The Parable of the Ten Virgins is one of Jesus’ most powerful and sobering illustrations about the necessity of spiritual readiness for His return. Found in Matthew 25:1-13, this parable is part of what is known as the Olivet Discourse—a section in Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus speaks at length about the future, including the Tribulation, His Second Coming, and the establishment of His Messianic Kingdom. This parable builds upon the warnings and teachings of Matthew 24, especially His emphasis that no one knows the day or hour of the Son of Man’s coming. The imagery of a Jewish wedding celebration and the striking distinction between wise and foolish virgins form the backdrop for Jesus’ call to constant watchfulness and genuine preparation.
This parable is not about the Church, but about Israel’s future role in the Kingdom program, particularly as it relates to Christ’s return at the end of the age. The setting, symbols, and warning it contains are directed to those who will live during the tumultuous period of the Tribulation, awaiting the Messiah’s arrival to reign.
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Explanation of the Parable
Jesus begins by stating:
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” (Matthew 25:1)
In ancient Jewish culture, weddings were among the most joyous and anticipated events in community life. A key part of the wedding tradition involved the bridegroom arriving, often unexpectedly, to receive the bride and begin the celebratory feast. The ten virgins in the parable function as bridesmaids, waiting to welcome the bridegroom’s procession and light his way to the feast.
Jesus tells us that five of these virgins were wise and five were foolish. The wise virgins brought extra oil along with their lamps, ensuring they would be ready no matter how long the wait. The foolish virgins, on the other hand, brought lamps but no extra oil—demonstrating a lack of true preparation.
The bridegroom’s delay is central to the story. As time passes and the evening wears on, all ten virgins become drowsy and fall asleep. But at midnight, a cry rings out:
“Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” (Matthew 25:6)
The virgins awaken and begin to prepare their lamps. The wise virgins are able to light their lamps because they have brought oil, but the foolish virgins realize that their lamps are going out. Desperate, they beg the wise virgins to share, but the wise refuse, knowing that they may not have enough for themselves. The foolish virgins go off to buy oil, but while they are gone, the bridegroom arrives.
Those who were ready—those with oil—enter the wedding feast, and the door is shut. When the foolish virgins return, they beg to be let in:
“Lord, Lord,” they cry, “open the door for us!” (Matthew 25:11)
But the bridegroom answers:
“Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.” (Matthew 25:12)
Jesus closes with this solemn exhortation:
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)
The message is unmistakable: preparation is everything, and the opportunity to enter the Kingdom is not open indefinitely.
Dispensational Interpretation
From a dispensational perspective, this parable fits squarely within the context of Israel’s future role during the Tribulation period and Christ’s return to establish His Millennial Kingdom. The parable follows directly after Jesus’ teaching on the need for watchfulness in Matthew 24, where He speaks of the suddenness of His coming at the end of the age.
The bridegroom is clearly Christ, returning to claim His rightful place as King. The ten virgins represent those in Israel who outwardly profess expectation of His coming, but who differ dramatically in their inner readiness. The wise virgins symbolize the faithful remnant—those who truly believe the message of the 144,000 sealed Jewish evangelists (Revelation 7:4-8) and the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3-12), and who endure to the end in faith. The foolish virgins portray those who, though part of the nation outwardly and exposed to truth, lack true spiritual preparation.
The oil represents genuine faith and spiritual preparedness—not simply knowledge or association, but possession of what is necessary to enter the Kingdom. The refusal of the wise virgins to share their oil is not selfishness, but a recognition that readiness is a personal responsibility. One cannot borrow another’s faith or spiritual preparation when the decisive moment arrives.
The delay of the bridegroom reflects the long period between Christ’s first coming and His Second Coming. From Israel’s perspective, this has been an age of waiting—a period during which the true remnant prepares their hearts, while others grow complacent or indifferent. The midnight cry signifies the sudden and unexpected arrival of Christ at the end of the Tribulation, when the time for preparation will be over.
The closed door represents the finality of judgment. Once Christ returns, the time of opportunity will be past. Those who were not ready will be excluded from the Kingdom blessings, just as Ezekiel 20:38 speaks of God purging the rebels from among His people at the time of restoration.
Comparison to Apostolic Teaching
Although this parable is directed toward Israel and her readiness for the Messianic Kingdom, its themes echo throughout the New Testament. The apostles frequently speak of the need for vigilance in light of Christ’s return.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6:
“But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light… So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”
Similarly, Peter urges in 2 Peter 3:10-14 that believers should live holy and godly lives as they look for the day of the Lord. Though the Church will not experience the Tribulation or await the Second Coming in the same way as Israel, the principle of readiness applies across dispensations.
The foolish virgins’ plea—“Lord, Lord, open the door!”—mirrors Jesus’ earlier warning in Matthew 7:21-23, where He declares that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the Kingdom, but only those who do the will of His Father.
Cultural and Historical Context
Jewish wedding customs form the heart of this parable’s imagery. In first-century Palestine, marriage consisted of several stages:
- Betrothal: A binding legal agreement, often arranged by families, making the bride and groom legally husband and wife even before the wedding.
- Preparation: The groom would return to his father’s house to prepare a place for his bride, echoing Jesus’ promise in John 14:2-3.
- Procession and Feast: The groom would come unexpectedly, usually at night, accompanied by friends to claim his bride and bring her to the feast. The virgins (bridesmaids) were responsible for lighting his way and celebrating his arrival.
The fact that the bridegroom arrived at night underscores the need for the virgins to have sufficient oil. Providing the light was their key duty, and failing in this task meant dishonoring the bridegroom.
In Jewish weddings, the feast symbolized joy, covenant blessing, and communal unity—imagery closely associated with the coming Kingdom.
Application and Significance
The Parable of the Ten Virgins stands as a clear warning about the importance of spiritual readiness. For Israel during the Tribulation, this will mean watching for and faithfully responding to the signs of Christ’s imminent return. Many will outwardly align themselves with the hope of the Kingdom, but only those with true, enduring faith will be welcomed when He comes.
The oil serves as a powerful symbol of that inner reality—representing not outward religion, but the inward presence of faith, supplied by God. The parable stresses that preparation cannot be transferred or borrowed at the last minute. It must be genuine and personal.
For the modern reader, while the Church is not the direct subject of this parable, the lesson of readiness is vital. Believers are called to live in continual expectation of Christ’s return, walking in faith, holiness, and spiritual vitality. The challenge is clear: will we be found ready when He comes?
The Call to Readiness
The Parable of the Ten Virgins delivers a powerful message: be ready. For Israel in the Tribulation, it is a warning that only the faithful remnant will enter the Kingdom. For all who read it today, it is a call to genuine faith, not mere outward association. When the Bridegroom comes, there will be no second chances. The time for preparation is now.
Want to Go Deeper?
This post draws from my book, The Parables of Jesus: Covert Communication from the King (Grace and Knowledge Series, Book 7), where I explore the prophetic and dispensational significance of each parable in detail.
Read the full book on Amazon →
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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