(45) Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the
least of these, ye did it not to me.
(46) And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.‖
25:1-2 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and
went forth to meet the bridegroom―(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.‖
The Kingdom parables were discussed in detail in the chapter 13 notes.
25:3-9 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them
―(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 cometh; 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 ye
rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.‖
Brief layout of the parable:
Lamps = your light must shine as a Believer – be an example to others
Oil = be filled with the Holy Spirit – make sure you are anointed
Wise virgins = some of the greater body of Believers will walk according to YHWH‘s ways
Foolish virgins = although they are also virgins, they are foolish and could not enter – many Believers think
they are on their way to Heaven but are actually on their way to Hell.
Bridegroom tarried = Y‘shua tarries, but will eventually come
Slumbered and slept = foolish virgins followed the main stream faith, rejecting the Torah and were deceived
Midnight cry = Messiah will come unexpectedly
Go out to meet Bridegroom = Have an expectation and seek Messiah‘s return
Door was shut = rapture to place and the heavenly door was shut (verse 10)
Went in with him to the marriage = true Believers join with Messiah Y‘shua in heaven for our wedding
Verily I say unto you, I know you not = repentance of the foolish will come too late
Ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh = Y‘shua will come unexpectedly
Oil in the Old Covenant is frequently used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, Ruach haKodesh. Kings and priests
were anointed with oil as a sign of their consecrated (Spirit-filled) lives. Zechariah the prophet was shown a
vision of a great golden lampstand (menorah) with two olive trees standing beside it. The trees dripped oil
into the bowls of the lampstand, and Zechariah was told: ―Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says
the LORD of hosts" (Zech 4:6). The oil symbolised the Spirit of YHWH by which the light of testimony could
be maintained in the hour of darkness.
Some ministry of the Spirit is then in view. The supreme ministry of the Spirit is to impart to men the
knowledge of Y‘shua. In John 16:13-14, Y‘shua said of him: ―When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide
you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his authority, but...will declare to you the things that are to
come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you." The Spirit's task, then, is to take
the Word of YHWH and through it reveal Y‘shua.
―When he comes, he will convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment" (John 16:8). Here
is a ministry of the Holy Spirit available to anyone who will search the Scriptures to know the truth. But it is
designed to take them deeper – into a fuller and permanent relationship that will involve the imparting of
divine life.
Others say the oil could also refer to the Torah, as the two cannot be separated (i.e., Romans, chapter 8)
See also note to verse 12 below.
Psalm 119:105-107: ―(105) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (106) I have sworn,
and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. (107) I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O
LORD, according unto thy word.‖
The parable of the virgins is meant to teach preparedness, a common theme in Judaism with regard to the
coming of God's Kingdom: