Matthew 25:3

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Matthew 25:3 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil.

King James Version KJV

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

American Standard Version ASV

For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them:

Bible in Basic English BBE

For the foolish, when they took their lights, took no oil with them.

Free Bible Version FBV

The foolish girls took their lamps but didn't take any oil with them,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

The foolish tooke their lampes, but tooke none oyle with them.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

they who were foolish having taken their lamps, did not take with themselves oil;

World English Bible WEB

Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them:

Translation for Translators T4T

The virgins who were foolish took their lanterns, but they did not take any extra olive oil for the lantern.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 25:3

BAB

Word Study

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Matthew 25:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK αιτινες μωραι λαβουσαι τας λαμπαδας αυτων ουκ ελαβον μεθ εαυτων ελαιον

αιτινες hostis, hētis G3748 who/which Rel-NPF

μωραι mōros G3474 foolish Adj-NPF

λαβουσαι lambanō G2983 to take Verb-2AAP-NPF

τας ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APF

λαμπαδας lampas G2985 window Noun-APF

αυτων autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GPF

ουκ ou G3756 no Particle-N

ελαβον lambanō G2983 to take Verb-2AAI-3P

μεθ meta G3326 with/after Prep

εαυτων heautou G1438 themself F-3GPF

ελαιον elaion G1637 olive oil Noun-ASN

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 25:3

αιτινες hostis, hētis G3748 "who/which" Rel-NPF

This word means 'who' or 'which' and is used to ask about someone or something's identity, like in Matthew 5:39. It's often used to make general statements.

Definition: ὅστις, ἥτις, ὅ τι (also written ὅ, τι and ὅτι; see LS, see word; WH, §411; Tdf., Pr., 111), in NT scarcely ever except in nom. (M, Pr., 91), the only instance of the oblique cases being found in ἕως ὅτου (see: ἕως), relative of indef. reference (related to simple ὅς as Lat. quisquis to qui), whoever, anyone who; __(a) of an indef. person or thing: in general statements, Mat.5:39, 41 13:12, and freq., Luk.14:27, Gal.5:4, al.; in relative sentences, Mat.7:26, Luk.15:7, Php.3:7, al.; πᾶς, with indic., Mat.7:24 10:32; ὅ ἄν (ἐάν), with subjc., Mat.12:50 13:12, Jhn.14:13, 1Co.16:2, Gal.5:10, al.; __(b) of a definite person or thing, indicating quality, "either generic, which, as other like things, or essential, which by its very nature" (Hort on 1Pe.2:11), who is such as: Mat.2:6 7:26, Luk.2:10 7:37, Jhn.8:53, Act.7:53, Rom.6:2, 1Co.3:17, Gal.4:24, Eph.1:23, al.; __(with) where the relative sentence expresses a reason, consequence, etc. (M, Pr., 92), seeing that he (it, they), and he (it, they): Luk.8:3 10:42, Act.10:47 11:28, Php.4:3, al.; __(d) as in Ionic and late Greek (Bl., §50, 1; M, Pr., l.with), differing but little from ὅς: Luk.2:4 9:30, Act.17:10, Rev.12:13. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 136 NT verses. KJV: X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 3:17; Luke 2:4; 1 Peter 2:11.

μωραι mōros G3474 "foolish" Adj-NPF

A foolish person is someone who is dull or stupid, like the fool in Matthew 7:26. It describes someone who is heedless or lacking in good sense, often in a moral or spiritual way.

Definition: μωρός, -ά, -όν [in LXX for נָבָל, etc.; frequently in Sir. ;] __1. prop., of the nerves, dull, sluggish (Hipp., Arist.). __2. Of the mind, dull, stupid, foolish: Mat.5:22 (see Field, Notes, 3 ff.) Mat.7:26 23:17, 19 (T, WH, txt., R, om.) Mat.25:2-3, 8, 1Co.3:18 4:10; of things, παράδοσις, Mrk.7:13 (T, WH, txt., R, om.) : ζητήσεις, 2Ti.2:23, Tit.3:9; τὸ μ. τ. θεοῦ, 1Co.1:25; τὰ μ. τ. κόσμου, 1Co.1:27.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 13 NT verses. KJV: fool(-ish, X -ishness) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Matthew 7:26; Titus 3:9.

