But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13)
Meditation on Matthew 25:1-13
Revised Common Lectionary Gospel for November 8, 2026
Some of us are already looking forward to Christmas and the promise of the coming of our Lord into this world. It is fitting that we read The Parable of Ten Virgins in the Gospel of Matthew. You recall, like us, the virgins were awaiting the coming of the bridegroom, who represents the return of Christ. They were excited just like we and our children are about Christmas, which is probably why we read this parable during Advent.
Jesus had just finished his teaching on the Mount of Olives (the Olivet Discourse). He warned his disciples about those who might come in his name to deceive them. And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray. And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. (Mt 24:11-13) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (Mt 24:24).
It can be difficult to understand exactly what Jesus meant when he taught his disciples so directly. But Jesus was the great Teacher. He told stories and parables that helped the people paint a picture of what he was talking about. The Parable of the Ten Virgins is one such word picture that makes very plain what Jesus was teaching about the kingdom of heaven: he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.(Mt 25:1-4).
The coming of the bridegroom was so important to the wise (NASB, prudent) virgins that they made sure that they had enough oil. They did not want to risk not having oil to light his way into the banquet. Those prudent virgins were all in. They were excited! The foolish, maybe not so much. May we be prudent, fully prepared for the coming of the bridegroom!
Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (Mt 25:5-9)
Were the wise virgins being mean-spirited by not sharing their oil? The extra oil really couldn’t be shared. I cannot share the Holy Spirit within me with you like I might share some of my spare oil. You need to ask God to give you His Holy Spirit. I cannot ask on your behalf. You must do that for yourself. Realizing that they were not really prepared, the foolish virgins went off to get more oil. They abandoned the bridegroom. And, we see what happened because of that.
And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut. (Mt 25:10) In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus warned the disciples not to follow after other gods. This was nothing new. The evil that Israel did over and over in the Old Testament was following after other gods. Our God is a jealous God. We are to devote ourselves solely to Him. That is what is meant by the kingdom of God.
The foolish virgins had a very superficial religion. They had some oil and were willing to go get more, if that was required. They had some desire for God but were not fully dedicated to him. They did only as much as they thought would be enough. They were not all in. It is not that they were sinful, nasty girls. The point Jesus is making here is that he wants us to be all in, not to hold back, to be fully dedicated and prepared for his coming. To stick with it and not abandon Him. He who endures to the end shall be saved.
Those who filled their lamps were prepared. Christ’s return may take longer than we think. This wait not only tests our endurance, it gives us a chance to show our devotion to Him. We make sure we have plenty of oil in our lamps. We wait for the Lord. We do not go running after everyone who promises us a miracle. We do not allow our love to grow cold. We wait in anticipation. We know the voice of our Savior. We await Him and no one else.
We desire to be filled with the oil of His Holy Spirit, overflowing to be sure that we always have more than enough. That is what this parable means to me. Fill me Lord! Keep me filled! Let the oil of your Spirit burn in the lamp of my soul that I might shed your light on others who so much need your spiritual comfort. That is what it is all about. That is the good news of the Gospel of Christ. Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine!
For this group, I skipped out verses 11-13 where Jesus sounds very harsh, to keep the teaching upbeat and positive. 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. Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour. (Mt 24:11-13) This means for us to be prepared for the coming King. But it gives the impression that Jesus will not open the door to those who knock. In another parable, he teaches something quite different (Luke 11:5-13, The Parable of the Friend at Midnight).
Gleanings from the Commentaries
The bridemaids on the wedding night were wont to go to the house where the bride was, with burning lamps or torches in their hands, to wait for the bride groom’s coming. When he drew near, they went to meet him with their lamps, and to conduct him to the bride. The lamp is faith. A lamp and oil with it, is faith working by love. (The virgins are candidates for the kingdom of heaven.) The wise took oil in their vessels – Love in their hearts. And they daily sought a fresh supply of spiritual strength, till their faith was made perfect. (When the foolish virgins asked for oil, it was saying their faith was dead.) No man has more than holiness enough for himself.
