Today I want to share with you one of Jesus' most fascinating stories called the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Jesus told this parable to help us understand how to be prepared for His return someday.

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This story appears only in Matthew's gospel and teaches us about being ready and watchful. Jesus told it during His final week in Jerusalem, as part of His teachings about the end times and what His followers should be doing while waiting for Him.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Chapter 1: The Wedding Custom

To understand this parable, we need to know a bit about ancient wedding customs. In those days, weddings were joyous celebrations that could last for days. One important part of the festivities was when the bridegroom would come to escort the bride and her attendants to the wedding feast, often at night.

Jesus began His story by saying: "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom" (Matthew 25:1). These ten young women had an important role in the wedding ceremony—they were to greet the bridegroom with their lamps when he arrived and join the procession to the feast.

The lamps they carried were likely oil lamps or torches that required olive oil to burn. These would light the way during the nighttime celebration and were essential for being part of the wedding procession. Without a burning lamp, you couldn't participate in the joyful event or enter the feast.

Chapter 2: Two Different Groups

Jesus immediately divided these ten virgins into two groups: "Five of them were foolish and five were wise" (Matthew 25:2). This distinction would prove crucial as the story unfolded. Both groups looked the same outwardly—all were invited attendants waiting for the bridegroom with lamps in hand.

But there was an important difference in their preparation: "The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps" (Matthew 25:3-4).

The wise virgins took extra oil in separate containers, anticipating that the wait might be longer than expected. The foolish ones only had the oil already in their lamps. They hadn't planned for a delay or considered what they would need for extended waiting.

This seemingly small detail—bringing or not bringing extra oil—would make all the difference in the outcome of the story. It revealed their different levels of foresight, preparation, and seriousness about their responsibility.

Chapter 3: The Unexpected Delay

The bridegroom was expected to come at a certain time, but something unusual happened: "The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep" (Matthew 25:5).

This delay was unexpected. Everyone—both the wise and foolish virgins—grew tired from waiting and eventually dozed off. Jesus didn't criticize them for sleeping; it was natural after waiting so long. The issue wasn't about staying awake physically but about being prepared for the bridegroom no matter when he arrived.

As they slept, their lamps continued burning, using up the oil they contained. The wise virgins could rest peacefully, knowing they had extra supplies. The foolish ones slept unaware of the problem they would soon face.

Chapter 4: The Midnight Call

The long silence was suddenly broken: "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'" (Matthew 25:6).

After hours of waiting, the announcement finally came—at midnight, the darkest part of the night when good lighting would be most needed. The sudden call startled everyone from their sleep.

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps" (Matthew 25:7). All ten women immediately prepared their lamps, adjusting the wicks to get the best flame. But as they did this, a problem became apparent for one group.

Chapter 5: The Crisis Moment

As the foolish virgins prepared their lamps, they made a terrible discovery: "The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out'" (Matthew 25:8).

Their lamps were sputtering and dimming because they'd used up their oil during the long wait. Now, at the critical moment when the bridegroom was coming, they weren't ready. In desperation, they turned to the wise virgins, asking to borrow some oil.

But the wise virgins couldn't help: "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves'" (Matthew 25:9).

This response might seem selfish, but it reflected practical reality. If they shared their oil, possibly none of them would have enough for the wedding procession. They wouldn't all make it to the feast. The wise virgins understood that some preparations can't be shared at the last minute.

Chapter 6: The Closed Door

With no other option, the foolish virgins had to leave at the worst possible time: "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut" (Matthew 25:10).

While the foolish virgins were away searching for oil in the middle of the night, the very thing they had been waiting for happened. The bridegroom came, and the prepared virgins joined the procession and entered the feast. Then, according to custom, the door was closed to mark the official beginning of the celebration.

When the unprepared virgins finally returned with their newly purchased oil, they faced a closed door: "Later the others also came. 'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!'" (Matthew 25:11).

But the bridegroom's response was firm: "But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you'" (Matthew 25:12).

In those days, wedding feasts were private celebrations for invited guests known to the hosts. These women had arrived too late and had missed their opportunity to be recognized as part of the wedding party. Their lack of preparation had cost them their place at the feast.

Chapter 7: The Important Warning

Jesus concluded this parable with a clear application: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" (Matthew 25:13).

The point of the story wasn't just to tell an interesting tale about a wedding. Jesus was teaching His followers about being prepared for His return. Since no one knows exactly when that will happen, we must always be ready.

The parable emphasizes that some preparations cannot be made at the last minute. The time to get ready is before the bridegroom arrives, not after the announcement of his coming.

What Can We Learn About The Parable of the Ten Virgins?

1. Preparation matters - The wise virgins thought ahead and brought extra oil. Some things in life require advance preparation and can't be borrowed or quickly obtained at the last moment.
2. Appearances can be deceiving - All ten virgins looked alike initially. All had lamps and all were waiting for the bridegroom. The crucial difference was invisible until the critical moment arrived.
3. Delays test our readiness - The bridegroom came later than expected, revealing who was truly prepared. Waiting periods often reveal the depth of our preparation and commitment.
4. Some opportunities come only once - Once the door closed, it did not reopen. The foolish virgins couldn't undo their lack of preparation, highlighting that some opportunities, once missed, don't come again.
5. Responsibility is personal - The wise virgins couldn't share their oil when the crisis came. This reminds us that some aspects of spiritual preparation are individual responsibilities that can't be borrowed from others.

5 Trivia Quiz about The Parable of the Ten Virgins for kids

In which gospel can we find the Parable of the Ten Virgins?

The Parable of the Ten Virgins is found only in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, verses 1-13. It doesn't appear in Mark, Luke, or John's gospels.

How many virgins were wise and how many were foolish?

Jesus divided the ten virgins exactly in half: five were wise and five were foolish. The wise ones brought extra oil, while the foolish ones didn't plan ahead.

What time did the bridegroom finally arrive?

The bridegroom arrived at midnight, when it was very dark and everyone had fallen asleep. This unexpected timing revealed who was truly prepared for his coming.

What did the foolish virgins ask from the wise virgins?

When their lamps were going out, the foolish virgins asked the wise ones, "Give us some of your oil." They hadn't brought enough oil to last through the long wait for the bridegroom.

What did Jesus say was the main lesson of this parable?

Jesus ended the parable by saying, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." The main lesson is about being prepared and watchful since we don't know exactly when Jesus will return.

If you enjoyed learning about the Parable of the Ten Virgins, next time I'd love to tell you about the Parable of the Talents, another story Jesus told about using wisely what God has given us while we wait for His return!

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