Matthew 25:1

Matthew 25:1. Then. At the period spoken of in the last chapter. The judgment upon those in office, having a more direct application to the Apostles, is mentioned before the judgment upon the people. But it is not necessarily prior in time.

Ten. The number of completion among the Jews; this number may have been usual in wedding processions.

Virgins, as representing separation from the world, if any special significance is to be sought. To carry out the apt figure of a wedding, this class of persons must be introduced.

Took their lamps. Each had a lamp for herself, probably a torch made by winding rags about a piece of iron, and fastening it to a thick wooden staff. The oil was poured on the wick, the vessel containing the oil not forming a part of the torch or lamp (Matthew 25:4).

And went forth to meet the bridegroom. The best explanation is: that the bridegroom was coming from a distance, before the wedding; that the virgins went out to meet him to attend him to the wedding at the house of the bride, where the marriage was to take place. Christ, the Bridegroom, comes from a distance, the bride is the Church ; but she is not mentioned here, while the ‘virgins' represent the individuals making up the Church, as do the guests in the parable of the wedding of the king's son (chap. Matthew 22:1-14). Other views refer this to the procession, after the wedding, to the bridegroom's house, where the closing festivities were held. This accords with Eastern customs, but is far less appropriate.