Matthew 25:4

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

But {G1161} the wise {G5429} took {G2983} oil {G1637} in {G1722} their {G846} vessels {G30} with {G3326} their {G846} lamps {G2985}.

whereas the others took flasks of oil with their lamps.

But the wise ones took oil in flasks along with their lamps.

but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Commentary

Matthew 25:4 is a pivotal verse within Jesus's Parable of the Ten Virgins, found in the 25th chapter of Matthew's Gospel. This verse highlights the foresight and diligence of the "wise" virgins.

Context

This parable is part of Jesus's eschatological discourse, often called the Olivet Discourse, where He teaches His disciples about the signs of the end times and the need for readiness for His second coming. Following warnings about false prophets and tribulation in Matthew 24, Jesus uses this parable to emphasize the importance of preparedness. In ancient Jewish wedding customs, the bridegroom would come at an unexpected hour to take his bride and her attendants (virgins) to the wedding feast. The virgins were expected to light the way with lamps, making the availability of oil critical.

Key Themes

  • Prudence and Foresight: The "wise" virgins demonstrated practical wisdom (Greek: phronimoi) by anticipating a potential delay of the bridegroom and bringing extra oil. This contrasts sharply with the foolish virgins who brought only enough for immediate use, lacking foresight.
  • Preparedness for Christ's Return: The central message is the necessity of being spiritually ready for the Lord's return. The oil often symbolizes the Holy Spirit, faith, or a life of active obedience and spiritual readiness, which cannot be acquired last-minute.
  • Personal Responsibility: Each virgin was responsible for her own supply of oil. This underscores that spiritual preparedness is a personal matter; one cannot borrow or transfer their spiritual readiness to another.
  • Vigilance and Watchfulness: The parable urges believers to remain vigilant and watchful, as the timing of the Lord's coming is unknown. This echoes Jesus's earlier exhortations to "watch therefore".

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "wise" is phronimoi (φρόνιμοι), which denotes practical wisdom, prudence, and shrewdness in discerning what is right and acting accordingly, rather than mere intellectual knowledge. It signifies a person who thinks ahead and plans for the future. The "oil" (Greek: elaion, ἔλαιον), while a common commodity, holds significant symbolic weight in biblical contexts, often representing divine anointing, the presence of the Holy Spirit (as seen in Luke 11:13), or the spiritual life that sustains one's faith.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. It calls for a proactive and ongoing spiritual walk, not just a superficial profession of faith. Being "wise" means cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God through prayer, studying His Word, and living in obedience, so that when the Lord returns, one is found ready and filled with the "oil" of the Spirit. It emphasizes that salvation is not merely a one-time decision but a continuous state of spiritual readiness that cannot be borrowed or rushed into at the last moment. The consequences of unpreparedness, as shown later in the parable (Matthew 25:12), are severe.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 8:9 (6 votes)

    But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

  • 1 John 2:27 (5 votes)

    But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  • John 3:34 (4 votes)

    For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure [unto him].

  • Galatians 5:22 (3 votes)

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  • Galatians 5:23 (3 votes)

    Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

  • 1 John 2:20 (3 votes)

    ¶ But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

  • Psalms 45:7 (3 votes)

    Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.