λαβουσαι lambanō G2983 "to take" Verb-2AAP-NPF

To take or receive something, like in Matthew 26:26, where Jesus takes bread and breaks it. It can also mean to accept or obtain something, and is often translated as receive or accept in the KJV.

Definition: λαμβάνω, [in LXX chiefly for לקח, also for אחז ,לכד ,נשׂא, etc. ;] __1. to take, lay hold of: absol., Mat.26:26, Mrk.14:22; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.5:40 26:52, al. mult.; with accusative of person(s), Mat.21:35, Mrk.12:3, al.; pleonastic λαβών (M, Pr., 230; Bl., §74, 2), Mat.13:31 14:19, al.; so also indic., Mrk.7:27, Jhn.19:1, 40 Rev.8:5, al.; metaphorically, with accusative of thing(s), ἀφορμήν, Rom.7:8, 11; ὑδόδειγμα, Jas.5:10; id. with accusative of person(s), φόβος, Luk.7:16; πνεῦμα, Luk.9:39; πειρασμός, 1Co.10:13; aoristic pf. (M, Pr., 145, 238; BL, §59, 4), Rev.5:7 8:5, al. __2. to receive: absol., opposite to αἰτεῖν, Mat.7:8, al.; διδόναι, Mat.10:8, Act.20:35; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.27:6, Mrk.10:3o, al. mult.; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.6:21 13:20 19:27, 2Jo.10; ῥαπίσμασιν (a vulgarism; Bl., §38, 3), Mrk.14:65; metaphorically, τ. λόγον, Mat.13:20, Mrk.4:16; τ. μαρτυρίαν, Jhn.3:11; τ. ῥήματα, Jhn.12:48; πρόσωπον (Heb. נָשָׂא פָּנִים, Dalman, Words, 30), Luk.20:21, Gal.2:6; ζωὴν αἰώνιον (Dalman, op. cit., 124f.), Mrk.10:30 (cf. ἀνα-, ἀντι-, συν-αντι- (-μαι), ἀπο-, ἐπι-, κατα-, μετα-, παρα-, συν-παρα-, προ-, προσ-, συν-, συν-περι-, ὑπο-λαμβάνω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 248 NT verses. KJV: accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up) See also: 1 Corinthians 2:12; John 10:18; 1 Peter 4:10.

τας ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

λαμπαδας lampas G2985 "window" Noun-APF

A lamp or torch that shines bright, often fueled by oil, as seen in Matthew 25 and Revelation 4. It symbolizes light and guidance. Jesus used it as a metaphor for preparedness.

Definition: λαμπάς, -άδος, ἡ (λάμπω), [in LXX for לַפִּיד ;] a torch (frequently fed, like a lamp, with oil): Mat.25:1 ff., Jhn.18:3, Act.20:8, Rev.4:5 8:10.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: lamp, light, torch See also: Acts 20:8; Matthew 25:4; Revelation 4:5.

αυτων autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GPF

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

ουκ ou G3756 "no" Particle-N

This is a strong 'no', used to deny something completely. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:29 and John 1:21. It is a negative answer to a question.

Definition: οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); __1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. __2. Most frequently negativing a verb or other word, Mat.1:25 10:26, 38, Mrk.3:25 9:37, Jhn.8:29, Act.7:5, Rom.1:16, Php.3:3, al.; in litotes, οὐκ ὀλίγοι (i.e. very many), Act.17:4, al.; οὐκ ἄσημος, Act.21:39; πᾶς . . . οὐ, with verb, (like Heb. כֹּל . . . לֹא), no, none, Mat.24:22, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:37, Eph.5:5, al.; in disjunctive statements, οὐκ . . . ἀλλά, Luk.8:52 Jhn.1:33 Rom.8:2o, al.; with 2 of person(s) fut. (like Heb. לֹא, with impf.), as emphatic prohibition, Mat.4:7, Luk.4:12, Rom.7:7, al. __3. With another negative, __(a) strengthening the negation: Mrk.5:37, Jhn.8:15 12:19, Act.8:39, al.; __(b) making an affirmative: Act.4:20, 1Co.12:15. __4. With other particles: οὐ μή (see: μή); οὐ μηκέτι, Mat.21:19; with μή interrog., Rom.10:18, 1Co.9:4, 5 11:22. __5. Interrogative, expecting an affirmative answer (Lat. nonne): Mat.6:26, Mrk.4:21, Luk.11:40, Jhn.4:35, Rom.9:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1410 NT verses. KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but See also: 1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Peter 1:8.

