Matthew 25:1-13 - Wisdom and Foolishness in the Kingdom of God
Matthew 25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2) Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3) When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4) but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5) As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. 6) But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7) Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. 8) The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9) But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10) And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. 11) Later the other bridesmaids came also saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12) But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ 13) Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Background: Today’s story comes in a section of Matthew’s gospel that deals with the promised coming of the Son of Man (Messiah) in glory at the end of the age. Chapters 24-25 deal with the coming judgement and the ultimate victory of God. These passages are “apocalyptic,” a special type of literature that is highly symbolic and more interested in making theological points than in making logical sense. Jesus is using this highly symbolic language to try to help us think of events that are anchored beyond history. Don’t let the details confuse you. Look for the major themes and try to see how they apply to our life now.
Parable as Allegory: Most scholars agree that today’s text is an allegory. An allegory is a literary device in which each major element is a symbol that stands for something else. In this parable Jesus, and later Matthew and his community, were expected to immediately decode the symbols. Today, as cultures and language have changed, we need a little extra help. Note the following:
The Bridesmaids – stand for believers or the church.
The Bridegroom – stands for the Messiah, specifically the Second Coming.
Oil – This is the most important symbol to understand this passage. In Hebrew culture oil was often used as a symbol for good works, acts of righteousness or mercy. It also sometimes symbolized the word of God in Scripture. So, to have enough oil was to be overflowing in good deeds and the Word of God.
The midnight arrival – reminded hearers that the Second Coming will be unexpected. More than that, it will be when least expected.
The wise – stood for those who kept on doing the will of God even when the fulfillment of the kingdom was delayed.
The foolish – stood for those who lacked the commitment to sustain the life of discipleship.
The banquet – stands for the life of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom was understood as the final reign of God over human hearts, lives and the whole created order. People believed that this kingdom of God’s loving and righteous rule could be
glimpsed (the kingdom in near at hand), lived (the kingdom is among you) and yet to be made full (the kingdom will come as a thief in the night). They, like we, wanted to know when God would bring the kingdom to fullness on earth and usher in the final victory for believers. That is not knowledge that we can, or ever will, possess. Our job is not to predict. Our job is to be ready.
Wedding Customs in Jesus’ Day: Weddings were community wide celebrations that often lasted for several days. They included processions through the streets in which the bridegroom and neighbors went to fetch the bride. They also included elaborate banquets. In a time when life was often harsh, these celebrations were a wonderful respite and a vote of confidence in the future.
Keep awake: Sleeping was obviously not the sign of being unprepared since both the wise and the foolish slept. Running out of oil was the problem. So why this final phrase “Keep awake”? The phrase really means to keep constantly alert for signs and opportunities. It would be like us saying today, “Heads Up!”
Word Study
I dealt with most of the significant words above. However, these two additional words may help illuminate your thinking about this passage.
Vs. 2 – wise – this word doesn’t mean smart, or learned. It means prudent, sensible, practically wise.
Vs. 12 – I do not know you – one of several Greek words for ‘to know.’ It means to perceive with the outward senses, or to perceive with the mind, or to understand. Jesus is not saying that he is not acquainted with these people. This is not the word for knowledge that comes from intimate encounter. He is saying that their choices baffle him, he can’t figure them out.
Main Points to Ponder
1. Those who will receive the joyous benefits of the Kingdom of God are those who prepare themselves by good deeds and who are ready to wait for God’s timing.
2. Those whom Jesus recognizes, are those who spend time doing what Jesus did.
3. The Kingdom of God is ultimately about joy and celebration.
4. It is possible to miss the bounty of the Kingdom by being unable to live the faith for the long haul.
5. Whether Jesus comes tonight or 15 millennia from now, believers are to live each moment as if Jesus were coming in it.
Questions for Personal Reflection
1. All of the bridesmaids desired to see the bridegroom and celebrate with him. Some had just not done the work necessary to enter into that joy. What do you see as the most important work for you to take up today to stretch your ‘readiness’ muscles?
2. Good works and perseverance are at the heart of this text. How have you experienced deepening of faith in those ways.
3. When the bridegroom answers the door to the foolish bridesmaids, he says, “I never knew you.” How do you understand that interaction? What are the necessary practices for us to be recognized by Christ as his own?
4. The banquet of kingdom living is joyful and comes unexpectedly. How have you experienced that? What are your lamps (enlightenment) and what is your oil (fuel for enlightenment)?