The Parable of the Ten Virgins

The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Text: Matthew 25:1–13

Introduction
The Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 and 25 contains some of the most sobering teaching from Jesus. He speaks both of the judgment that came upon the Jewish nation and of the final judgment when He returns. In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus illustrates the necessity of constant preparation. His return will be sudden, unexpected, and final. Just as in the days of Noah, people will be living life as usual—eating, drinking, marrying—when the judgment falls (Matthew 24:36–44). When He comes, there will be a great separation: sheep from goats, faithful from unfaithful (Matthew 25:31–32). The lesson is clear—be ready.

Jesus Is Coming Again
The return of Christ is certain, but the time is unknown. He warns that it will come like a thief in the night. If the master of the house had known the hour, he would have been prepared. Likewise, we must live each day ready, for the Son of Man comes at an hour we do not expect (Matthew 24:42–44). Judgment will not be announced beforehand, nor will there be time to prepare once He comes. His coming will separate the faithful from the unfaithful, the wise from the foolish.

Only Two Types of People
In the parable, five were wise and five were foolish. The wise carried oil for their lamps, the foolish did not. Jesus elsewhere made this same distinction in Matthew 7:24–27, between the wise man who built on the rock and the foolish man who built on sand. Preparation marks the difference. The wise live with eternity in view; the foolish are careless. Some prepare for the next life, others ignore it. But when the test comes, the result cannot be changed.

Each Person Is Responsible for Themselves
When the foolish virgins’ lamps began to fail, they asked the wise to share their oil. But obedience cannot be transferred. Each person must prepare for themselves. No one can obey the gospel for you. No one can worship or serve in your place. Each must give account to God individually (Romans 14:12). The oil represents preparation—faith, obedience, righteous living. These cannot be borrowed. They must be your own.

One Day the Door Will Be Shut
Perhaps the most chilling words in this parable are these: “the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10). When the bridegroom arrived, those who were ready entered, and those who were not were left out. They cried, “Lord, Lord, open to us!” But the Lord replied, “I do not know you.” When the door is shut, it is shut forever. When a man dies, when Christ returns, opportunity ends. On that day, there will only be two outcomes: eternal entrance into the city of God or eternal exclusion in punishment with the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 22:14–15).

Call to Action
The warning of Jesus’ parable is simple: Be ready. Do not wait until tomorrow to prepare for eternity. The wise make preparation now. The foolish assume there is more time. But when the cry is heard at midnight, it will be too late to prepare. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Examine your life. Are you prepared to meet the Bridegroom? Make your preparation sure through faith, repentance, confession, and baptism into Christ. Then live faithfully, keeping oil in your lamp until the end.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus’ return will be sudden and unexpected (Matthew 24:36–44)

• There will be a great separation at His coming (Matthew 25:31–32)

• Only two types of people exist in God’s sight: wise and foolish (Matthew 7:24–27)

• Each person is individually responsible for their own preparation (Romans 14:12)

• When the door is shut, it is shut forever (Matthew 25:10–12)

• Blessed are those who obey His commandments and are ready for His coming (Revelation 22:14)

Scripture Reference List
Matthew 24:36–44 – The unexpected coming of Christ
Matthew 25:31–32 – The separation at judgment
Matthew 7:24–27 – Wise and foolish builders
Romans 14:12 – Each must give account of himself
Matthew 25:10–12 – The door was shut
Revelation 22:14–15 – Eternal separation between inside and outside
2 Corinthians 6:2 – Now is the accepted time of salvation

The Parable of the Ten Virgins Sermon Outline
Text: Matthew 25:1–13

Introduction

• Context: The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24–25) covers both judgment on the Jewish nation and the final judgment at Christ’s return.

• The parable of the ten virgins illustrates readiness, preparation, and separation.

• Key thought: Christ is coming again—sudden, unexpected, and final. We must be prepared.

I. Jesus Is Coming Again
A. The certainty of His return

• Matthew 24:36–44 – The day and hour are unknown.

• His coming will be like the days of Noah—life as usual until sudden judgment (vv. 37–39).
  B. The unexpected nature of His return

• Two in the field; one taken, one left (v. 40).

• Two women grinding at the mill; one taken, one left (v. 41).

• Comparison: the thief in the night (v. 43).
  C. The necessity of readiness

• “Therefore you also be ready” (v. 44).

• His return will separate the prepared from the unprepared.

II. Only Two Types of People
A. The wise and the foolish virgins

• Five prepared with oil; five unprepared.

• Preparation was the difference.
  B. Jesus’ teaching elsewhere about wise and foolish

• Matthew 7:24–27 – Wise man builds on the rock; foolish man on sand.

• Trials expose preparation or lack thereof.
  C. Eternal contrast

• Wise live with eternity in mind.

• Foolish ignore spiritual reality.

• The result: safety or destruction.

III. Each Person Is Responsible for Themselves
A. The foolish ask the wise for oil

• Matthew 25:8 – “Give us some of your oil.”

• Matthew 25:9 – The wise reply: “No… buy for yourselves.”
  B. Personal responsibility emphasized

• No one can obey the gospel for you.

• No one can worship, serve, or practice pure religion on your behalf.
  C. Scriptural testimony

• Romans 14:12 – “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

• Salvation is personal. Preparation cannot be borrowed or transferred.

IV. One Day the Door Will Be Shut
A. The sudden closing

• Matthew 25:10 – “Those who were ready went in… and the door was shut.”
  B. The pleas of the unprepared

• Matthew 25:11 – “Lord, Lord, open to us!”

• Matthew 25:12 – Response: “I do not know you.”
  C. The finality of judgment

• Opportunity ends at death or Christ’s return.

• When the door is shut, it is shut forever.
  D. Eternal consequences

• Revelation 22:14 – Those who obey have the right to enter.

• Revelation 22:15 – Those outside remain excluded with the wicked.

• Matthew 25:46 – Everlasting punishment or eternal life.

V. Application: Be Ready Now
A. The foolish assumed there was more time

• But delay does not mean denial—Christ will come.
  B. The wise prepared in advance

• Faith, obedience, service, holiness.
  C. Our urgent need today

• 2 Corinthians 6:2 – “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

• Preparation cannot wait until the cry at midnight.

Conclusion / Call to Action

• Jesus is coming again—unexpected and final.

• There are only two types of people: wise and foolish.

• Each is responsible for their own preparation.

• When the door is shut, it is shut forever.

• Be wise: obey the gospel, live faithfully, and be ready to meet the Bridegroom when He comes.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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