ελαβον lambanō G2983 "to take" Verb-2AAI-3P

To take or receive something, like in Matthew 26:26, where Jesus takes bread and breaks it. It can also mean to accept or obtain something, and is often translated as receive or accept in the KJV.

μεθ meta G3326 "with/after" Prep

Means with or after, showing accompaniment, as in being among a group or following someone, like Jesus with his disciples in Mark 1:13. It can also show cause and effect. The KJV translates it as after, among, or with. It is used in many New Testament books, including Matthew and Luke.

Definition: μετά (before vowel μετ᾽; on the neglect of elision in certain cases, V. WH, App., 146 b), prep. with genitive, accusative (in poet, also with dative), [in LXX for אַחַד ,עִם ,אֵת, etc.]. __I. C. genitive, __1. among, amid: Mrk.1:13, Luk.22:37 (LXX, ἐν) 24:5, Jhn.18:5, al.; διωγμῶν, Mrk.10:30. __2. Of association and companionship, with (in which sense it gradually superseded σύν, than which it is much more frequently in NT; cf. Bl., §42, 3): with genitive of person(s), Mat.8:11 20:20 Mrk.1:29 3:7 Luk.5:30, Jhn.3:22, Gal.2:1, al. mult.; εἶναι μετά, Mat.5:25, Mrk.3:14, al.; metaphorically, of divine help and guidance, Jhn.3:2, Act.7:9, Php.4:9, al.; opposite to εἶναι κατά, Mat.12:30, Luk.11:23; in Hellenistic usage (but see M, Pr., 106, 246f.), πολεμεῖν μετά = cl. π., with dative, to wage war against (so LXX for נִלְחַם עִם, 1Ki.17:33), Rev.2:16, al.; with genitive of thing(s), χαρᾶς, Mat.13:20, Mrk.4:16, al.; ὀργῆς, Mrk.3:5, al. __II. C. accusative, __1. of place, behind, after: Heb.9:3. __2. Of time, after: Mat.17:1, Mrk.14:1, Luk.1:24, Act.1:5, Gal.1:18, al.; μετὰ τοῦτο, Jhn.2:12, al.; ταῦτα, Mrk.16:[12], Luk.5:27, Jhn.3:22, al; with inf. artic. (BL, §71, 5; 72, 3), Mat.26:32, Mrk.1:14, al. __III. In composition, __1. of association or community: μεταδίδωμι, μετέχω, etc. __2. Exchange or transference: μεταλλάσσω, μετοικίζω, etc. __3. after: μεταμέλομαι. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 444 NT verses. KJV: after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out) See also: 1 Corinthians 6:6; Acts 25:12; 1 Peter 1:11.

εαυτων heautou G1438 "themself" F-3GPF

This reflexive pronoun means 'themself' or 'themselves', referring back to the subject of a sentence, as in Matthew 27:42 and Luke 23:35.

