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Matthew 25:3
Verse
Context
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Summary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
John Gill Bible Commentary
They that were foolish took their lamps,.... The Vulgate Latin, and Munster's Hebrew Gospel, read, "the five foolish", whose folly is here exposed; and which lay not merely, or only in taking up the lamps of a profession in a wrong way, and upon a wrong bottom, but chiefly in what follows; and took no oil with them: by oil is meant, not temporal blessings, nor spiritual ones, nor the Gospel, nor the gifts of the Spirit, all which are sometimes signified by oil; but either the Spirit of God himself, who is the oil of gladness, and the anointing which teacheth all things; or the regenerating and sanctifying grace of the Spirit, even all the graces which are implanted by him in conversion: this is so called, in allusion to the anointing oil under the law, in its excellent nature, its costly matter, its curious make, and particular application; and in the use of it to anoint both things, the tabernacle and its vessels, and persons, prophets, priests, and kings; see Exo 30:23, &c. The grace of the Spirit being of an holy and sanctifying nature, exceeding valuable and precious, and a curious piece of workmanship, and what is only applied unto, and bestowed on the elect of God; and with which all the vessels of mercy, small and great, are anointed, and are made prophets, priests, and kings, and is what is, as that was, lasting and abiding: or else with respect to the precious oil, or ointment poured on Aaron's head, which was emblematical of the grace of the Spirit, which was poured forth, without measure, on Christ, and from him descends to all his members: or to the lamp oil for the candlestick in the tabernacle, which was oil olive, pure, beaten, and was for light, to cause the lamp to burn always; and fitly represented grace, which comes from Christ, the true olive tree; is pure, and of a purifying nature; and comes through a bruised, crucified Christ; and being put into the heart, causes the light of good works, and a becoming conversation, to shine forth: or else to oil in common, which is of a cheering and refreshing nature; is beautifying and adorning, supplying and healing, feeding and fattening, searching and penetrating, and will not mix with any thing else; upon all which accounts grace may be compared to it. Now these foolish virgins, though they took up a lamp of a profession, yet were unconcerned for the oil of grace, to fill, maintain, and trim this lamp: they were ignorant of the nature and use of true grace; they saw no need of it, and therefore did not ask for it, or about it; they neglected it, made light of it, and denied it as useless; and being destitute of it, took up their profession without it; and in this lay their folly.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
25:3 While some have speculated that the oil symbolizes something specific (such as the Holy Spirit), it probably merely supports the point that proper preparation for the second coming of Christ is needed.
Matthew 25:3
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil.4But the wise ones took oil in flasks along with their lamps.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Christ Is All - in Scripture
By Bill McLeod1.6K46:28Fulness Of ChristPSA 2:10PSA 40:7PSA 41:9MAT 1:21MAT 28:19MRK 14:62COL 3:11TIT 3:7PHM 1:1In this sermon, the speaker begins by referencing Mark 16 and Luke 1 from the Bible. He highlights how Jesus reproached his disciples for their lack of belief in his resurrection and then commanded them to preach the gospel to the world. The speaker also mentions that some versions of the Bible omit miracles and end with Jesus' death on the cross, portraying him as a good man and advocate of peace. However, the speaker emphasizes that the Bible is truly all about Jesus and explores the significance of his ministry and his role as the Son of God.
I Came to Kindle a Fire on the Earth
By Hans R. Waldvogel1.0K39:07Work Of ChristMAT 7:7MAT 13:12MAT 25:3MAT 26:41JHN 7:38ROM 8:13ROM 12:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of presenting one's body as a living sacrifice to God. He highlights the need for transformation and renewal of the mind, as well as the necessity of fervent desire and repentance. The preacher also shares a personal example of giving up a passion for photography in order to prioritize his relationship with God. He calls for a rejection of worldly influences, such as television and certain types of music, and urges listeners to prepare their hearts as altars for the fire of God's presence. The sermon emphasizes the simplicity of following Jesus' commandments and the promise of abundance for those who truly seek Him.
1 John 2:20
By John Gill0Anointing Of The Holy SpiritDiscernment in FaithEXO 30:31MAT 25:32CO 1:211JN 2:201JN 2:27John Gill emphasizes the significance of the anointing believers receive from Christ, the Holy One, which equips them with the Holy Spirit's graces. This anointing is likened to the oil used in the Old Testament, symbolizing the continuous grace that flows from Christ to His followers. Gill explains that this divine unction grants believers insight and understanding, enabling them to discern truth from error and recognize the mysteries of the Gospel. He reassures that while believers may not possess complete knowledge, they are empowered to understand spiritual truths necessary for salvation. Ultimately, this anointing affirms their identity as true Christians, set apart by God's grace.
Compared View of the First Three Gospels, Etc.
By John Nelson Darby0The GospelsChrist's MinistryMAT 1:1MAT 4:17MAT 5:1MAT 9:35MAT 11:28MAT 28:19MRK 1:14LUK 3:23LUK 4:18John Nelson Darby discusses the distinct characteristics and purposes of the first three Gospels, emphasizing that Mark presents a chronological account of Christ's service, while Matthew focuses on the presentation of Jesus as the Messiah and the implications of His rejection. He notes that Luke, while generally following Mark's order, includes moral teachings that are unique to his Gospel. Darby highlights the importance of understanding the genealogies and the context of Christ's ministry, particularly in relation to Israel's expectations and the establishment of the church. He concludes that the Gospels collectively reveal the nature of Christ's mission and the unfolding of God's plan for humanity.
Epistle 405
By George Fox0Diligence in FaithEvangelism1CH 29:15JER 9:3MAT 5:15MAT 25:3LUK 19:201CO 7:291CO 7:311TI 2:41TI 6:9HEB 13:17George Fox encourages his friends to actively engage in spreading the truth of the Gospel, emphasizing the importance of not hiding their gifts and talents. He urges them to be diligent in their service to God and to be mindful of their time on earth, reminding them that they are sojourners and should live in the fear of God. Fox warns against the distractions of worldly desires and calls for unity among Friends in ministry to effectively share the truth with others. He expresses a desire for them to be valiant in their efforts and to give a joyful account to God at the end of their lives.
Religion Without the Holy Ghost
By Horatius Bonar0The Holy SpiritTrue vs. False ReligionMAT 25:3Horatius Bonar emphasizes the critical distinction between true and false believers in his sermon 'Religion Without the Holy Ghost,' using the parable of the ten virgins to illustrate the necessity of the Holy Spirit in one's faith. He warns against externalism in religion, where individuals may appear outwardly righteous but lack the essential inner oil of the Holy Spirit. Bonar stresses that mere profession and religious activities are insufficient without the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, which is vital for genuine faith and relationship with Christ. He calls for self-examination and urges listeners to seek the Holy Spirit directly from Christ, as true religion without the Holy Ghost is ultimately unfulfilling and ineffective.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
John Gill Bible Commentary
They that were foolish took their lamps,.... The Vulgate Latin, and Munster's Hebrew Gospel, read, "the five foolish", whose folly is here exposed; and which lay not merely, or only in taking up the lamps of a profession in a wrong way, and upon a wrong bottom, but chiefly in what follows; and took no oil with them: by oil is meant, not temporal blessings, nor spiritual ones, nor the Gospel, nor the gifts of the Spirit, all which are sometimes signified by oil; but either the Spirit of God himself, who is the oil of gladness, and the anointing which teacheth all things; or the regenerating and sanctifying grace of the Spirit, even all the graces which are implanted by him in conversion: this is so called, in allusion to the anointing oil under the law, in its excellent nature, its costly matter, its curious make, and particular application; and in the use of it to anoint both things, the tabernacle and its vessels, and persons, prophets, priests, and kings; see Exo 30:23, &c. The grace of the Spirit being of an holy and sanctifying nature, exceeding valuable and precious, and a curious piece of workmanship, and what is only applied unto, and bestowed on the elect of God; and with which all the vessels of mercy, small and great, are anointed, and are made prophets, priests, and kings, and is what is, as that was, lasting and abiding: or else with respect to the precious oil, or ointment poured on Aaron's head, which was emblematical of the grace of the Spirit, which was poured forth, without measure, on Christ, and from him descends to all his members: or to the lamp oil for the candlestick in the tabernacle, which was oil olive, pure, beaten, and was for light, to cause the lamp to burn always; and fitly represented grace, which comes from Christ, the true olive tree; is pure, and of a purifying nature; and comes through a bruised, crucified Christ; and being put into the heart, causes the light of good works, and a becoming conversation, to shine forth: or else to oil in common, which is of a cheering and refreshing nature; is beautifying and adorning, supplying and healing, feeding and fattening, searching and penetrating, and will not mix with any thing else; upon all which accounts grace may be compared to it. Now these foolish virgins, though they took up a lamp of a profession, yet were unconcerned for the oil of grace, to fill, maintain, and trim this lamp: they were ignorant of the nature and use of true grace; they saw no need of it, and therefore did not ask for it, or about it; they neglected it, made light of it, and denied it as useless; and being destitute of it, took up their profession without it; and in this lay their folly.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
25:3 While some have speculated that the oil symbolizes something specific (such as the Holy Spirit), it probably merely supports the point that proper preparation for the second coming of Christ is needed.