The Parable of the Ten Virgins: A Call to Vigilant Readiness
Among the profound teachings of Jesus concerning His second coming, the Parable of the Ten Virgins stands as a stark and urgent warning. Recorded in Matthew 25:1-13, this parable immediately follows the Olivet Discourse, where Christ meticulously outlines the signs preceding His return and emphasizes the necessity of watchfulness. The parable serves not merely as a narrative, but as a vivid illustration of the spiritual state required for those who await the Bridegroom's arrival.
The Lord Jesus begins:
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Here, the "kingdom of heaven" refers to the sphere of Christ's rule, particularly as it relates to His second advent and the judgment that accompanies it. The "ten virgins" represent professing believers—those who outwardly anticipate the Lord's return. All ten share a common expectation, a common appearance, and a common purpose: to meet the bridegroom. Their lamps signify their outward profession of faith, their visible religious practice, or their testimony before the world.
The Essential Distinction: Lamps and Oil
While all ten virgins had lamps, a crucial difference immediately emerges:
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
This distinction between the foolish and the wise lies in the presence or absence of "oil." What does this oil symbolize? Biblically, oil often represents the Holy Spirit. For example, in Zechariah 4:6, the prophet is told, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." The anointing oil used in the Old Testament symbolized God's divine empowerment and presence. Therefore, the oil in this parable signifies the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, genuine spiritual life, and true regeneration. It is the inner reality of faith, as opposed to mere outward profession.
The foolish virgins had lamps (outward profession), but no oil (no inner spiritual life). They had the form of godliness but lacked its power (2 Timothy 3:5). The wise virgins, however, possessed both the lamp and the oil—an outward testimony rooted in an inward, living relationship with God through the Spirit.
The Delay, The Slumber, and The Sudden Cry
The parable continues to unfold, revealing the circumstances surrounding the Bridegroom's arrival:
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
The "tarrying" of the bridegroom speaks to the delay of Christ's second coming, a period of time that has now spanned millennia. During this delay, "they all slumbered and slept." This does not necessarily imply spiritual negligence for the wise, but rather the natural human experience of time passing and the general relaxation of vigilance that can occur over a prolonged wait. It may also represent the sleep of death for believers across generations, who await resurrection at His coming.
The "midnight cry" signifies the sudden, unexpected, and unmistakable return of Christ. It is a moment of immediate awakening and action. At this critical juncture, all the virgins, both wise and foolish, arose and began to "trim their lamps." This suggests a final preparation, an attempt to make their light shine brightly for the approaching Bridegroom.
The Irreplaceable Oil and the Futility of Borrowing
It is at this point that the fundamental difference between the wise and the foolish becomes tragically evident:
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
The lamps of the foolish virgins, lacking the essential oil, were "gone out"—their outward profession was revealed as hollow and unsustainable. In their panic, they sought to borrow from the wise. This highlights a critical truth: salvation, genuine faith, and the indwelling Holy Spirit cannot be borrowed or transferred. No one can rely on another's faith, spiritual experience, or relationship with God. Each individual must possess their own oil, their own personal relationship with Christ.
The wise virgins' refusal was not selfish, but a recognition of spiritual reality. One cannot impart true spiritual life to another. The instruction to "go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves" is not an endorsement of salvation by works or purchase, but rather a sharp, ironic rebuke. It underscores the impossibility of acquiring true spiritual life at the last moment, when the opportunity for genuine repentance and faith has passed. There is no time to "buy" the oil of the Spirit when the Bridegroom is already at the door.
The Shut Door and the Ultimate Rejection
The climax of the parable carries a chilling weight:
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
The foolish virgins, in their desperate attempt to secure what they had neglected, missed the crucial moment. The Bridegroom arrived, and "they that were ready went in with him to the marriage." This signifies the true believers entering into the eternal fellowship and joy of Christ's kingdom. But then, "the door was shut." This imagery powerfully conveys the finality of judgment and the absolute closure of opportunity. Once Christ returns, the time for preparation is over.
The cry of the foolish virgins, "Lord, Lord, open to us," echoes the lament of those in Matthew 7:21-23 who profess Christ but are ultimately rejected. The Bridegroom's response, "Verily I say unto you, I know you not," is perhaps the most terrifying aspect of the parable. It is not an admission of ignorance, but a declaration of non-relationship. Despite their outward profession and expectation, they were never truly known by Christ as His own. They lacked the intimate, saving knowledge that comes from genuine faith and the indwelling Spirit (John 10:14).
The Urgent Call to Watchfulness
The parable concludes with a direct and unambiguous exhortation from Jesus:
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
This is the central lesson. "Watch therefore" is not merely about staying awake physically, but about maintaining a state of constant spiritual readiness. It means living a life continually filled with the Holy Spirit, walking in obedience, and cultivating a genuine, vibrant relationship with Christ. It is a call to examine our hearts, to ensure that our lamps are not merely outward displays, but are fueled by the indispensable oil of regeneration and the Spirit's presence.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins serves as a powerful reminder that outward profession alone is insufficient. What truly matters is the inner reality of our faith—the oil of the Spirit that enables our lamps to shine brightly and consistently. When the Bridegroom comes, there will be no time for last-minute acquisition of grace. Only those who are truly ready, whose spiritual lives are genuinely lit by the Holy Spirit, will enter into the eternal joy of His presence. Let us, therefore, heed the call to watchfulness, ensuring that our vessels are ever filled with the precious oil of God's Spirit, ready for the glorious appearing of our Lord.