Matthew 25
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
JESUS LED AWAY TO PILATE--REMORSE AND SUICIDE OF JUDAS. ( = Mar 15:1; Luk 23:1; Joh 18:28). (Mat 27:1-10) Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned--The condemnation, even though not unexpected, might well fill him with horror. But perhaps this unhappy man expected, that, while he got the bribe, the Lord would miraculously escape, as He had once and again done before, out of His enemies power: and if so, his remorse would come upon him with all the greater keenness. repented himself--but, as the issue too sadly showed, it was "the sorrow of the world, which worketh death" (Co2 7:10). and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders--A remarkable illustration of the power of an awakened conscience. A short time before, the promise of this sordid pelf was temptation enough to his covetous heart to outweigh the most overwhelming obligations of duty and love; now, the possession of it so lashes him that he cannot use it, cannot even keep it!
Open source ↗Then shall the kingdom of heaven,.... The Gospel church state; See Gill on Mat 13:24 either as it would be a little before the coming of the son of man to take vengeance on the Jews; or as it will be a little before his second coming to judgment: for the parable is manifestly connected with, and refers to the preceding chapter, which chiefly treats of Jerusalem's destruction: but though the Jews were in great security before their utter ruin, yet it does not appear that the Christian church was then in such a lukewarm, drowsy, and sleepy condition, as this parable represents; and since, in the latter part of the preceding chapter, there are some hints of Christ's second and last coming; when the servant found doing his Lord's will, will be greatly honoured, and the wicked, cruel, and licentious servant will be severely punished; and since, at the close of this and the following parable, there is a very lively description given of the last judgment; as also, because it appears elsewhere, that such will be the formal, lukewarm, cold, indifferent, secure, and sleepy state of the church, before the second coming of Christ: it seems right and best to understand this parable, and the following, as having respect to that: and that the design of it is to show, what will be the case of professors at that time; the difference between nominal and real Christians; how far persons may go in a profession of religion, and yet, at last, be shut out of heaven: as also the suddenness of Christ's coming; the necessity of being ready for it; and how watchful the saints should be, that they be not surprised with it. Now some time before this, the Gospel church state, or the body of professing Christians, will be likened unto ten virgins; to "virgins" for quality; being betrothed ones to Chr…
Open source ↗25:1-13 This parable reinforces the need for individuals to be watchful and to prepare for the return of Christ (25:13; see also Luke 12:35-36). 25:1 To meet the bridegroom is an image for the coming of the Messiah (see Mark 2:19-20). • Details of wedding customs during the period are not known. Some think that the bride was led to the home of the bridegroom, who would stay away until the time appointed for the wedding feast. The bridesmaids, who had already escorted the bride to the groom’s home, would then wait for news of his arrival and escort him to the feast (Matt 25:10). Others think the groom may have come late in the night to the bride’s home, where he was announced. Then, after celebrating with the bride’s guests, the groom would take his bride under torches or lamps to his home.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) βασιλεία (basileía, G932) — properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or… οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… ὁμοιόω (homoióō, G3666) — to assimilate, i.e. compare; passively, to become similar δέκα (déka, G1176) — ten παρθένος (parthénos, G3933) — a maiden; by implication, an unmarried daughter ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λαμπάς (lampás, G2985) — a "lamp" or flambeau ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) ἀπάντησις (apántēsis, G529) — a (friendly) encounter εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… νυμφίος (nymphíos, G3566) — a bride-groom (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πέντε (pénte, G4002) — "five" ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) φρόνιμος (phrónimos, G5429) — thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while G4680… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μωρός (mōrós, G3474) — dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd
Open source ↗ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same μωρός (mōrós, G3474) — dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… λαμπάς (lampás, G2985) — a "lamp" or flambeau οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἔλαιον (élaion, G1637) — olive oil μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. φρόνιμος (phrónimos, G5429) — thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while G4680… λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) ἔλαιον (élaion, G1637) — olive oil ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀγγεῖον (angeîon, G30) — compare the base of G43 (ἀγκάλη)); a receptacle μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… λαμπάς (lampás, G2985) — a "lamp" or flambeau
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νυμφίος (nymphíos, G3566) — a bride-groom (literally or figuratively) χρονίζω (chronízō, G5549) — to take time, i.e. linger πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole νυστάζω (nystázō, G3573) — to nod, i.e. (by implication) to fall asleep; figuratively, to delay καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… καθεύδω (katheúdō, G2518) — to lie down to rest, i.e. (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. μέσος (mésos, G3319) — middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun) νύξ (nýx, G3571) — "night" (literally or figuratively) κραυγή (kraugḗ, G2906) — an outcry (in notification, tumult or grief) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; νυμφίος (nymphíos, G3566) — a bride-groom (literally or figuratively) ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἀπάντησις (apántēsis, G529) — a (friendly) encounter αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed παρθένος (parthénos, G3933) — a maiden; by implication, an unmarried daughter ἐγείρω (egeírō, G1453) — to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κοσμέω (kosméō, G2885) — to put in proper order, i.e. decorate (literally or figuratively); specially, to snuff (a… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λαμπάς (lampás, G2985) — a "lamp" or flambeau
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. μωρός (mōrós, G3474) — dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) φρόνιμος (phrónimos, G5429) — thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while G4680… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you ἔλαιον (élaion, G1637) — olive oil ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us λαμπάς (lampás, G2985) — a "lamp" or flambeau σβέννυμι (sbénnymi, G4570) — to extinguish (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. φρόνιμος (phrónimos, G5429) — thoughtful, i.e. sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while G4680… ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… μήποτε (mḗpote, G3379) — not ever; also if (or lest) ever (or perhaps) ἀρκέω (arkéō, G714) — properly, to ward off, i.e. (by implication) to avail (figuratively, be satisfactory) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you πορεύομαι (poreúomai, G4198) — to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively,… μᾶλλον (mâllon, G3123) — (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… πωλέω (pōléō, G4453) — to barter (as a pedlar), i.e. to sell
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀπέρχομαι (apérchomai, G565) — to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or… ἀγοράζω (agorázō, G59) — properly, to go to market, i.e. (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem νυμφίος (nymphíos, G3566) — a bride-groom (literally or figuratively) ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἕτοιμος (hétoimos, G2092) — adjusted, i.e. ready εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai, G1525) — to enter (literally or figuratively) μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… γάμος (gámos, G1062) — nuptials θύρα (thýra, G2374) — a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively) κλείω (kleíō, G2808) — to close (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὕστερον (hýsteron, G5305) — more lately, i.e. eventually ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… λοιποί (loipoí, G3062) — remaining ones παρθένος (parthénos, G3933) — a maiden; by implication, an unmarried daughter λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἀνοίγω (anoígō, G455) — to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications) ἡμῖν (hēmîn, G2254) — to (or for, with, by) us
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) ἀμήν (amḗn, G281) — properly, firm, i.e. (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
Open source ↗γρηγορεύω (grēgoreúō, G1127) — to keep awake, i.e. watch (literally or figuratively) οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… οὐδέ (oudé, G3761) — not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even ὥρα (hṓra, G5610) — an "hour" (literally or figuratively) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ὥσπερ (hṓsper, G5618) — just as, i.e. exactly like ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἀποδημέω (apodēméō, G589) — to go abroad, i.e. visit a foreign land καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) ἴδιος (ídios, G2398) — pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate δοῦλος (doûlos, G1401) — a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ὑπάρχοντα (hypárchonta, G5224) — things extant or in hand, i.e. property or possessions
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.
The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls full of the seven final plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
For your husband is your Maker— the LORD of Hosts is His name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.
Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.
as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”