiritual slumber or discouragement, especially in the face of trials. The "midnight" cry signals a moment of great darkness, possibly a time of trouble or crisis, when the world is in spiritual decline and believers face significant challenges. Midnight, as the darkest hour, symbolizes a time when hope seems distant, and the return of Christ may seem delayed. However, the cry at midnight is a wake-up call, urging all to be spiritually awake and prepared, even in times of great difficulty or uncertainty. It emphasizes that Christ will return unexpectedly, and His coming will bring both judgment and salvation, reminding believers to remain vigilant and ready at all times, even in the midst of trouble.

Matthew 25:7-9 (NKJV)
7 “Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’”

As the cry announces the bridegroom’s arrival, all the virgins wake up to prepare their lamps. The wise virgins, having brought extra oil in their vessels, are ready for the bridegroom’s coming, but the foolish virgins, whose oil has run out, realize they are unprepared. The oil running out symbolizes the departure of the Holy Spirit from the foolish virgins, indicating they no longer have the spiritual readiness needed to meet the bridegroom. When the foolish virgins ask the wise virgins for oil, the wise virgins explain that they cannot share, as the oil represents a personal, abiding relationship with God and the Holy Spirit’s work in one’s life. Spiritual preparedness is individual; no one can rely on another’s faith to be ready for Christ’s return. The passage emphasizes that the Holy Spirit cannot be borrowed or transferred, and those who neglect their relationship with God risk being unprepared when Christ returns. The oil running out during the darkest hour underscores the time of trouble when it will be too late to prepare, and those without the Holy Spirit will be locked out, unable to enter into the wedding feast.

Matthew 25:10-13 (NKJV)
10 “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’
12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

The closed door symbolizes the finality of judgment. The foolish virgins’ plea echoes a cry for mercy, but they are denied entry due to their lack of preparation. Jesus emphasizes vigilance, as no one knows the exact time of His return, urging believers to live in a constant state of readiness.

Matthew 25:14-15 (NKJV)
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.”

The master in this parable represents Christ, and the talents given symbolize God-given abilities and resources. The allocation according to each servant’s ability shows God’s understanding of individual capacity and His expectation that each believer will be faithful in managing what has been entrusted to them.

Matthew 25:16-18 (NKJV)
16 “Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.”

The servants’ actions illustrate different responses to the resources given by God. The first two servants invest and multiply their talents, symbolizing faithful stewardship, while the third servant’s choice to hide the talent shows a failure to take responsibility, reflecting fear or laziness.

Matthew 25:19-23 (NKJV)
19 “After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
23 His lord said to 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.’”

The master’s commendation of the first two servants shows God’s delight in faithful service. By using their talents wisely, they earned their master’s praise and were rewarded with greater responsibilities. This highlights the principle that faithful stewardship results in God’s approval and future blessings.

Matthew 25:24-28 (NKJV)
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

The servant who had received the one talent describes his master as harsh, reaping where he has not sown and gathering where he has not scattered seed, using this perception as an excuse for burying his master's money instead of investing it. The master rebukes the servant, emphasizing that even if the servant believed him to be harsh and demanding, he should have at least put the money in the bank to earn interest. This response not only points out the servant's failure to take even minimal action but also suggests that the servant may be using his fear of the master's harshness as an excuse for his laziness and inactivity, thus projecting blame onto the master's character to justify his own inaction. This dialogue highlights the themes of responsibility and the importance of actively managing and maximizing the resources entrusted to one, regardless of one's personal apprehensions or negative assumptions about others.

Matthew 25:29-30 (NKJV)
29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

This passage serves as the conclusion of the Parable of the Talents, emphasizing a principle of reward and consequence. The passage states, "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away." This reflects a fundamental lesson about the use of resources: those who effectively utilize their talents and opportunities are granted more, while those who do nothing with their gifts will find even their little taken away. The unproductive servant is cast out into the outer darkness, representing severe punishment and isolation, highlighting the harsh consequences of inactivity and fear-driven negligence.

Matthew 25:31-33 (NKJV)
31 “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.
32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.”

This final section portrays the Final Judgment, where Jesus, as King, separates people like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. He positions the righteous 'sheep' on His right, signifying favor and salvation, while the 'goats', representing those who failed to follow God's will, are placed on His left, indicating disfavor and impending judgment.

Matthew 25:34-40 (NKJV)
34 “Then the King will say to those 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 hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

This passage depicts Jesus at the Final Judgment commending the righteous, telling them they have inherited the kingdom because they served Him by caring for the needy. He explains that acts of kindness to the hungry, thirsty, strangers, the naked, the sick, and prisoners are regarded as acts done directly to Him. This teaching emphasizes the deep spiritual connection Jesus feels with the marginalized, asserting that service to the needy is service to Christ Himself. Through this metaphor, Jesus underlines the Christian duty to express faith through tangible acts of compassion, reinforcing that such deeds are not only moral responsibilities but central to spiritual life and relationship with Him.

Matthew 25:41-46 (NKJV)
41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;
43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
44 Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’
45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

This passage starkly contrasts the blessings given to the righteous with the severe warnings for those on the left, whom Jesus calls "cursed" and commands to depart into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. This passage highlights the critical role of active compassion and mercy in one’s life, equating neglect of the needy—such as the hungry, thirsty, strangers, the naked, the sick, and prisoners—with neglecting Christ Himself. Jesus emphasizes that genuine faith is manifested through tangible acts of kindness, integral to one’s relationship with Him. He further clarifies that salvation stems not just from intellectual belief or religious observance but is deeply tied to the spirit of compassion and love He imparts. The mention of "everlasting fire" signifies total destruction and annihilation, suggesting that its consequences are permanent, leading to the complete eradication of sin and sinners, often described as the "second death" or being "thrown into the lake of fire." This interpretation highlights the final and irreversible nature of sin’s consequences, emphasizing the thoroughness of God’s just and merciful judgment.