Matthew 25

Matthew 25:1

Then = At that point in a then future time. The Structure (p. 1366) shows that this parable formed the closing part of the Lord’s teaching on the Mount of Olives (see Matthew 24:1, Matthew 24:3); and was designed to illustrate and enforce His teaching as to watchfulness, in view of the then immediate parousia, conditional on the repentance of that generation in response to the ministry of Peter and the Twelve, beginning at Pentecost, proclaimed and formulated in Acts 3:19-26. See the Structure (p. 1366). The Parable has nothing to do with the Church to-day as to interpretation, though there is the same solemn application as to watchfulness.

shall = will.

the kingdom of heaven. See App-114.

heaven = the heavens. Compare Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10.

lamps = torches. See App-130.

to meet = for the meeting (of two parties from opposite directions): i.e. the meeting and returning with. Greek. apanantesis. Occurs only here, Matthew 25:6. Acts 28:15, and 1 Thessalonians 4:17. But all the texts read hupanteeis, as in John 12:13.

Matthew 25:2

wise = prudent.

Matthew 25:3

no. Greek. ou. App-105.

with. Greek. meta. App-104.

Matthew 25:4

vessels. Containing oil, to pour on the torches. Greek. angeion. Occ only here, and Matthew 13:48.

Matthew 25:5

slumbered = became drowsy. Greek. nustazo. Occurs only here and 2 Peter 2:3.

slept = went to sleep (and continued asleep). Greek. katheudo.

Matthew 25:6

there was a cry made = there arose a cry.

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.

Matthew 25:7

those = those former ones.

Matthew 25:8

are gone out = are going out.

Matthew 25:9

Not so. Or, supply the Ellipsis thus: “[we must refuse] lest there be not enough”, &c.

not. Greek. ou. App-105. But all the texts read “ou me”. App-105.

Matthew 25:10

went: were on their way.

marriage = marriage, or wedding feast; as in Matthew 22:2, Matthew 22:3, Matthew 22:4.

Matthew 25:11

came also the other virgins = “came the other virgins also”.

lord, lord. Figure of speech Epizeuxis, App-6, for emph., denoting urgency.

Matthew 25:12

Verily. See note on Matthew 5:18.

I know you not. Greek. oida.

Matthew 25:13

Watch. This is the great lesson of the parable.

neither = not. Greek. ou, as in Matthew 25:6.

wherein = in (Greek. en. App-104.) which.

the Son of man. See App-98.

Matthew 25:14

the kingdom of heaven. Or, supply the Ellipsis from Matthew 25:13, “[the coming of the Son of man]”.

travelling, &c. See note on “went”, &c, Matthew 21:33.

Matthew 25:15

talents. Greek. talanton. Occurs only here, and in Matthew 18:24. See App-51. Hence the word comes to be used now of any gift entrusted to one for use.

every man = each one.

according to. Greek. kata. App-104.

his several ability = his own peculiar capacity.

took his journey. Same as “travelling” in Matthew 25:14.

Matthew 25:16

traded with = trafficked or wrought in (Greek. en. App-104.) The virgins wait: the servants work.

made them. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for “gained”.

Matthew 25:17

he = he also.

Matthew 25:18

went = went off.

earth = ground. Greek. ge. App-129.

Matthew 25:19

After. Greek. meta. App-104.

reckoneth = compareth accounts. Greek. sunairo. Occurs only here, and in Matthew 18:23, Matthew 18:24.

Matthew 25:20

beside = upon. Greek. epi.

Matthew 25:21

make = set.

enter. joy. He enters into joy, and joy enters into him.

the joy = the [place of] joy.

Matthew 25:24

Then he = He also.

had received. Note the change from the Aorist to the Perf. He had received it, and it remained with. him.

I knew thee = I got to know thee. Greek. ginosko. App-132. Not the same as verses: Matthew 25:12, Matthew 25:13, Matthew 25:26.

hast not sown = didst not sow.

hast not strawed = didst not scatter.

Matthew 25:25

lo, there. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

that is thine = thine own.

Matthew 25:26

wicked. Greek. poneros. App-128.

thou knewest. Greek. oida. App-132.

Matthew 25:27

exchangers = bankers. So called from the tables or counters at which they sat. Greek. trapezites. Occurs only here.

usury = interest. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 23:19, Deuteronomy 23:20). Compare Psalms 15:5. Hebrews were forbidden to take it from Hebrews, but allowed to take it from foreigners.

Matthew 25:28

from = away from. Greek. apo. App-104.

Matthew 25:29

not. Greek. me. App-105. Not the same word as in verses: Matthew 25:9, Matthew 25:12, Matthew 25:24, Matthew 9:26, Matthew 9:43, Matthew 9:44, Matthew 9:45.

Matthew 25:30

outer = the outer. Greek. exoteros. Occurs only in Matthew (here, Matthew 8:12, and Matthew 22:13).

weeping and gnashing. See note on Matthew 8:12.

Matthew 25:31

When the Son of man. See the Structure (p. 1366).

shall come = shall have come.

the throne. Luke 1:32. Compare Psalms 47:8. Jeremiah 3:17; Jeremiah 14:21. Zephaniah 3:8.

Matthew 25:32

shall be gathered all nations. There is no resurrection here. Therefore no reference to Revelation 20. The gathering is to be on earth (Isaiah 34:1, Isaiah 34:2. Joe 3:1, Joe 3:2, Joe 3:11, Joe 3:12). There are three classes, not two. The test is not even “works”, but the treatment of the “brethren” by the other two. No believer, i.e. those who “received the word” (Acts 2:41. 1 Thessalonians 2:13): for these were (and will yet he)“taken out of all nations”, Acts 15:14, Israel not gathered here, because “not reckoned among the nations” (Numbers 23:9). The Church of the Mystery (Ephesians 3) not here, because the reward here is “from the foundation (App-146) of the world” (Matthew 25:34); while the Church was chosen “before” that (Matthew 1:4). The “throne” is that of David (Luke 1:32).

all nations = all the nations.

them. Refers to individuals, because it is Masc, while “nations” are Neuter, and therefore are regarded collectively

goats. Greek. eriphion. Occ only here.

Matthew 25:34

Father. App-98.

the foundation, &c See App-146.

Matthew 25:35

an hungred = hungry.

Matthew 25:36

Naked = Scantily clothed. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole), App-6.

Matthew 25:37

Then shall the righteous answer, &c. Figure of speech Dialogismos.

Matthew 25:40

the least. Emph. = even the least.

Matthew 25:41

say also unto them = say unto them also.

ye cursed = that are abiding under a curse.

everlasting fire = the fire, the age-abiding [fire]. See App-151.

Matthew 25:46

everlasting Greek. aionion. App-151. In the same sense as in Hebrews 5:9 (Isaiah 45:17); Matthew 6:2; Matthew 9:12. 2 Thessalonians 1:9. (Compare Psalms 52:5; Psalms 92:7.) The eternal result must be the same as in the next clause.

punishment. Greek. kolasis. According to Aristotle kolasis has regard to him who suffers it, while timoria has regard to the satisfaction of him who inflicts it. (Occurs only in Hebrews 10:29. The verb timoreo only in Acts 22:5, and Acts 26:11.) Kolasis occ only here, and 1 John 4:18 (the verb kolazomai only in Acts 4:21; 2 Peter 2:9). What this kolasis is must be learnt from Matthew 25:41. Compare Matthew 3:12, and note on Luke 3:17.