Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:6

What does Matthew 25:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:6 means

Suddenly, at the unexpected hour of midnight, a cry announced the bridegroom's arrival and summoned the virgins to meet him. This sudden, late-hour announcement emphasizes the unpredictability of Christ's second coming, echoing Jesus' warnings about the need for constant watchfulness. The call to "Come ye forth to meet him" signals the moment of reckoning, when all previous preparation, or lack thereof, will be immediately tested. This dramatic moment shatters the sleep of the virgins and demands an immediate response.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But in the middle of the night there is a cry, The husband comes! Go out to him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and in the middle of the night a cry was made, Lo, the bridegroom doth come; go ye forth to meet him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh. Go ye forth to meet him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But in [the] middle of [the] night there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom; go forth to meet him.

Context

Following the period of slumber in verse 5, this verse marks the dramatic, decisive turning point of the parable: the sudden announcement of the bridegroom's arrival. This abrupt call is the catalyst that forces the virgins into action and immediately highlights their differing states of readiness, making the prior distinction between wise and foolish virgins critically important for the ensuing verses.

v.5Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

v.6This passage

v.7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 50:3

    Our God cometh, and doth not keep silence: A fire devoureth before him, And it is very tempestuous round about him.

  • Jude 1:14

    And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,

  • Luke 12:46

    the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the unfaithful.

  • Matthew 24:44

    Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.

  • Luke 12:20

    But God said unto him, Thou foolish one, this night is thy soul required of thee; and the things which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?

  • Amos 4:12

    Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel; and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

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