The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
Matt.25.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τοτε: ADV
- ομοιωθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ουρανων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- δεκα: NUM,nom,pl,m
- παρθενοις: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- αιτινες: PRON,nom,pl,f
- λαβουσαι: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,f
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- λαμπαδας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- εαυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εξηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- υπαντησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- νυμφιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 12:35-40 (verbal): Uses similar imagery (lamps, readiness, girded loins) and the theme of servants watching for the master's unexpected return—close verbal and situational parallel to the virgins' watchfulness.
- Matt.24:42-44 (thematic): Calls for constant vigilance because the Son of Man will come at an unexpected hour; shares the central theme of preparedness for an unforeseen coming.
- Matt.25:14-30 (structural): Another parable in the same chapter that likewise instructs about readiness and faithful stewardship until the master's return—structurally paired teachings about final accountability.
- John 3:29 (allusion): Employs the bridegroom motif ('the bridegroom's friend'); supports the wedding imagery behind the parable where the bridegroom's arrival is the climactic event.
- Rev.19:7-9 (allusion): Speaks of the marriage of the Lamb and the prepared bride—an eschatological fulfilment of the wedding-bridegroom imagery and the theme of readiness in Matthew's parable.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
- Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Matt.25.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πεντε: NUM,card
- δε: CONJ
- εξ: PREP
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,3
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- μωραι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- πεντε: NUM,card
- φρονιμοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 25:1 (structural): Introduces the same parable (ten virgins) and sets the scene for the contrast between the five foolish and five wise.
- Matthew 25:3-4 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the verse; expands on what makes five 'foolish' and five 'wise' (lack or possession of oil for their lamps).
- Matthew 24:42-44 (thematic): Same eschatological theme of watchfulness for the coming of the Son of Man and the need to be ready at an unexpected hour.
- Luke 12:35-40 (thematic): Parable imagery and exhortation to be alert and prepared for the master's return closely parallel the admonition behind the wise/foolish virgins motif.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (thematic): Paul's call to sobriety and readiness for the day of the Lord echoes the warning implicit in the division between wise and foolish virgins.
Alternative generated candidates
- Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
- Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
Matt.25.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- γαρ: CONJ
- μωραι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- λαβουσαι: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,f
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- λαμπαδας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,3
- ουκ: PART
- ελαβον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- μεθ᾽εαυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,m
- ελαιον·: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 25:4 (verbal): Direct verbal and narrative contrast: the wise virgins 'took oil in jars with their lamps,' explicitly opposing the foolish who took no oil.
- Matthew 25:13 (thematic): Concluding admonition 'Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour'—the parable's theme of preparedness that the lack of oil symbolizes.
- Luke 12:35-40 (thematic): A parallel teaching on readiness and watchfulness for the master's return (lamps burning, girded), sharing the same exhortation to be prepared.
- Mark 13:33-37 (thematic): Jesus' eschatological exhortation to stay awake and watch for the coming of the Lord—similar emphasis on vigilance found in the virgins parable.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 (allusion): Paul's ethical application of watchfulness ('let us not sleep... but let us be awake and sober') echoes the parable's call to spiritual preparedness.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them;
- For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
Matt.25.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- δε: CONJ
- φρονιμοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- ελαβον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ελαιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- αγγειοις: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- μετα: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- λαμπαδων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- εαυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 25:3 (verbal): Direct verbal/structural contrast within the same parable: the foolish virgins did not take oil with their lamps, highlighting the wise ones' preparatory action in v.4.
- Matthew 25:8 (thematic): The foolish ask the wise for oil, underlining the theme that the oil the wise took cannot simply be shared and emphasizing individual preparedness.
- Matthew 25:10 (structural): Shows the consequence of readiness: the wise, having oil, go in with the bridegroom—structural fulfillment of the preparedness motif introduced in v.4.
- Luke 12:35 (verbal): Uses similar lamp imagery and the command to have lamps burning (be ready), paralleling Matthew’s emphasis on vigilance and preparedness with lamps and oil.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 (thematic): Echoes the theme of watchfulness and sobriety in expectation of the Lord’s coming—comparable ethical exhortation to be ready like the wise virgins.
Alternative generated candidates
- but the wise took oil in jars along with their lamps.
- but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
Matt.25.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- χρονιζοντος: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- νυμφιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ενυσταξαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- πασαι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- εκαθευδον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matt.25:1-13 (structural): Immediate literary context—the parable of the ten virgins. v.5's drowsing and sleeping contrasted with the wise virgins' readiness and frames the eschatological warning about being unprepared for the bridegroom's coming.
- Matt.24:42-44 (thematic): Same Matthean theme of watchfulness for the unexpected coming of the Son of Man (imperative to 'stay awake'), contrasting wakefulness with being caught asleep when the master returns.
