Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:3

What does Matthew 25:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:3 means

The foolish virgins, despite having lamps, failed to bring extra oil, exposing their lack of true foresight and inner spiritual provision. Their initial preparedness was superficial, relying only on what was immediately visible. The lamp represents outward profession, but the oil signifies the inner spiritual life, the Holy Spirit, or genuine saving faith that sustains one through delay. Their oversight indicates a misunderstanding of the enduring commitment and sustained readiness required for the bridegroom’s arrival, revealing a faith that lacks true depth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the foolish, when they took their lights, took no oil with them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

they who were foolish having taken their lamps, did not take with themselves oil;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

They that were foolish took their torches and did not take oil with them;

Context

This verse reveals the crucial oversight of the five foolish virgins, explaining *why* they are called foolish. It directly follows the categorization in verse 2, providing the first concrete detail that differentiates the two groups. This explanation of their lack of oil is essential for understanding their eventual exclusion and foreshadows the impending crisis when their lamps begin to fail, establishing the central spiritual lesson of preparedness.

v.2And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

v.3This passage

v.4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 23:25

    Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess.

  • Isaiah 48:1

    Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah; who swear by the name of Jehovah, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness

  • Revelation 3:1

    And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead.

  • 2 Timothy 3:5

    holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.

  • Revelation 3:15

    I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

  • Isaiah 58:2

    Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways: as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near unto God.

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