Matthew 25:6

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

And {G1161} at midnight {G3319}{G3571} there was a cry {G2906} made {G1096}, Behold {G2400}, the bridegroom {G3566} cometh {G2064}; go ye out {G1831} to {G1519} meet {G529} him {G846}.

It was the middle of the night when the cry rang out, `The bridegroom is here! Go out to meet him!'

At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.

Matthew 25:6 (KJV): "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him."

Context of Matthew 25:6

This verse is a pivotal moment within the Parable of the Ten Virgins, found in Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus tells this parable as part of His Olivet Discourse, a series of teachings about the end times, His second coming, and the need for spiritual readiness. Immediately preceding this verse, the five wise and five foolish virgins have fallen asleep while waiting for the bridegroom. The "midnight cry" signifies the sudden, unexpected, and undeniable arrival of the bridegroom, who represents Jesus Christ.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Second Coming of Christ: The central message is the announcement of the bridegroom's arrival, which symbolizes the unexpected return of Jesus Christ. This event will be sudden and unmistakable.
  • Urgency and Readiness: The cry at "midnight" highlights the unpredictable timing of the Lord's return. It emphasizes the critical need for believers to be constantly vigilant and prepared, as the moment of His coming is unknown (Matthew 24:42).
  • Watchfulness and Vigilance: While all ten virgins were waiting, only those who were truly prepared with sufficient oil (representing spiritual readiness, faith, or good works) were ready to enter. The cry serves as a wake-up call, demanding immediate action and revealing who is truly ready for the Lord's coming.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "at midnight" (Greek: mesonuktion) powerfully conveys the idea of an inconvenient and unexpected time. It's the darkest part of the night, when one is least expecting an event, underscoring the suddenness of the bridegroom's arrival.
  • "There was a cry made" (Greek: kraugē egeneto) implies a loud, public, and undeniable announcement, ensuring that no one could miss the declaration of the bridegroom's approach. This isn't a whisper but a definitive proclamation.
  • The declaration "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him" is a direct command, calling for immediate response and action from those who are waiting.

Practical Application

Matthew 25:6 serves as a powerful reminder for all believers to live in a constant state of spiritual readiness. Just as the virgins were called to meet the bridegroom, Christians are called to be prepared for the return of Christ. This preparedness involves more than just belief; it encompasses a lifestyle of faithfulness, obedience, and active waiting, ensuring one has the "oil" (spiritual vitality and good deeds) necessary to enter into His presence. The verse urges us not to be complacent but to remain watchful, as the Lord's coming will be sudden and will demand an immediate response.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Peter 3:10

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

  • Matthew 25:1

    Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

  • John 5:28

    Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

  • John 5:29

    And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

  • Matthew 24:44

    Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

  • Matthew 24:31

    And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

  • Malachi 3:1

    ¶ Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
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