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Matthew
25:1-13
With thanks to page
sponsor:
Chaplain (Capt) Meredith M. Myers,
USAF, RAF Lakenheath
 | Reading the Text:
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 | Historical References, Commentary and
Comparative Texts:
 | The
Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto. |
 | "Vigilance,"
Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit. |
 |
"The Unknown Time," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of
the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C.
Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation. |
 | XLIII.9-21;
Tatian's Diatessaron
(c. 150-160). |
 | II.XXIV.4, II.XXVII.2, V.X.1, Adversus
Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons.
(c. 180) |
 | VI.14, Stromata,
Clement of Alexandria (c 200) |
 | Chapter
XXII, On Modesty, Tertullian
(c. 217) |
 | VI.V, Against
Celsus, Origen (c. 246) |
 | Latin text of Augustine's Sermon 93 (Mt 25:1-13). |
 |
Homily
LXXVIII - Matthew 25:1-30, Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew, St.
Chrysostom (c. 380) |
 | From the
Catena
Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas. |
 | From the Geneva Notes.
 | "We must desire
strength from God's hand which may serve us as a torch while we walk
through this darkness, to bring us to our desired end: otherwise, if we
become slothful and negligent because we are weary of our pains and
travail, we shall be kept from entering the doors." |
|
 | From
Matthew
Henry's Commentary.
 | "Sincere Christians are
the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolish ones." |
|
 | The Wise and Foolish
Virgins (Matt 25:13): sermon by George Whitefield.
 | "Observe, the wise, the
true believers, had their lamps as well as the foolish virgins; for
Christianity does not require us to cast off all outward forms; we may
use forms, and yet not be formal." |
|
 | From Wesley's
Notes.
 | "He that watches has
not only a burning lamp, but likewise oil in his vessel. And even when
he sleepeth, his heart waketh. He is quiet; but not secure." |
|
 | From the Commentary on the Whole Bible
(Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
 | "This supplies a key to
the parable, whose object is, in the main, the same as that of the last
parable--to illustrate the vigilant and expectant attitude of faith,
in respect of which believers are described as "they that look for
Him" (Heb 9:28), and "love His appearing" (2Ti 4:8)." |
|
 | From The People's
New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
 | "The betrothal, which
took place some time before the marriage, was a kind of solemn marriage
contract, but preliminary to its final consummation. When the time for
the celebration of the marriage came, the bridegroom came to the house
of the bride and brought her by night to his own house. The virgin
bridesmaids awaited his coming and attended the bride to the marriage
feast." |
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 | Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
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Comments
(commentary) and
Clippings
(technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican
Diocese of Montreal. |
 |
"Exegetical Considerations,"
24th
Sunday after Pentecost, Richard Carlson,
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Using Greek for Sunday Text
Preparations.
 | "What is the crisis that the
morai parthenoi face which the phronimoi parthenoi don’t
face?" |
|
 |
"First
Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages in the Lectionary:
Pentecost 25,"
William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
 | "Much that masqueraded in all sincerity
as Christian faith then as now is what Paul would call just a clanging
noise, even it had chalked up spiritual successes (see 1 Cor 13). In their
different ways both Matthew and Paul put the emphasis on love as the fruit
which matters." |
|
 |
"Wise and Foolish Maidens," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from
Seattle,
Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle,
Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
 | "We also have learned from the teachings that we human
beings are never to judge who 'gets in and who is left out.' That is the
role of Christ. Christ is to be the judge. Using the analogy from
baseball, the umpire makes the calls and the players do not. The role of
the Son of man is to be the judge. That is his role. This is his function.
We human beings are the players and not the judges." |
|
 |
Dylan's Lectionary Blog,
Proper 27. Biblical Scholar
Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary
of the Episcopal Church.
 | "If we're mistaken about
who exactly it is that we're expecting in the parousia, we're
that much more likely to be mistaken about what that person would have us
to do to prepare." |
|
 |
"Faith and
Example,"
Larry Broding's
Word-Sunday.Com: A
Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's
Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
 | "Have you ever taken faith for granted?
Has that complacent attitude led to trouble?" |
|
 |
Exegesis,
Proper 27A, by
Richard Donovan at lectionary.org.
 | "This parable stands as a warning to
Christians who are unprepared for Christ's coming -- it is not directed
primarily at those outside the church." |
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Matthew in the Margins, by
Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia. |
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Sermon
Preparation Thoughts and Questions by Wesley White, 2005.
 | "In times when I falter I need to be
supported by you. In time you, too, falter need to be supported by me." |
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 | Exegetical
Notes by Brian Stoffregen, at CrossMarks.