- Mark 13:35-37 (verbal): Parallel teaching tradition: a watchful stance while the householder is away. Uses similar urgency about being alert so the coming finds the servants awake.
- Luke 12:35-40 (thematic): Closely related parenetic material about servants keeping their lamps burning and being ready for the master's sudden return—same eschatological readiness motif as the ten virgins.
- 1 Thess.5:6 (thematic): Paulic exhortation using the sleep/awake metaphor: 'let us not sleep as others do, but let us keep awake,' echoing the NT ethical response to imminent eschatological expectation.
Alternative generated candidates
- While the bridegroom delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
- While the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.
Matt.25.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μεσης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- νυκτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κραυγη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- γεγονεν·Ιδου: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- νυμφιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εξερχεσθε: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- εις: PREP
- απαντησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,3,m
Parallels
- Mark 13:35 (thematic): Same theme of unexpected arrival at night and the call to be alert; Mark counsels watchfulness because one does not know when the householder will come.
- Luke 12:35-40 (thematic): Parallel teaching on servants keeping their lamps ready and being watchful for the master's return; emphasizes readiness for an unannounced coming.
- Matt.24:42-44 (structural): Immediate literary parallel within the Olivet Discourse—Jesus warns to 'watch' because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect, framing the same concern as the parable.
- John 3:29 (verbal): Uses the bride/bridegroom metaphor: the bridegroom's presence signifies joy and vindication; connects the imagery of 'behold the bridegroom' to Johannine language about relationship and witness.
- Song of Solomon 5:2 (allusion): Ancient bridal-night imagery—the beloved knocks at night and the watchful heart responds; likely background for the bridegroom motif and nocturnal arrival in the parable.
Alternative generated candidates
- At midnight there was a cry: ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
- But at midnight there was a cry: 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'
Matt.25.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τοτε: ADV
- ηγερθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- πασαι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- παρθενοι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- εκειναι: PRO,dem,nom,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- εκοσμησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- λαμπαδας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- εαυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 12:35-36 (verbal): Uses the same lamp-imagery and imperative readiness language (“let your loins be girded and your lamps burning”), linking the call to watchfulness and prepared lamps to the coming master.
- Mark 13:35-37 (thematic): Focuses on watchfulness and readiness for the master's return (’watch’/’keep awake’), echoing the eschatological vigilance exemplified by the wise virgins who trim their lamps.
- Exodus 27:20 (verbal): Commands provision of pure oil so that the lamps may be kept burning in the tabernacle—background for the parable’s concern with lamps and oil as necessary for keeping lights burning.
- Leviticus 24:2-4 (structural): Describes the continual lighting of the tabernacle lampstand with pure oil; provides cultic precedent for lamp maintenance and the theological symbolism of a lamp that must be tended.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (thematic): Urges believers to be awake and sober rather than sleeping—paralleling the parable’s emphasis on spiritual alertness and readiness for Christ’s coming.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
- Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
Matt.25.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- δε: CONJ
- μωραι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- φρονιμοις: ADJ,dat,pl,f
- ειπαν·Δοτε: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ελαιου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- λαμπαδες: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- σβεννυνται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matt.25.4 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same parable: contrasts the foolish who took no oil with the wise who took oil in vessels—directly explains why the foolish' lamps were going out.
- Matt.25.9 (structural): Direct continuation/response in the narrative: the wise reply to the request of the foolish, underscoring the theme of preparedness and its irreversible consequences.
- Luke 12:35 (verbal): Uses lamp imagery and the command to keep lamps burning (be ready) for the master's return—verbal and thematic overlap with the call to readiness in Matthew's parable.
- Mark 13:35 (thematic): Emphasizes watchfulness because the householder may come at an unexpected hour—parallels the eschatological readiness theme behind the lamps-going-out motif.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (thematic): Advises believers to be awake and sober rather than asleep—echoes the moral exhortation to vigilance and preparedness found in the parable of the ten virgins.
Alternative generated candidates
- The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
- And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
Matt.25.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απεκριθησαν: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- φρονιμοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- λεγουσαι·Μηποτε: PTCP,pres,act,nom,pl,f+CONJ
- ου: PART
- μη: PART
- αρκεση: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- υμιν·πορευεσθε: PRON,dat,pl,2+VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- μαλλον: ADV,comp
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- πωλουντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- αγορασατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- εαυταις: PRON,dat,pl,3,f
Parallels
- Luke 12:35-40 (thematic): Both passages urge watchful readiness for the master's/Bridal party's coming; the tone of vigilance and preparedness closely parallels the wise virgins' counsel to secure supplies before the arrival.
- Mark 13:33-37 (thematic): Jesus' admonition to 'watch' and be ready for the master's unexpected return echoes the parable's emphasis on being prepared at all times, as the wise virgins demonstrate.
