Matthew 25:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} five {G4002} of {G1537} them {G846} were {G2258} wise {G5429}, and {G2532} five {G4002} were foolish {G3474}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Five of them were foolish and five were sensible.

Berean Standard Bible

Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 25:2 introduces the central dichotomy within the Parable of the Ten Virgins, immediately establishing the two distinct groups of participants: five who are characterized by wisdom and five by foolishness. This verse sets the stage for the parable's unfolding narrative, which illustrates the critical importance of spiritual preparedness and vigilance in anticipation of the Bridegroom's arrival, a clear metaphor for the second coming of Christ. It highlights a fundamental division among those who outwardly appear to be awaiting the same event, revealing an internal difference in their state of readiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 25:2 is the second verse of the [Parable of the Ten Virgins](/matthew/25-1-13 "Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins"), which Jesus delivers as part of His extensive Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25). This discourse is Jesus' final major public teaching before His passion, focusing on eschatological themes, including the destruction of the temple, the signs of the end times, and His own return. The parable immediately follows Jesus' exhortations for His disciples to be watchful and ready, as the Son of Man will come at an unexpected hour ([Matthew 24:42-44](/matthew/24-42-44 "Matthew 24:42-44 - Be Ready for the Son of Man's Coming")). It precedes the [Parable of the Talents](/matthew/25-14-30 "Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents") and the description of the [judgment of the nations](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations"), all of which underscore the themes of accountability, stewardship, and readiness for Christ's return.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable draws heavily on ancient Jewish wedding customs, which were central social and religious events. Weddings typically involved a procession where the bridegroom, accompanied by his friends, would come at night to the bride's house (or a designated meeting place) to escort her and her bridesmaids (the virgins) to the wedding feast at his own home. The bridesmaids were expected to light the way with lamps, often oil lamps, making their presence and light essential for the procession. The arrival of the bridegroom was often unpredictable, sometimes occurring late into the night, requiring the bridal party to be prepared for an extended wait. This cultural backdrop makes the need for extra oil a practical and understandable necessity for those who were truly prepared for any delay.
* **Key Themes:** The verse, by directly contrasting "wise" and "foolish," introduces several key themes that permeate the entire parable and the broader Olivet Discourse. The most prominent theme is **preparedness and vigilance**, emphasizing that true faith is not merely a profession but an active state of readiness for the Lord's return, which will occur at an unknown time ([Matthew 24:36](/matthew/24-36 "Matthew 24:36 - No One Knows the Day or Hour")). This preparedness involves **personal responsibility**, as the wise virgins could not share their oil, symbolizing that one cannot borrow spiritual resources, salvation, or a genuine relationship with God from another. The parable also highlights the distinction between **true wisdom and spiritual foolishness**, where wisdom is characterized by foresight and practical action in light of future realities, while foolishness is marked by complacency, shortsightedness, and a lack of diligent preparation for the long haul. These themes resonate with Jesus' consistent calls for discipleship that involves endurance and faithfulness until the end ([Matthew 24:13](/matthew/24-13 "Matthew 24:13 - Perseverance to the End")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wise (Greek, _phrónimos'_):** From the Greek φρόνιμος (phrónimos), this term denotes practical wisdom, prudence, and foresight. It describes a sagacious or discreet character, implying a cautious and thoughtful approach. Unlike mere intellectual knowledge (σοφός, _sophos_), _phrónimos_ emphasizes the ability to apply understanding to anticipate future needs and act accordingly. In this context, it refers to those who possessed the practical foresight to bring extra oil, understanding the implications of a potentially delayed arrival of the bridegroom.
* **Foolish (Greek, _mōrós'_):** From the Greek μωρός (mōrós), this word signifies dullness, stupidity, thoughtlessness, or imprudence. It is the root of the English word "moron." The foolish virgins were not necessarily malicious, but they were heedless and lacked the necessary foresight and diligence to prepare adequately for a crucial event. Their foolishness was a moral and spiritual shortsightedness, failing to account for the possibility of delay and thus neglecting to secure the essential resources for sustained readiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And five of them were wise":** This clause immediately establishes one half of the group as possessing a crucial quality: wisdom. In the context of the parable, this wisdom is not merely intellectual but practical and anticipatory. It signifies that these five virgins understood the potential for delay and took proactive steps to ensure they would be ready whenever the bridegroom arrived. Their wisdom is demonstrated by their preparedness, specifically by bringing extra oil for their lamps, indicating a deep understanding of the requirements for the journey and the uncertain timing of the event.
* **"and five [were] foolish":** This parallel clause introduces the other half of the group, characterized by foolishness. This foolishness is a stark contrast to wisdom, representing a lack of foresight, prudence, and diligent preparation. These five virgins, despite having lamps and initially joining the waiting party, neglected to bring the necessary extra oil. Their oversight reveals a spiritual complacency or shortsightedness, a failure to anticipate the demands of the wait and the critical importance of sustained readiness for the bridegroom's unexpected arrival. This distinction sets up the narrative tension and the ultimate outcome of the parable.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Antithesis** by directly contrasting "wise" and "foolish," immediately establishing a binary opposition that drives the parable's central message. This stark contrast highlights the critical difference in spiritual states among those who outwardly appear to be in the same situation of waiting. Additionally, the number "five" for each group creates a sense of **Balance** and **Symmetry**, making the division clear and emphasizing that both groups are equally represented in number, yet fundamentally divergent in their inner disposition and preparedness. This numerical balance underscores the universal applicability of the parable's lesson, suggesting that the division between the prepared and unprepared exists within the broader community of believers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 25:2, by segmenting the virgins into "wise" and "foolish," lays the groundwork for a profound theological truth: genuine faith is evidenced by active, sustained preparedness for the return of Christ. This distinction is not about outward appearance or initial enthusiasm, but about the inward reality of one's spiritual state and the practical steps taken to maintain readiness. The "oil" in the lamps, often interpreted as the Holy Spirit, a living relationship with Christ, or the fruit of a Spirit-filled life, cannot be shared or acquired at the last minute. This underscores the personal and non-transferable nature of salvation and spiritual maturity, emphasizing that each individual is solely responsible for their own spiritual vigilance and readiness before God. The verse thus serves as a powerful reminder that while many may profess faith, only those who are truly prepared will enter into the joy of the Lord.