Definition: ἑαυτοῦ, -ῆς, -οῦ, dative -ῷ, etc., accusative -όν, etc., pi. -ῶν, etc. (Att. contr. αὑτοῦ, etc); reflex pron.; __1. prop, of 3rd person (Lat. sui, sibi, se), of himself, herself, itself, etc.: Mat.27:42, Mrk.15:31, Luk.23:35, al.; added to a middle verb, διεμερίσαντο ἑαυτοῖς, Jhn.19:24; to an active verb, Act.14:14 (M, Pr., 157); ἀφ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ, Luk.12:57 21:30, Jhn.5:19, al. (see: ἀπό); δι᾽ ἑαυτοῦ, Rom.14:14; ἐν ἑ., Mat.3:9, Mrk.5:30, al.; εἰς ἑ., Luk.15:17; καθ᾽ ἑαυτόν, Act.28:16, Jas.2:17; παρ᾽ ἑαυτῷ, at his own house, 1Co.16:2; πρὸς ἑ., with, to himself, Luk.18:11; as poss. pron. (with emphasis weakened; see M, Pr., 87f.), τ. ἑαυτῶν νεκρούς, Luk.9:60. __2. As reflexive 1st and 2nd of person(s) (so also frequently in cl., chiefly poetry), Mat.23:31, Mrk.9:50, Rom.8:23, 1Th.2:8, al. __3. In pl., for reciprocal pron., ἀλλήλων, -οις, -ους, of one another, etc.: Mat.21:38, Mrk.16:3, Eph.5:19, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 306 NT verses. KJV: alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves) See also: 1 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 1:12.

ελαιον elaion G1637 "olive oil" Noun-ASN

Olive oil is the oil from olives, used for lamps, healing, and anointing, as in Matthew 25:3-4 and Mark 6:13. It is a valuable resource mentioned in several books, including Luke and Revelation.

Definition: ἔλαιον, -ου, τό [in LXX chiefly for שֶׁמֶן ;] olive-oil: Luk.16:6, Rev.6:6 18:13; for lamps, Mat.25:3-4, 8; for healing, Mrk.6:13, Luk.10:34, Jhn.5:14; for anointing at feasts, Luk.7:46, Heb.1:9" (LXX) .† SYN.: μύρον, ointment, see Tr., Syn., 135 (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: oil See also: Hebrews 1:9; Mark 6:13; James 5:14.

Study Notes — Matthew 25:3

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Context
Cross References
Matthew 25:3 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 25:3
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 25:3
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 25:3
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 25:3
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 25:3
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 25:3
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 25:3
Sermons on Matthew 25:3

Context — The Parable of the Ten Virgins

1“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil.

4But the wise ones took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Revelation 3:15–16	I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!
2	2 Timothy 3:5	having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!
3	Isaiah 48:1–2	“Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, who have descended from the line of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD, who invoke the God of Israel— but not in truth or righteousness— who indeed call yourselves after the holy city and lean on the God of Israel; the LORD of Hosts is His name.
4	Isaiah 58:2	For day after day they seek Me and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God.”
5	Revelation 3:1	“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead.
6	Hebrews 12:15	See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
7	Matthew 23:25–26	Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.
8	Ezekiel 33:3	and he sees the sword coming against that land and blows the ram’s horn to warn the people.

Matthew 25:3 Summary

[This verse is saying that some people, like the foolish virgins, are not prepared for the spiritual journey of life. They have the basic things they need, like their lamps, but they don't have the extra oil that will help them keep going when things get tough. This is like not having the Holy Spirit's power in our lives, as mentioned in Zechariah 4:6. We need to make sure we have the extra oil of the Holy Spirit by reading the Bible, praying, and trusting in God's power, just like the wise virgins who were prepared with extra oil.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the lamps in Matthew 25:3?

The lamps represent the spiritual light that believers are supposed to have, as seen in Matthew 5:14-16, where Jesus calls His followers the light of the world. Not having extra oil, as mentioned in this verse, signifies a lack of preparation for the spiritual journey.

Why are the foolish virgins considered foolish in Matthew 25:3?

The foolish virgins are considered foolish because they did not take extra oil for their lamps, indicating a lack of spiritual preparation and foresight, unlike the wise virgins who took oil in flasks along with their lamps, as mentioned in Matthew 25:4.

What does the extra oil represent in this verse?

The extra oil represents the Holy Spirit's presence and power in a believer's life, as seen in Zechariah 4:6, where it is written that 'not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.' Having extra oil signifies being filled with the Holy Spirit and being prepared to face spiritual challenges.

