Matthew Chapter 25

From The Open Bible Project

25:1 "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to receive the bridegroom.

• (1) We must desire strength from God’s hand which may serve us as a torch while we walk through this darkness, to bring us to our desired end: otherwise, if we become slothful and negligent because we are weary of our pains and travail, we shall be kept from entering the doors.
• (a) The phrase here translated "to receive" was eis apantesin, which was a specialized term (actually a prepositional phrase rather than an infinitive) referring to going out to receive and usher in a dignitary, occuring three times in the NT. The second use of this exact phrase is Acts 28:15, in which some citizens of Rome come out and meet Paul's entourage at the Appii forum on his visit to Rome. The final occurrence is in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, where it refers to receiving the coming of Jesus.
• (b) The pomp of weddings was usually preferred to be done at night, and that by young unmarried women.

25:2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

25:3 Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,

25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

25:5 Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

• (c) Their eyes being heavy with sleep.

25:6 But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!'

25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and [120>]trimmed their lamps.[<120]

25:8 The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

25:9 But the wise answered, saying, 'What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'

25:10 While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.

25:11 Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.'

25:12 But he answered, 'Most certainly I tell you, I don't know you.'

25:13 Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

25:14 "For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them.

• (2) Christ witnesses that there will be a long time between his departure to his Father and his coming again to us, but yet notwithstanding that, he will at that day take an account not only of the rebellious and obstinate, how they have made use of that which they received from him, but also of his household servants, who have because of slothfulness not employed those gifts which he bestowed upon them.

25:15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.

• (d) According to the wisdom and skill in dealing which was given to them.

25:16 Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

25:17 In like manner he also who got the two gained another two.

25:18 But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

25:19 "Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them.

25:20 He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.'

25:21 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

• (e) Come and receive the fruit of my goodness: now the Lord’s joy is doubled; see John 15:11: that my joy may remain in you, and your joy be fulfilled.

25:22 "He also who got the two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.'

25:23 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

25:24 "He also who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter.

25:25 I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.'

25:26 "But his lord answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn't sow, and gather where I didn't scatter.

25:27 You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.

• (f) Bankers who have their shops or tables set up abroad, where they lend money at interest. Usury or loaning money at interest is strictly forbidden by the Bible, (Exodus 22:25-27); Deuteronomy 23:19,20). Even a rate as low as one per cent interest was disallowed, (Nehemiah 5:11). This servant had already told two lies. First he said the master was an austere or harsh man. This is a lie for the Lord is merciful and gracious. Next he called his master a thief because he reaped where he did not sow. Finally the master said to him sarcastically why did you not add insult to injury and loan the money out at interest so you could call your master a "usurer" too! If the servant had done this, his master would have been responsible for his servant’s actions and guilty of usury.

25:28 Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.

25:29 For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn't have, even that which he has will be taken away.

25:30 Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

25:31 "But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.

• (3) A graphic setting forth of the everlasting judgment which is to come.

25:32 Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

25:33 He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

25:34 Then the King will tell those on his right hand, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

• (g) Blessed and happy, upon whom my Father has most abundantly bestowed his benefits.

25:35 for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in.

25:36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me.'

25:37 "Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink?

25:38 When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?

25:39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?'

25:40 "The King will answer them, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my [121>]brothers[<121], you did it to me.'

25:41 Then he will say also to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;

25:42 for I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;

25:43 I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in; naked, and you didn't clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'

25:44 "Then they will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you?'

25:45 "Then he will answer them, saying, 'Most certainly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.'

25:46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."