Parable of the Ten Virgins Explained
The Parable of the Ten Virgins is a testament to the necessary vigilance, faithfulness, and readiness for the coming of the bridegroom, a clear reference to the return of Christ. Found in Matthew 25:1-13, this parable is a vital teaching on spiritual preparedness and the nature of the kingdom of heaven. This article will explore the themes of the virgins, the oil in their lamps, their sleep, and the deep meaning behind this story.
Context in Scripture
The Parable of the Ten Virgins reads as follows:
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:1-13)
This parable is set within the Olivet Discourse, one of Jesus’ foundational sermons teaching about the laws of the kingdom. During this, Jesus delivers lessons on the end of days. The Parable of the Ten Virgins is immediately following the parable of the faithful and wicked servants (Matthew 24:45-51) and preceding the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Each parable addresses the necessity of readiness and faithfulness in anticipation of the master’s or bridegroom’s return.
The Identity of the Virgins
The ten virgins represent those who profess to be awaiting the coming of the bridegroom, a metaphor for Christ. In the Jewish wedding customs of the first century, virgins (or bridesmaids) would await the arrival of the bridegroom to escort him into the wedding feast. The number ten is likely symbolic, representing completeness or the full number of those who outwardly identify with the people of God.
The division between the wise and foolish virgins is central to the parable’s message. The wise are those who bring extra oil, demonstrating foresight and preparedness. The foolish, however, bring only their lamps. They neglect bringing additional oil, seeing it as pointless and unnecessary. This distinction is not based on outward appearance or initial intent (all ten virgins set out to meet the bridegroom), but on the inner reality of their preparedness.
The five foolish virgins, therefore, represent those within the visible community of believers who lack true spiritual readiness. They may profess faith, participate in religious activities, and appear indistinguishable from the wise, but they are ultimately unprepared for the bridegroom’s arrival. Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:21-23 echoes this theme: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” The foolish virgins are those who have the outward form of godliness but lack its power (see also, 2 Timothy 3:5).
The Symbolism of Oil
Oil is the key symbol in the parable and has been interpreted in various ways throughout church history. In the immediate context, oil is the necessary resource for keeping the lamps burning as the virgins await the bridegroom. Without oil, the lamps cannot fulfill their purpose.
Biblically, oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit (see, Zechariah 4:1-6; 1 Samuel 16:13). In the context of the Parable of the Ten Virgins, oil represents the inward spiritual reality that distinguishes true, internally changed believers from mere outward professors of their belief. The wise possess the oil of genuine faith, spiritual life, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. The foolish, lacking oil, are devoid of this essential spiritual reality.
This interpretation is supported by other passages that associate the Holy Spirit with readiness and spiritual vitality. Paul writes in Romans 8:9, “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” Read that again. Jesus, upon leaving this earth after his work was done, left us with the gift of the Holy Spirit to become our inner voice of Truth and connection to God. Without receiving this gift and inviting the Spirit into our lives, we sit just outside of the feast. Our communion with (marriage to) the Holy Spirit is essential.
Similarly, Ephesians 1:13-14 describes believers as “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.” The oil, then, is not just religious activity or external association with the church, but the inward possession of the Spirit, which alone prepares you for the coming of Christ.
The Sleep of the Virgins
A notable feature of the parable is that all ten virgins, both wise and foolish, fall asleep while waiting for the bridegroom. The sleep of the virgins does not represent moral failure or spiritual apostasy, but rather the normal course of life during a period of delay. The parable does not rebuke the virgins for sleeping. Instead, the focus is on their preparedness prior to the bridegroom’s arrival.
This aspect of the parable highlights the reality that the delay of Christ’s return is a test of genuine faith. All believers, even the most faithful, experience periods of waiting, routine, and even spiritual drowsiness. So, the key distinction here is not whether you experience these phases of waiting or silence, because all do. The distinction is whether or not you stay faithful during these times and are prepared when the call of the hour does come. As Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” Even in the midst of ordinary life, the wise remain ready.
Keeping Oil in the Lamp
To keep oil in one’s lamp is to maintain a living, vibrant relationship with God through faith in Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. It is to possess the inward reality of salvation, not merely its outward form. The wise virgins’ preparation is not transferable; when the foolish ask for oil, the wise reply that there is not enough for both. This shows the personal nature of salvation and sanctification–each individual must possess the oil of the Holy Spirit for themselves.
The call to “watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13) is a summons to continual spiritual vigilance. It is not a call to anxious speculation about the timing of Christ’s return, but to a life of faith, obedience, and dependence on the Spirit. The parable warns against presumption and complacency, reminding believers that the door to the kingdom will not remain open indefinitely.
Theological and Practical Implications
The Parable of the Ten Virgins offers several important theological and practical lessons. First, it affirms the reality of Christ’s return and the necessity of readiness. The delay of the bridegroom is not a denial of his coming, but an intentional test of the genuineness of faith. Second, it distinguishes between outward profession and inward possession. Mere association with the people of God is insufficient; only those who possess the oil of the Holy Spirit will enter the marriage feast.
Third, the parable focuses on the personal responsibility of each believer. Salvation cannot be borrowed or transferred; each of us must respond to the call of Christ in faith and repentance. As the parable concludes, those who were ready “went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10). The finality of the closed door is a sobering reminder of the consequences of spiritual neglect. This is no reason to be afraid, but to be emboldened in your faith and to take the gift of the Holy Spirit seriously.
Finally, the parable calls believers to perseverance and watchfulness. The Christian life is marked by periods of waiting, but the wise remain prepared through ongoing reliance on the Holy Spirit. As Jesus teaches elsewhere, “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes” (Luke 12:37).
Conclusion - The Parable of the Ten Virgins Explained
The Parable of the Ten Virgins is a powerful exhortation to spiritual vigilance, authenticity, and preparedness. The five foolish virgins represent those who lack the inward reality of the Holy Spirit, despite outward association with the people of God. Oil symbolizes the presence of the Holy Spirit and the genuine faith that alone prepares us for Christ’s return. The sleep of the virgins reflects the ordinary course of life during the period of waiting, while the call to keep oil in our lamp is a summons to personal faith and ongoing dependence on God. In a world marked by delay and distraction, the parable’s message remains urgent: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Be bold in your faith by welcoming the grace of the Holy Spirit into your being.