Matthew 25

Parable of the ten virgins

1 "Then*"Then"—this temporal adverb links the parable to the prior context, which is dealing with the Rapture (I think). Since the foolish ones are virgins, not prostitutes, and since they also had some oil (does the oil represent the Holy Spirit?), this parable may point to a partial rapture; only those who are ready are taken. the kingdom of the heavens will be like ten virgins who, taking their lamps, went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were prudent and five foolish. 3 Those who were foolish, taking their lamps, did not take [extra] oil with them, 4 but the prudent ones took oil in their vessels along with their lamps.*From verse 8 it is clear that they all had oil in the lamp, but even with the wick down low their lamps were lit (they wouldn’t wait in total darkness) and were burning oil (4-5 hours). So the delay of the bridegroom meant that the oil in the lamps was used up—the wise ones had extra oil. 5 Now while the bridegroom delayed they all dozed and slept, 6 but at midnight there was a shout: ‘Attention! The bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish ones said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the prudent ones answered saying, ‘No, in case there not be enough for you and us; instead, go to those who sell and buy for yourselves.’ 10 But while they went to buy, the bridegroom arrived, and the ones who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast—and the door was shut! 11 Later the other virgins arrived too saying, ‘Lord, lord, open for us!’ 12 But in answer he said, ‘Assuredly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Therefore, keep alert, because you do not know the day nor the hour in which the Son of the Man is coming.*About 11% of the Greek manuscripts omit "in which the Son of the Man is coming" (as in NIV, NASB, [LB], TEV, etc.).