How does this verse relate to our everyday lives as Christians?

This verse reminds us to be prepared spiritually for the challenges of life, just as the wise virgins were prepared with extra oil, and to trust in God's power and presence, as mentioned in Philippians 4:13, where it is written that 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can prepare myself spiritually for the challenges of life, just like the wise virgins in Matthew 25:4?
How can I ensure that I have the 'extra oil' of the Holy Spirit in my life, as represented in this verse?
In what ways can I be a light to others, as mentioned in Matthew 5:14-16, and how can I avoid being like the foolish virgins who were unprepared?
What are some spiritual disciplines that can help me stay prepared and filled with the Holy Spirit, such as prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship with other believers?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 25:3

They that were foolish took their lamps,.... The Vulgate Latin, and Munster's Hebrew Gospel, read, "the five foolish", whose folly is here exposed; and which lay not merely, or only in taking up the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 25:3

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 25:3

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Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 25:3

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: Ver. 3. Took their lamps, and took no oil] Empty casks, barren fig trees, pretenders only to the power of godliness; of whom it may be said, as Livy saith of the Athenians, that they waged war against Philip the father of Persius, king of Macedonia (so these against the devil, the world, and the flesh); literis verbisque, quibus solis valent. These carry Uriah’ s letters about them destructory to themselves. For if religion be not good, why do they profess it? If it be, why do they not practise it? To such it may fitly be said, as Archidamus to his son, rashly conflicting with the enemy without sufficient strength, Aut viribus adde, aut animis adime, so either add practise, or leave profession: and as Alexander having a soldier of his own name, and this soldier being a coward, he came to him and said, Either leave off the name of Alexander, or be valiant; so let these nominals either lay by their lamps or take oil with them.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 25:3

(3) Took no oil with them.—In the interpretation of the parable, the lamp or torch is obviously the outward life of holiness by which the disciple of Christ lets his light shine before men (Matthew 5:16), and the “oil” is the divine grace, or more definitely, the gift of the Holy Spirit, without which the torch first burns dimly and then expires. The foolish virgins neglected to seek that supply, either from the Great Giver, or through the human agencies by which He graciously imparts it.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 25:3

3. They that were foolish took their lamps] All watch for their Lord, but some only—“the wise”—with true intensity and with due provision for the watch. The foolish virgins have sufficient oil if the Lord come quickly; not sufficient for long and patient expectation. It is a rebuke to shallow religion that dies away when the excitement passes. The oil seems to mean generally the perfection of the Christian life or preparedness for the Lord’s coming.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 25:3

3. Lamps — Rabbi Solomo is thus quoted by Wetstein: “It was the custom in the land of Ishmael to bring the bride from the house of her father to that of her husband in the night time; and there were

Sermons on Matthew 25:3

	Sermon	Description
	I Came to Kindle a Fire on the Earth by Hans R. Waldvogel	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of presenting one's body as a living sacrifice to God. He highlights the need for transformation and renewal of the mind, as
	1 John 2:20 by John Gill	John Gill emphasizes the significance of the anointing believers receive from Christ, the Holy One, which equips them with the Holy Spirit's graces. This anointing is likened to th
	Religion Without the Holy Ghost by Horatius Bonar	Horatius Bonar emphasizes the critical distinction between true and false believers in his sermon 'Religion Without the Holy Ghost,' using the parable of the ten virgins to illustr
	Epistle 405 by George Fox	George Fox encourages his friends to actively engage in spreading the truth of the Gospel, emphasizing the importance of not hiding their gifts and talents. He urges them to be dil
	(Dominican Republic) God Closes and Opens Doors by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher, who is a 75-year-old father and has been preaching for 50 years, speaks from his heart. He references Revelation chapter 3, verses 7-11, where the Hol
	Washed With Fire by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a woman who worked in Africa and lived in a humble bamboo house. Despite facing potential dangers in the jungle, she had faith and
	Radical Christianity Is Normal by Francis Chan	This sermon emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and surrender to God, highlighting the dangers of being lukewarm in one's faith and the need for a true transformation by the