 | "I like Boring's
interpretation of this word in the New Interpreters Bible: 'Matthew opposes the
frantic quest for eschatological information, and he pictures faithful
disciples as those who do their duty at appropriate times and are thus
prepared for the parousia whenever it comes. Such disciples can lay
down to sleep in confidence, rather than being kept awake by panicky
last-minute anxiety. Thus the Matthean meaning for "gregoreo"
is "be prepared," not "keep
awake"/"watch," and it might be so translated in this
context. [p. 451]."'" |
|
 |
"Be on
the Alert,"
Jerry Goebel, One
Family Outreach. "Focus on scripture from a justice perspective." Exegesis, study, and teen study
and activities.
 | "We are not to be concerned over the brightness
of our flame. Our one concern must be, 'Is my candle lit?' Is my
candle lit and held up for all to see? A small candle is incredibly
bright when the surrounding world is completely dark." |
|
 |
Wellspring of
the Gospel, Ordinary 32A, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn
Turner, Weekly Wellsprings. |
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"The
Bridegroom Comes!" Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible
Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed
textual notes. |
 | "The
Bride's Girlfriends," Don Schwager, Washtenaw Covenant
Community.
 | "Jesus warns us that
there are consequences for being unprepared. There are certain
things you cannot obtain at the last moment." |
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 |
"The
Parables in the Olivet Discourse," by Hampton Keathley IV at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
 | "The main
point of the parable is that even if it might be a long time before the
Lord returns, don’t wait until the last minute to get prepared,
because you never know when that last minute will be and you may miss
out. And I think preparation is faith." |
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 | Articles & Background:
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"Parable
of the Ten Virgins," wikipedia. |
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"Jesus
and Women in Matthew," Jane Kopas,
University of Scranton. Theology Today, 1990.
 | "It is not only the gentiles
but mothers and daughters and other marginalized people or outsiders
who get a special hearing from Jesus, Not only do they receive a
special hearing, but they seem to hear and see the possibilities in
his mission beyond what others see." |
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 | Articles in
ATLAS Journals. (Direct link when you are
subscribed and logged in to
ATLASerials online collection of Religion and Theology Journals.):
 | Bridges, Linda McKinnish, "Preaching
the Parables in Matthew's Gospel in Ordinary Time: The Extraordinary
Tales of God's World," Review & Expositor, 2007. (Section on this
text begins on p.354, but is best read in context of entire article.)
Image Browse -
PDF |
 | Neville, David J., "Toward a Theology
of Peace: Contesting Matthew's Violent Eschatology," Journal for the
Study of the New Testament, 2007.
Image Browse-
PDF |
 | Toussaint, Stanley D.,
"A Critique of the Preterist View of the Olivet Discourse,"
Bibliotheca Sacra, 2004. |
 | Young, Robert D.,
"Between Text and Sermon: Matthew 25:1-13," Interpretation, 2000. |
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 | Reviews:
 | Wilson, Alistair I.,
When Will These Things Happen?: A Study of Jesus as Judge
in Matthew 21-25. PaterNoster Press, 2005.
Review
by Samuel Subramanian, Review of Biblical Literature, 2006. |
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 | Sermons:
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"Filling Stations," the Rev. Dr. Anna Carter Florence, Day 1,
2007. |
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"Living As Though the End Were Already Here," Pentecost 25 - 6 November
2005, Hubert Beck, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the
RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors. |
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"Wise and Foolish Maidens,"
Sermons from Seattle,
Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle,
Washington. |
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"What Are You Waiting For?" (scroll down) Margaret J Marcuson, The
Clergy Journal, 2005. |
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"Vocation,
Vocation, Vocation: Your Pathway to Immortality," Delle Chatman, 30
Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2004. |
 | "The
Door to Joy Ajar," the Rev. Dr. Samuel Massey,
Day 1, 2002. |
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"A Few Good Men...and a Few Good Women," L. Gregory Bloomquist, Saint
Paul University, Ottawa. |
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"Be Vigilant," John Jewell, 1999. |
 | "It's
Time to Add Oil," The Rev. Dr. Elton Richards, Day 1, 1996. |
 |
Father
Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist,"
Commentary and Homily,
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 | With Children:
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"The Parable
of the Ten Bridesmaids,"
Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages,
activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts. |
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"Be Prepared!"
Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com. |
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"Young Women
Prepare for a Wedding," Sunday School
Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc. |
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"The Parable of
the Ten Maidens,"
children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian
Center. |
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Matthew
25:6, memory verse activity, MSSS Crafts and Resources for Bible
Stories. |
|
 | Drama:
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"Ten
Little Groupies!" Michelle Pitman, dramatix. |
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"With Lighted Lamps,"
from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal
for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian
Publications. |
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 | Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
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 | Hymns and Music:
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Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate,
David MacGregor. |
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Hymns with Scripture
Allusions: Matthew 25:1, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13. The Cyber Hymnal. |
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Hymn
Selections, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship. |
 | At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke
files, projection text):
|
 | "Rivers,"
Brenton Prigge, NewHymn, new, relevant hymn set to traditional tunes. |
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 | Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's
Art Index:
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 | Movies scenes with the following themes,
listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance: |
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Study Links and Resources for the Book of Matthew |
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