- Revelation 3:18 (verbal): Uses the language of 'buying' spiritual goods ('buy from me... white garments, salve'), echoing the wise virgins' instruction to 'go buy' oil—both employ commercial imagery for obtaining what is needed for spiritual readiness.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (thematic): Paul's exhortation 'so then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober' parallels the call to active vigilance and preparedness found in the parable.
- Proverbs 6:6-8 (thematic): The proverb about the ant who prepares and gathers in summer models prudent foresight and provision for the future, analogous to the wise virgins' prudent action in obtaining oil.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the wise answered, ‘No; there will not be enough for us and for you—go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’
- But the wise answered, 'No; lest there be not enough for us and for you—go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
Matt.25.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απερχομενων: VERB,pres,mid,part,gen,pl,fem
- δε: CONJ
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,3
- αγορασαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ηλθεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- νυμφιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- ετοιμοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εισηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- μετ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- γαμους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εκλεισθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- θυρα: NOUN,nom,sg,fem
Parallels
- Matthew 25:1-13 (structural): Immediate context of the parable of the ten virgins; the full narrative frames v.10 (arrival of the bridegroom, entrance of the ready virgins, and the closed door) and the final exhortation to watchfulness.
- Mark 13:33-37 (structural): A parallel apocalyptic exhortation to 'watch' for the master's return; similar household imagery and stress on readiness for an unexpected coming.
- Luke 12:35-40 (thematic): Also urges constant readiness and watchfulness for the coming of the Son of Man, using servant/household imagery and the warning that the timing is unknown.
- Luke 13:25-27 (verbal): Contains the motif of a closed door and those left outside pleading to be admitted, with the host replying that he does not know them—closely echoing the 'door shut' and exclusion in Matt.25:10–12.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 (thematic): Calls believers to be 'awake and sober' because the day of the Lord comes like a thief—paralleling the moral of vigilance and preparedness in the parable.
Alternative generated candidates
- And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.
- While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.
Matt.25.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υστερον: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- ερχονται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- λοιπαι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- παρθενοι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- λεγουσαι·Κυριε: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,f
- κυριε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- ανοιξον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ημιν·: PRON,dat,pl,1
Parallels
- Matt.25.12 (structural): Immediate continuation of the parable—bridegroom's rebuke ('Truly I tell you, I do not know you') answers the plea 'Lord, Lord, open to us,' completing the scene and judgment motif.
- Luke 13.25 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: latecomers outside the door cry 'Lord, open to us,' and the householder replies 'I do not know you'—a close verbal and structural parallel to Matthew's scene.
- Matt.7.21-23 (thematic): Jesus records people saying 'Lord, Lord' and being rejected with 'I never knew you,' echoing the theme of confident appeal followed by divine refusal in Matthew 25:11–12.
- Rev.3.20 (thematic): Imagery of door, knocking, and opening—though the roles differ (Christ knocks at the door seeking entry), it resonates with the motif of access, openness, and judgment found in the ten virgins episode.
Alternative generated candidates
- Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’
- Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.'
Matt.25.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ειπεν·Αμην: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,m
- ουκ: PART
- οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
Parallels
- Matt.7.23 (verbal): Same formula of divine rejection—'I never knew you'—used in an eschatological setting to exclude those who profess but do not practice (direct verbal and thematic parallel).
- Luke 13.27 (verbal): Lukan parallel where the judge says he does not know the claimants ('I do not know where you come from' / 'I never knew you'), likewise portraying sudden exclusion at the final reckoning.
- John 10.14-15 (thematic): Contrasts Jesus' intimate mutual knowledge of his sheep ('I know my sheep, and they know me') with the bridegroom's refusal to recognize the unprepared virgins—both passages hinge on 'knowing' as the mark of true belonging.
- 2 Tim.2.19 (thematic): Affirms that 'the Lord knows those who are his,' serving as a theological counterpoint to Matthew's warning: being 'known' by God distinguishes true members from those excluded in judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- But he answered, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
- But he answered, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.'
Matt.25.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- γρηγορειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- ουν: CONJ
- οτι: CONJ
- ουκ: PART
- οιδατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ημεραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ουδε: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ωραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Matt.24:42 (verbal): Same exhortation to 'keep watch' / 'stay awake' because the day/hour of the Lord's coming is unknown; part of the same Olivet Discourse.
- Mark 13:33 (verbal): Parallel warning in Mark's version of the Olivet Discourse: 'Be on guard—be alert! You do not know when that time will come,' echoing the call to watchfulness.
- Luke 12:40 (thematic): Uses the language of an unexpected hour for the Son of Man's coming and urges readiness—same theme of vigilance against an unknown time.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (thematic): Paul's teaching that the Day of the Lord will come 'like a thief in the night' and his exhortation to be awake and sober parallels Matthew's call to watchfulness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
- Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;
but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
While the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'
Then all the virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, 'No; there may not be enough for us and you. Go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.
Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, 'Sir, sir, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.'
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.