* [Luke 12:35-36](/luke/12-35-36 "Luke 12:35-36 - Be Ready for the Master's Return")
* [Philippians 2:12](/philippians/2-12 "Philippians 2:12 - Work Out Your Own Salvation")
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 25:2 serves as a timeless call to introspection, prompting believers to honestly assess their spiritual condition and preparedness for Christ's return. The stark division between the wise and the foolish virgins challenges us to move beyond mere outward profession of faith to a deep, internal, and active state of readiness. Are our "lamps" truly burning brightly, fueled by a consistent and growing relationship with Christ, regular spiritual disciplines, and obedience to His Word? Or are we complacent, relying on past experiences or the faith of others, neglecting the ongoing cultivation of our spiritual lives? This verse urges us to live with an eternal perspective, making daily choices that reflect our anticipation of the Bridegroom's unexpected arrival, ensuring that our spiritual "oil" is abundant and sustained through any period of waiting. It is a sober reminder that readiness is not a one-time event but a continuous posture of the heart and life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be acting "foolishly" by neglecting spiritual preparation for the long term?**
* **What does "having enough oil" practically look like in my daily walk with Christ?**
* **How does the unpredictable timing of Christ's return motivate or challenge my current spiritual disciplines and priorities?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "five wise" and "five foolish" virgins?**

Answer: The division into "five wise" and "five foolish" is significant because it highlights a fundamental distinction within a group that outwardly appears to be homogenous and awaiting the same event. It underscores that not all who profess to be followers of Christ, or who are part of the visible church, are truly prepared for His return. The "wise" represent those who possess genuine spiritual foresight and maintain a state of readiness through diligent preparation (symbolized by having extra oil), while the "foolish" represent those who lack such foresight and are spiritually negligent, leading to their exclusion from the wedding feast. This numerical split emphasizes that the issue of preparedness is a personal responsibility, and a significant portion of those awaiting the Lord may be found wanting when He finally arrives, as seen in the broader context of the [Parable of the Ten Virgins](/matthew/25-1-13 "Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Matthew 25:2 directly describes the virgins, its profound Christ-centered fulfillment lies in how the parable, beginning with this distinction, points to Jesus as the ultimate Bridegroom and the one for whom all true believers must be prepared. The "wise" virgins, by their readiness, exemplify those who have truly embraced Christ's call to discipleship and have been filled with the Spirit, anticipating His glorious return. Their preparedness reflects a life lived in union with Christ, drawing from His inexhaustible grace and righteousness. Conversely, the "foolish" represent those who, despite outward association, lack the vital, indwelling presence of Christ and His Spirit, which is the true "oil" for sustained spiritual life. The ultimate fulfillment of this verse is seen in Christ Himself, who is the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") to whom the wise are united in the eternal wedding feast of heaven ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Wedding Supper of the Lamb")). He is the source of all true wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")) and the one who empowers His followers to live wisely and be ready for His unexpected coming, ensuring they are not found foolish but are welcomed into His eternal presence ([Matthew 24:44](/matthew/24-44 "Matthew 24:44 - Be Ready, for the Son of Man is Coming")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

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 Corinthians 10:5

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

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 13:23

But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

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.

Matthew 13:47

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