Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:7

What does Matthew 25:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:7 means

Upon hearing the urgent cry, all the virgins awoke and began to prepare their lamps. This initial, unified response shows their shared expectation and the immediate, instinctive reaction to the bridegroom's imminent arrival. Trimming their lamps involved preparing the wick and ensuring they were ready to burn brightly. This action reveals that even the foolish virgins had some level of anticipation and the equipment for lighting, but it soon becomes clear that their outward actions cannot compensate for their inner lack of provision.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then all those virgins got up, and made ready their lights.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Then rose all those virgins, and trimmed their lamps,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their torches.

Context

This verse shows the immediate, all-inclusive response of the virgins to the cry in verse 6. It establishes a momentary unity in their actions as they all arise to trim their lamps. This shared activity immediately precedes the revelation of the foolish virgins' critical deficiency in the next verse, intensifying the drama and making their unpreparedness startlingly clear.

v.6But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.

v.7This passage

v.8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 3:2

    Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God.

  • Revelation 3:19

    As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

  • Luke 12:35

    Let your loins be girded about, and your lamps burning;

  • Revelation 2:4

    But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love.

  • 2 Peter 3:14

    Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight.

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