Matthew 25:8

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

And {G1161} the foolish {G3474} said {G2036} unto the wise {G5429}, Give {G1325} us {G2254} of {G1537} your {G5216} oil {G1637}; for {G3754} our {G2257} lamps {G2985} are gone out {G4570}.

The foolish ones said to the sensible ones, `Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.'

The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.

Commentary on Matthew 25:8 (KJV)

Matthew 25:8 is a pivotal line within the Parable of the Ten Virgins, a profound teaching by Jesus illustrating the critical importance of spiritual preparedness for His return. In this verse, the five "foolish" virgins realize their dire predicament: their lamps, essential for lighting the way for the approaching bridegroom, are failing.

Context of Matthew 25:8

This verse is set against the backdrop of ancient Jewish wedding customs, where the bridegroom's arrival, often late at night, was unexpected. The virgins (bridesmaids) were tasked with lighting the procession. The parable describes ten virgins, five of whom were wise and brought extra oil, and five who were foolish and did not. The cry, "the bridegroom cometh!" (Matthew 25:6), marks the moment of crisis, revealing the unpreparedness of the foolish. Their plea, "Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out," highlights their desperate, last-minute attempt to rectify their negligence as the time for the wedding feast draws near. This parable directly precedes Jesus' teaching on the timing of His second coming, emphasizing the need for constant watchfulness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spiritual Preparedness: The central theme. The oil in the lamps symbolizes the spiritual readiness required for the Lord's return. This isn't merely passive waiting but active maintenance of one's faith and relationship with God through consistent spiritual discipline.
  • Personal Responsibility: The wise virgins cannot share their oil because spiritual readiness is not transferable. Each individual is responsible for cultivating their own spiritual life and relationship with God. One cannot borrow faith, spiritual maturity, or good works from another in the moment of ultimate accountability.
  • Urgency and Finality: The phrase "our lamps are gone out" (or "are going out") signifies a critical moment of failure. When the need for light is greatest, their source is extinguished. This underscores the urgency of being prepared *before* the critical moment arrives, as opportunities for preparation may cease.
  • The Symbolism of Oil: While open to interpretation, "oil" is often understood to represent the Holy Spirit, genuine faith, or good works that emanate from a transformed heart. Without this "oil," the lamp of spiritual life cannot shine when it matters most.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "are gone out" is sbennuntai (σβέννυνται), which can mean "are being extinguished" or "are going out." It conveys a sense of ongoing failure or depletion rather than a sudden, immediate extinguishing. This subtle nuance emphasizes the gradual decline of their spiritual readiness due to neglect, culminating in a complete lack of light at the crucial moment. The request for "oil" (ἔλαιον - elaion) is a plea for the very essence of spiritual sustenance, which they failed to secure for themselves.

Practical Application

Matthew 25:8 serves as a potent reminder for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Live in Constant Readiness: We are to be like the wise virgins, not knowing the hour of Christ's return (Matthew 24:42), but always prepared. This involves a consistent walk of faith, obedience, and spiritual vigilance.
  • Cultivate Personal Faith: The inability to share oil highlights that our spiritual journey is deeply personal. We cannot rely on the faith of others, nor can we transfer our own spiritual vitality. Each person must nurture their own relationship with God through prayer, study of His Word (Psalm 119:105), and obedience.
  • Avoid Spiritual Complacency: The foolish virgins had lamps, but lacked the sustaining oil. This warns against outward displays of faith without inner spiritual reality. True preparedness is an ongoing state of heart and spirit, not a last-minute scramble.

Ultimately, this verse is a sobering call to ensure our spiritual lamps are always full and burning, ready for the glorious appearing of our Lord.

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.

  • Luke 12:35

    Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning;

  • Proverbs 13:9

    ¶ The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

  • Hebrews 4:1

    ¶ Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

  • Revelation 3:9

    Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

  • Luke 16:24

    And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

  • Job 21:17

    ¶ How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and [how oft] cometh their destruction upon them! [God] distributeth sorrows in his anger.

  • Job 8:13

    So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:

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