Matthew 25:5

KJV

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

KJV (with Strong's)

While {G1161} the bridegroom {G3566} tarried {G5549}, they all {G3956} slumbered {G3573} and {G2532} slept {G2518}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now the bridegroom was late, so they all went to sleep.

Berean Standard Bible

When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

American Standard Version

Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 25:5, nestled within the Parable of the Ten Virgins, describes a universal human response to a prolonged period of waiting: a descent into slumber. This verse highlights that both the wise and foolish virgins, representing those awaiting the Lord's return, succumbed to sleep while the bridegroom's arrival was delayed, setting the stage for the crucial distinction that would later emerge based on their prior preparedness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the Parable of the Ten Virgins, found in [Matthew 25:1-13](/matthew/25-1-13 "Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins"). This parable is the first of three eschatological parables Jesus delivers in the Olivet Discourse, following His detailed prophecies about the end times in [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse"). The immediate context is Jesus' teaching on the necessity of vigilance and preparedness for His Second Coming, emphasizing that the timing of His return is unknown and will be sudden. The preceding verses introduce the ten virgins, their lamps, and the oil, establishing the elements crucial for understanding their state of readiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable draws on common Jewish wedding customs of Jesus' day. A wedding typically involved a procession where the bridegroom, often accompanied by his friends, would come at night to the bride's house to take her to his own home for the wedding feast. Young women (virgins or bridesmaids) would often join this procession, lighting the way with lamps. The "tarrying" of the bridegroom was not uncommon, as the exact timing of his arrival could be unpredictable, sometimes extending late into the night or even the early morning hours. This cultural backdrop underscores the natural tendency to grow weary and fall asleep during such a prolonged, uncertain wait.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 25:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Olivet Discourse and the broader book of Matthew. The most prominent theme is **Vigilance and Preparedness** for the Lord's return, a concept explicitly commanded in [Matthew 24:42](/matthew/24-42 "Matthew 24:42 - Be Ready"). The "tarrying" of the bridegroom introduces the theme of **Delay**, which tests the endurance and genuine readiness of those awaiting. This delay leads to the **Universal Slumber**, illustrating a common human inclination to relax or become complacent over time, even among those who are genuinely awaiting an important event. This verse subtly sets up the critical distinction between true readiness (having oil) and superficial appearance (having only a lamp), which is revealed when the sudden call comes in [Matthew 25:6](/matthew/25-6 "Matthew 25:6 - The Call at Midnight").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **tarried (Greek, _chronízō'_):** From _chronos_ (time), this verb means "to take time," "to linger," or "to delay." It emphasizes a prolonged period of waiting, indicating that the bridegroom's arrival was not immediate but extended over a significant duration, testing the patience and endurance of those awaiting him.
* **slumbered (Greek, _nystázō'_):** This word describes an initial state of drowsiness, nodding off, or dozing. It implies a gradual onset of sleep, a natural human response to weariness and a prolonged wait, suggesting that the virgins did not immediately fall into a deep sleep but first experienced a lighter form of rest.
* **slept (Greek, _katheúdō'_):** This term signifies a deeper, more profound state of sleep, "to lie down to rest." It indicates that the initial "slumbering" progressed to a full, unconscious sleep, highlighting the depth of their rest during the bridegroom's extended delay. The use of both terms "slumbered and slept" emphasizes the completeness of their repose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"While the bridegroom tarried":** This clause establishes the primary condition and catalyst for the virgins' subsequent actions. The delay of the bridegroom is an external factor, beyond the control of the virgins, and it serves as a test of their endurance and preparedness. It underscores the unpredictable nature of the timing of the Lord's return, which is a key theme in Jesus' eschatological discourse.
* **"they all slumbered":** This phrase indicates the initial, universal response to the prolonged wait. "They all" explicitly includes both the wise and the foolish virgins, demonstrating that falling into a state of drowsiness was a natural, shared human experience. It suggests a lessening of immediate vigilance, a natural consequence of extended waiting.
* **"and slept.":** This final phrase indicates the progression from a light slumber to a deeper, more complete state of unconscious sleep. The conjunction "and" links the two states, emphasizing that the drowsiness eventually led to full sleep for every single virgin. This universal sleep sets the stage for the crucial distinction that will emerge not from who slept, but from who was prepared before they slept.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 25:5 effectively employs several literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "bridegroom" symbolizing Christ, and the "virgins" representing believers awaiting His return. Their "slumbering and sleeping" can be seen as symbolic of spiritual complacency or a natural human tendency to relax vigilance during a prolonged period of waiting for the Lord's Second Coming. The "tarrying" of the bridegroom is a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the long period between Christ's first and second comings, a delay that would challenge the early church's expectation of an imminent return. There is also an element of **Irony** in that all ten virgins, despite their different levels of preparedness, share the same immediate human response to the delay, highlighting that the critical difference lies not in their temporary state of rest, but in their underlying spiritual readiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 25:5 powerfully underscores the reality of the "delay" in the Lord's return, a concept that has challenged believers throughout church history. It teaches that while a natural human tendency to "slumber and sleep" (i.e., to become less acutely vigilant or to rest during prolonged waiting) may occur, this does not absolve believers of the responsibility to maintain spiritual preparedness. The verse highlights that the critical distinction between the wise and foolish virgins was not their shared sleep, but their prior readiness—specifically, the presence or absence of sufficient "oil," symbolizing spiritual readiness, faith, and good works. This points to the ongoing need for a vibrant, sustained relationship with God, rather than a last-minute scramble for spiritual resources.

