PER305

Parable of the Ten Virgins

The parable of the ten young women teaches the importance of spiritual preparation for the Lord's return, illustrating two possible outcomes: being ready and entering with the Bridegroom, or arriving too late and finding the door shut.

9 min parable ten virgins vigilance 12 verses 3 books

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Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew 25.1-13 (King James Version)

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

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.

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.

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Mark

Mark (King James Version) not cited in the book

Luke

Luke (King James Version) not cited in the book

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Location: The opposite Jerusalem

Date: Wednesday, March 30, AD 33, in the evening

Method: We continue with Matthew

Note on the method: Matthew is the only one to report this

The Messiah Jesus, on the , delivers a discourse on the end times and adds another about 10 young women.

Comments

This belongs to the great eschatological discourse delivered by Jesus on the . This teaching is addressed only to the apostles: the crowd had long since dispersed.

The of the ten virgins highlights the need to be ready for the Lord's return. Five of them are called wise, because they had set aside a reserve of oil — a symbol of a living, well-tended spiritual life. The other five, called foolish, made no provision for the duration of the wait (Matthew 25.1-4).

The Bridegroom deliberately delays, in order to test everyone's vigilance and faith (Matthew 25.5). But when the midnight cry rings out, the difference between those who are ready and those who are not becomes clear (Matthew 25.6-7). The oil cannot be shared, for no one can transfer his personal relationship with God (Matthew 25.8-9). The prudent virgins enter with the Bridegroom, while the others find the door shut, a reminder of the gravity of judgment (Matthew 25.10-12).

Jesus concludes with a solemn call to vigilance, for no one knows either the day or the hour of his return (Matthew 25.13). This warning echoes the one addressed to the faithful servant (Matthew 24.45-51) as well as the caution against those who say “Lord, Lord” without obeying his will (Matthew 7.21-23). The whole New Testament takes up this call to watchfulness and sobriety while awaiting Christ (1 Thessalonians 5.1-6; 1 Peter 1.13; Revelation 3.1-3).

Every human being's future flows from his or her choices. There are only two outcomes: to enter with the Bridegroom or to arrive too late. Responsibility rests with each person, for spiritual neglect shuts the door. The message is unequivocal: everyone knows what God expects of them — so we must choose whom to serve and prepare starting now. The tone is serious, and the warning deserves the greatest attention.

Parabole des dix jeunes filles. La parabole des dix jeunes filles enseigne l'importance de la préparation spirituelle pour le retour du Seigneur, illustrant deux issues possibles : être prêt et entrer avec l'Époux, ou arriver trop tard et trouver la porte fermée. Commentaires. Cette parabole s’inscrit dans le grand discours eschatologique prononcé par Jésus sur le mont des Oliviers. Cet enseignement s’adresse uniquement aux apôtres : la foule s’est déjà dispersée depuis longtemps. La parabole des dix vierges met en lumière la nécessité d’être prêt pour le retour du Seigneur. Cinq d’entre elles sont qualifiées de sages, car elles ont prévu de l’huile en réserve — symbole d’une vie spirituelle vivante et entretenue. Les cinq autres, qualifiées d’insensées, n’ont rien anticipé pour la durée de l’attente (Matthieu 25, versets 1 à 4). L’Époux tarde volontairement, afin d’éprouver la vigilance et la foi de chacun (Matthieu 25, verset 5). Mais lorsque retentit le cri de minuit, la différence apparaît clairement entre celles qui sont prêtes et celles qui ne le sont pas (Matthieu 25, versets 6 à 7). L’huile ne peut être partagée, car nul ne peut transmettre sa relation personnelle avec Dieu (Matthieu 25, versets 8 à 9). Les vierges prudentes entrent avec l’Époux, tandis que les autres trouvent la porte close, rappelant la gravité du jugement (Matthieu 25, versets 10 à 12). Jésus conclut par un appel solennel à la vigilance, car nul ne connaît ni le jour ni l’heure de son retour (Matthieu 25, verset 13). Cet avertissement fait écho à celui adressé au serviteur fidèle (Matthieu 24, versets 45 à 51) ainsi qu’à la mise en garde contre ceux qui disent “Seigneur, Seigneur” sans obéir à sa volonté (Matthieu 7, versets 21 à 23). Tout le Nouveau Testament reprend cet appel à la veille et à la sobriété dans l’attente du Christ (1 Thessaloniciens 5, versets 1 à 6; 1 Pierre 1, verset 13; Apocalypse 3, versets 1 à 3). L’avenir de chaque être humain découle de ses choix. Il n’existe que deux issues : entrer avec l’Époux ou arriver trop tard. La responsabilité revient à chacun, car la négligence spirituelle ferme la porte. Le message est sans équivoque : chacun sait ce que Dieu attend de lui — il faut donc choisir qui servir et se préparer dès maintenant. Le ton est sérieux, et l’avertissement mérite la plus grande attention.