Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:2

What does Matthew 25:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:2 means

Of the ten virgins, five are characterized as foolish and five as wise, establishing a critical distinction from the outset. This immediately indicates that within the group of those who outwardly profess faith and await the Lord's return, there will be a division. The terms "foolish" and "wise" here point not to intellectual capacity but to spiritual discernment and practical readiness. It's a clear warning that outward association with believers or even a stated expectation of Christ is not sufficient; there is a deeper, internal reality that will separate the truly prepared from those who are not.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and five of them were prudent, and five foolish;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And five of them were foolish and five wise.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And five of them were prudent and five foolish.

Context

Following the introduction of the ten virgins in verse 1, this verse immediately sorts them into two categories: foolish and wise. This categorization is foundational to the entire parable, setting up the contrast that will unfold. It signals to the reader that the story isn't just about waiting, but about the *manner* of waiting, and it prepares them to see the consequences of each group's actions as the narrative progresses.

v.1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

v.2This passage

v.3For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 13:47

    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

  • Matthew 7:24

    Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:

  • 1 John 2:19

    They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.

  • Jeremiah 24:2

    One basket had very good figs, like the figs that are first-ripe; and the other basket had very bad figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:1

    For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

  • Matthew 22:10

    And those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was filled with guests.

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