* [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord's Patience")
* [Romans 13:11](/romans/13-11 "Romans 13:11 - Wake Up from Sleep")
* [Luke 12:35-36](/luke/12-35-36 "Luke 12:35-36 - Be Ready Like Servants Awaiting Their Master")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 25:5 serves as a profound mirror for our own spiritual lives. In a world that often demands immediate gratification, the concept of "tarrying" can be particularly challenging. This verse reminds us that the Christian journey is not always a sprint; it often involves periods of waiting, which can test our patience and reveal the true depth of our commitment. While it's natural to experience seasons of spiritual quiet or even a decrease in intense vigilance, the parable's ultimate message is a strong caution against complacency that leads to unpreparedness. The key is to ensure that our spiritual "oil"—our faith, our relationship with Christ, our obedience, and our good works—is continually replenished and sufficient, even during times when the "bridegroom" seems delayed. We are called to live in a state of ongoing, active expectation, ensuring that we are spiritually ready for His sudden appearance, rather than being caught off guard like the foolish virgins.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your spiritual life might you be "slumbering" or "sleeping" when you should be more vigilant?**
* **How do you maintain spiritual readiness and "oil" during periods when God's timing seems to "tarry" or when you feel weary in waiting?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper, more consistent state of spiritual preparedness, regardless of external circumstances or perceived delays?**

### FAQ
**Does "slumbered and slept" imply sin or a lack of faith for the wise virgins too?**

Answer: No, the "slumbering and sleeping" of all the virgins, including the wise ones, does not inherently imply sin or a lack of faith. The Greek words used (_nystázō_ for slumbered and _katheúdō_ for slept) describe a natural human state of rest or weariness, especially after a prolonged wait. The parable's critical distinction between the wise and foolish virgins is not that some slept and others didn't, but rather what they had prepared *before* they slept. The wise virgins had extra oil for their lamps ([Matthew 25:4](/matthew/25-4 "Matthew 25:4 - The Wise Virgins' Preparedness")), indicating their foresight and readiness, even if they, like all humans, succumbed to the natural fatigue of waiting. The point is not to avoid sleep, but to be prepared *before* the need arises, as the time of the bridegroom's arrival is unknown ([Matthew 25:13](/matthew/25-13 "Matthew 25:13 - Watch Therefore")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 25:5, in its depiction of the bridegroom's tarrying and the universal slumber, finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the reality of Jesus' first and second comings. Jesus is the ultimate "Bridegroom" ([John 3:29](/john/3-29 "John 3:29 - John the Baptist on the Bridegroom")), who came to earth, inaugurated His kingdom, and then ascended to heaven, promising His return ([Acts 1:11](/acts/1-11 "Acts 1:11 - The Ascension and Promise of Return")). The "tarrying" represents the entire church age, the period between His ascension and His glorious Second Coming, a time that has stretched far longer than many early believers might have anticipated ([2 Peter 3:3-4](/2_peter/3-3-4 "2 Peter 3:3-4 - Scoffers and the Promise of Christ's Coming")). The universal "slumbering and sleeping" among the virgins, both wise and foolish, illustrates the human tendency to grow weary or complacent during this extended wait. Yet, the parable's ultimate message, anchored in Christ, is the imperative for His followers to remain spiritually vigilant and prepared, not because they can avoid the natural human inclination to rest, but because their ultimate hope and salvation are found in Him, the one who will return unexpectedly to gather His prepared bride ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")). Our readiness is a reflection of our ongoing relationship with Him, the source of our "oil," ensuring we are found faithful when He appears in glory ([Philippians 1:6](/philippians/1-6 "Philippians 1:6 - God Will Complete His Work")).

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

Habakkuk 2:3

For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

1 Thessalonians 5:6

¶ Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.

1 Thessalonians 5:8

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

2 Peter 3:4

And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.

2 Peter 3:9

¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Matthew 24:48

But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

Luke 20:9

¶ Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.