Parables of Jesus - Parable of the Ten Virgins

Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

King James Version (KJV)

25 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 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.

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 cometh.

This parable of the Ten Virgins also teaches us, how to be prepared at the day of coming of Jesus. Jesus told that those who were ready and made all the efforts to be received were accepted and those who were not prepared were refused to be accepted and they were sent out saying "I know you not." In proverbs chapter 1: when Wisdom calls out in the streets and the fools who rejects it - this is what happens - 

24 But since you rejected me when I called 
and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand,
25 since you ignored all my advice 
and would not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster; 
I will mock when calamity overtakes you-
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, 
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, 
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer; 
they will look for me but will not find me.
29 Since they hated knowledge 
and did not choose to fear the LORD,
30 since they would not accept my advice 
and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways 
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, 
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety 
and be at ease, without fear of harm."


In the parable, the 5 virgins were wise: these are the characteristics - 

• They took initiative, to be prepared, being pro-active - 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
• They took proper rest, They discerned the time, They were resistant to the change -  5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
• They were calm and dedicated, they were not disrupted - .6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him
• They were Assertive, they were able to say YES to YES and NO to NO with the proper reason- 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.
• They attained the goal by being watchful -  the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Have a Blessed Day Ahead