Matthew
25:1-13
- Reading the Text:
- NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
- Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
- The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
- The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
- The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
- Historical References, Commentary and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).
- Sermon 93 English Text, Augustine
- 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."
- Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
- Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
- Commentary,
Matthew 25:1-13, Carla Works, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org,
2011.
- "Readers today may find themselves secretly sympathetic to the foolish maidens. Does the church really live as though the bridegroom's arrival is certain? "
- Holy
Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Matthew 25:1-13, David Ewart, 2011.
- "This is a story about honouring the bridegroom who has gone away to fetch his bride by being prepared for his return - at the time of his own choosing, whenever that might be."
- Parable of the Bridesmaids, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2011.
- Readiness For The Lord -- Exegesis, commentary, and illustrations by Richard Gribble SermonStudio
- Preaching Matthew 25:1-13, Anna Carter Florence, Lectionary Homiletics sample.
- "Bridesmaids, the Time is Now," Alyce M. McKenzie, Patheos, 2011.
- "One of the themes dear to Matthew's heart is the theme of the anticipation of coming judgment. It is important for him to emphasize to his community two things with regard to Jesus' return. One is that they don't know when it will come, so speculation is futile. The second is that it will come, so preparation is crucial."
- "Saving From..."Andrew Prior, First Impressions, 2011.
- "There is much in life to be angry about! But I can’t help feeling that some of the gloating anger towards those who we believe will be judged, is a psychological projection of our inner anger and disgust at ourselves, and our failings."
- "The Parable of Five Catty, Hard-Hearted Virgins?" Lauren. F. Winner, The Hardest Question, 2011.
- It's Oil Gonna Be OK, Peter Woods, The Listening Hermit, 2011.
- "The worst mistake I could possibly make is to forget that the Kingdom of the Heavens, the Divine Domain, is right here right now. It is an immanent reality as much as a transcendent one."
- "Speculation is futile - Preparation is crucial," Neil Chappell, a weird thing, 2011.
- Comentario del Evangelio por Amaury Tañón-Santos, San Mateo 25:1-13, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
- Commentary, Matthew 25:1-13, Dirk G. Lange, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
- Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
-
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]."'"
- "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?"
- Matthew in the Margins, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
-
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."
-
"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.
- "The Bridegroom Comes!" Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
- "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."
- Articles & Background:
- "Parable of the Ten Virgins," wikipedia.
-
"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."
- Recommended articles
from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are
linked below.
ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of
selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
- Ashby, Godfrey, "The Parable of the
Ten Virgins," Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 1975.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - 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.)
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Donfried, Karl P., "The Allegory of
the Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13) as a Summary of Matthean Theology,"
Journal of Biblical Literature, 1974.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Ford, J Massyngberde, "The Parable of
the Foolish Scholars: Matthew 25:1-13," Novum Testamentum, 1967.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Kopas, Jane, "Jesus and Women in
Matthew," Theology Today, 1990.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Neville, David J., "Toward a Theology
of Peace: Contesting Matthew's Violent Eschatology," Journal for the
Study of the New Testament, 2007.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Paul, John Steven and "Soul Purpose,"
"Ready? A Liturgical Drama Based on Matthew 25:1-13," ARTS, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Robinson, Anthony B., "Choices that
Matter," The Christian Century, 1993.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Toussaint, Stanley D.,
"A Critique of the Preterist View of the Olivet Discourse,"
Bibliotheca Sacra, 2004.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Walvoord, John F., "Christ's Olivet Discourse on the
End of the Age: The Parable of the Ten Virgins," Bibliotheca Sacra,
1972.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Wimberly, John W, Jr., "Sharing Versus Hoarding,"
The Living Pulpit, 2003.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials - Young, Robert D.,
"Between Text and Sermon: Matthew 25:1-13," Interpretation, 2000.
EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
- Ashby, Godfrey, "The Parable of the
Ten Virgins," Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 1975.
- 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.
- Sermons:
- Joy At Midnight Erskine White SermonStudio
- "Filling Stations," the Rev. Dr. Anna Carter Florence, Day 1, 2007.
- "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.
- "Wise and Foolish Maidens," Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
- "The Door to Joy Ajar," the Rev. Dr. Samuel Massey, Day 1, 2002.
- "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,
- With Children:
- Worshiping with Children, Proper 27, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2011.
- "Children's Literature: A Resource for Ministry," November 6, 2011, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Matthew 25:1-13 and In Case There's a Fox by Aya Katz.
- "The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
- "Be Prepared!" Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
- "Young Women Prepare for a Wedding," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
- "The Parable of the Ten Maidens," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
- Matthew 25:6, memory verse activity, MSSS Crafts and Resources for Bible Stories.
- Drama:
- Left In The Dark -- Monologue / Drama for Proper 27 | OT 32 Jacqueline Sharer Robertson SermonStudio
- "Ten Little Groupies!" Michelle Pitman, dramatix.
- "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.
- Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
- Clip Art Images: Matthew 25:1-13, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
- Matthew 25:1-13, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
- Wise & Foolish Maidens Clip Art. Anglican Diocese of Dunedin, New Zealand.
- PowerPoint Slides for Matthew 25:1-13, Will Humes, Word & Table.
- Hymns and Music:
- Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
- Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Matthew 25:1, 4, 6, 7, 10, 13. The Cyber Hymnal.
- Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
- 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.
- Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
- Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
- Study Links and Resources for the Book of Matthew
