Jesus taught in parables – The Lamps of the Ten Bridesmaids

Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus used short stories, known as parables, to teach spiritual truths and about the Kingdom of God.

This one is about the ten bridesmaids and their lamps.

In this parable five of the bridesmaids were wise, but five were foolish. The wise ones set aside sufficient extra oil to last until the belated bridegroom arrived, but the foolish ones did not. The bridegroom delayed his coming and the foolish bridesmaids ran out of oil and were unable to be part of the welcoming party.

Jesus was saying we need to prepare ourselves here on earth so that we will not miss out on the Heavenly Wedding Feast.

The ten bridesmaids represent ourselves who need to get ready for the second coming of the heavenly Bridegroom. Oil is used in Scripture to represent the Holy Spirit and we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit in abundance in our lives so that we will remain in tune with God.

Jesus taught numerous parables, sayings, and warnings spread over four to six days before His crucifixion. See Matthew 21:23-25:46.

Background Reading:

The Parable of the Ten Virgins or the Ten Bridesmaids

25:1 “At that time, the kingdom from heaven will be comparable to ten bridesmaids who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Now five of them were foolish, and five were wise, 3 because when the foolish ones took their lamps, they didn’t take any oil with them. 4 But the wise ones took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 Since the groom was late, all of them became sleepy and lay down. 6 But at midnight there came a shout: ‘The groom is here! Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all the bridesmaids woke up and got their lamps ready.

8 “But the foolish ones told the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out!’

9 “But the wise ones replied, ‘No! There will never be enough for us and for you. You’d better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “While they were away buying it, the groom arrived. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet, and the door was closed. 11 Later, the other bridesmaids arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘I tell all of you with certainty, I don’t know you!’ 13 So keep on watching, because you don’t know the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:1-13
read about the other parables Jesus taught at this time Mathew 24-25, Luke 19:11-27.

More Information:

These lamps, which were used for lighting, burnt a mixture of oils.
For special occasions, perfumes could be added to the oil mixture.
The eastern lamps looked much different from our western lamps that we have today.


Other modules in this unit: