Matthew 25:5
Matthew 25:5 in Multiple Translations
When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Now the husband was a long time in coming, and they all went to sleep.
The bridegroom took a long time and all the girls became drowsy and fell asleep.
Nowe while the bridegrome taried long, all slumbred and slept.
'And the bridegroom tarrying, they all nodded and were sleeping,
Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept.
The bridegroom was delayed, and it became late at night. So all the virgins became sleepy and fell asleep.
That man getting married didn’t come for a long time, so all the young women got tired and went to sleep.
Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 25:5
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Matthew 25:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 25:5
Study Notes — Matthew 25:5
- Context
- Cross References
- Matthew 25:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Matthew 25:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 25:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 25:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 25:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 25:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 25:5
- Cambridge Bible on Matthew 25:5
- Barnes' Notes on Matthew 25:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 25:5
- Sermons on Matthew 25:5
Context — The Parable of the Ten Virgins
5When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Habakkuk 2:3 | For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay. |
| 2 | 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 | So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation. |
| 3 | 2 Peter 3:4–9 | “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world of that time perished in the flood. And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. |
| 4 | Luke 20:9 | Then He proceeded to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to some tenants, and went away for a long time. |
| 5 | Matthew 24:48 | But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ |
| 6 | Matthew 25:19 | After a long time the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them. |
| 7 | Hebrews 10:36–37 | You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. |
| 8 | Luke 12:45 | But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk. |
| 9 | Mark 14:37–38 | Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” |
| 10 | Romans 13:11 | And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. |
Matthew 25:5 Summary
[This verse reminds us that Jesus' return may be delayed, but we must stay prepared and alert, just like the wise virgins who had extra oil for their lamps. As seen in Matthew 24:42, Jesus encourages us to 'be alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come'. We can do this by regularly reading God's Word, praying, and seeking to live a life that honors Him, as encouraged in Psalm 119:105, where it says 'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path'. By staying close to God and being prepared, we can be ready to meet Jesus whenever He returns.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the bridegroom was delayed?
The delay of the bridegroom in Matthew 25:5 signifies that the timing of Jesus' return is unknown, and believers must be prepared to wait, as seen in Matthew 24:36 where Jesus says 'no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only'.
Why did all the virgins fall asleep, including the wise ones?
The fact that all the virgins fell asleep in Matthew 25:5 shows that even believers who are prepared for Jesus' return can become complacent, but as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, we are encouraged to 'be alert and self-controlled'.
Is this verse suggesting that it's acceptable to be lazy or complacent in our faith?
No, this verse is not promoting laziness, but rather highlighting the importance of being prepared for Jesus' return, as seen in Matthew 25:1-13, where the wise virgins were prepared with extra oil, and in 2 Peter 3:14, which encourages believers to be diligent in their faith.
What can we learn from the virgins' experience in this verse?
This verse teaches us to stay vigilant and prepared for Jesus' return, as seen in Matthew 24:42, where Jesus says 'Therefore, be alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can stay spiritually alert and prepared for Jesus' return in my daily life?
- How can I balance being prepared for Jesus' return with living in the present and fulfilling my responsibilities?
- What are some potential 'delays' or challenges that I may face in my walk with God, and how can I persevere through them?
- In what ways can I be like the wise virgins, preparing for Jesus' return by filling my 'lamp' with the oil of God's Word and the Holy Spirit?
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 25:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 25:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 25:5
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 25:5
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 25:5
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 25:5
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 25:5
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 25:5
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 25:5
Sermons on Matthew 25:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Causes of a Dozing Church by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer addresses the alarming state of the evangelical church, asserting that many Christians are spiritually asleep despite being active in church affairs. He emphasizes that |
|
A Spirit of Slumber! by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson's sermon 'A Spirit of Slumber!' warns of the spiritual blindness affecting both Jews and Christians, emphasizing that many are trapped in a deep sleep, unable to pe |
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(Through the Bible) Habakkuk by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker expresses sadness over the careless behavior of people who litter and leave debris on the ground. He reflects on the corruption that man has brought upo |
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Anatomy of a Prophetic Word by David Ravenhill | David Ravenhill discusses the importance of understanding the prophetic word, emphasizing the need for a balance between the Word of God and the Spirit of God. He highlights the co |
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The Necessity of Waiting on God by Phil Beach Jr. | Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the importance of waiting on God, urging the congregation to cultivate a posture of stillness and silence in His presence. He highlights that true waiting |
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Balm in Gilead by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches about the desperate state of God's people, emphasizing the deep wounds of sin and the need for a profound realization of one's sinful nature to fully apprecia |
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Edition 13 - Fires Are Being Kindled by William Seymour | Ireland, England, China, West Africa, Jerusalem, Sweden, India, Scotland, Australia, and the United States have all experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, with many individ |







