Bible/Matthew/25

Matthew 25:2

25:1 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.

KJV

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Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

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

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

25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

What does Matthew 25:2 mean?

Matthew 25:2 is a verse in the book of Matthew, in the New Testament. In the original Greek, key words include δέ (de), πέντε (pente), ἐκ (ek). It connects to 11 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Greek interlinear

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Andδέde/deh/G1161a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
fiveπέντεpente/pen'-teh/G4002a primary number; "five":--five.
ofἐκekG1537or ex ex a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
themαὐτόςautos/ow-tos'/G846from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
wereεἰμίen/ane/G2258imperfect of 1510; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
wise,φρόνιμοςphronimos/fron'-ee-mos/G5429from 5424; thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while 4680 denotes practical skill or acumen; and 4908 indicates rather intelligence or mental acquirement); in a bad sense conceited (also in the comparative):--wise(-r).
andκαίkai/kahee/G2532apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
fiveπέντεpente/pen'-teh/G4002a primary number; "five":--five.
were
foolish.μωρόςmoros/mo-ros'/G3474probably from the base of 3466; dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd:--fool(-ish, X -ishness).

Commentary on Matthew 25:2

HENRY_FULL · Matthew 25:2
e and diligence to get ready for Christ's second coming, which, in all his farewells to his church, mention was made of, as in that before he died ( John xiv. 2 ), in that at his ascension ( Acts i. 11 ), and in that at the shutting up of the canon of the scriptures, Rev. xxii. 20 . Now it concerns us to prepare for Christ's coming; I. That we may then be ready to attend upon him; and this is shown in the parable of the ten virgins, ver. 1-13 . II. That we may then be ready to give u our account to him; and this is shown in the parable of the three servants, ver. 14-30 . III. That we may then be ready to receive from him our final sentence, and that it may be to eternal life; and this is shown in a more plain description of the process of the last judgment, ver. 31-46 . These are things of awful consideration, because of everlasting concern to every one of us. The Parable of the Ten Virgins. 1 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

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Jeremiah 24:2

One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad. they: Heb. for badness

Matthew 7:24

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Matthew 13:19

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Matthew 13:38

The field is the world;1161 the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

Matthew 13:47

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

Matthew 13:48

Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

Matthew 22:10

So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

Matthew 22:11

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

1 Corinthians 10:1

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

1 John 2:19

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Jude 1:5

I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

Topics

BridegroomFoolsJudgmentMarriageOpportunityParablesProcrastinationResurrectionUnfaithfulnessVirginWoman

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Matthew 25:2.

Matthew 1:3

And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;

1 Corinthians 4:10

We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

Mark 13:17

But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

Matthew 1:11

And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: Josias: some read, Josias begat Jakim, and Jakim begat Jechonias

Matthew 1:16

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Matthew 1:18

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 1:19

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Matthew 1:2

Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

Frequently asked questions

What does Matthew 25:2 say?

Matthew 25:2 (King James Version) reads: "And five of them were wise, and five were foolish."

Is Matthew 25:2 in the Old or New Testament?

Matthew 25:2 is in the New Testament of the Bible, in the book of Matthew.

Reflect

As you read Matthew 25:2, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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