←
Explanation for:
Matthew
25
:
2
And five of them were foolish, and five wise.
12
more explanations
& daily audio-books
spoken by
– enjoy in Theosis App –
Start your
Bible-journey
with explanations
& daily audio-books
only 4$* per month
{"arr":[{"author-name":"Methodius of Patara","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c895392308a50ed159e5df_Methodius%20of%20Patara.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":3,"exegesis-text":"Five of the companions were wise and discerning, while the other five were foolish and imprudent; they neglected to adequately prepare their vessels with oil, lacking the fulfillment of truth. The latter group embodies those who aim to achieve a life of purity and righteously engage in all endeavors leading to this noble aspiration, yet their intention becomes marred by vanity and the fleeting allure of the world, resulting in a pursuit that casts only a shadow of true virtue rather than embodying the vibrant essence of truth. Some amassed ample provisions for their lamps in anticipation of the time to come, while others, preoccupied with the present, acted with carelessness. The equal division into five signifies the five senses, often referred to as the gateways to wisdom; some individuals have safeguarded these senses, keeping them pure and untouched by sin, while others have stained them with numerous unrighteous acts, surrendering to malice. Those who maintained their purity, yet neglected acts of righteousness, yielded more sinful results, leading them to be excluded from the divine realms. Whether we engage in virtuous acts or succumb to sin, both stem from these inner feelings. As Phallusa expressed the idea of the purity of the eyes, ears, tongue, and other senses, these five virgins represent anyone who has preserved the integrity of the five pathways of virtue—sight, taste, smell, touch, and hearing—by presenting to Christ the unblemished perceptions of these senses, shining brightly like a lamp, imbued with holiness. Indeed, our physical body functions as a lamp with five lights, which the soul carries like a torch, ready to present to the Bridegroom, Christ, on the Day of Resurrection, revealing the radiant faith that flows through all our senses, as He taught us, saying: ‘I came to bring fire down to the earth, and how I wish it were already burning’ (Luke 12:49), referring to our earthly dwellings, where He desires to ignite the life-giving fervor of His teachings. The oil symbolizes wisdom and truth. When the soul is enriched with these virtues and integrates them into the body, the unquenchable flame of righteousness ignites, illuminating humanity with good works so that the Father in heaven may be glorified (Matt. 5:16)."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The parable known as the ten virgins, which contrasts the foolish with the wise, is often interpreted solely concerning the virgins themselves. Some believe that, as stated by the Apostle, certain individuals are virgins both in body and in spirit, while others maintain only physical virginity and lack corresponding good deeds, or observe virginity due to parental oversight, yet in their minds they have married (1 Cor. 7:36). However, I propose that this parable carries a deeper significance, suggesting that the metaphor refers not merely to virgin bodies but to humanity as a whole. Just as the two workers in the field and the two millers with their stones signify two classes of people—Christians and Jews, or the righteous and the wicked—who outwardly partake in Church activities while actually being hypocritical, similarly, the ten virgins symbolize all individuals who profess a belief in God and validate this faith through the Holy Scriptures, regardless of whether they belong to the Church, are Jews, or belong to heretical groups. They are regarded as virgins because they claim to possess knowledge of the one true God and assert that their minds remain untainted by the immorality of idolatry.\\n\\nVirginity, therefore, can also be compromised by one's thoughts. If these virgins cannot shield themselves from judgment through mere physical purity, what will be the fate of those who have corrupted the members of Christ and transformed the temple of the Holy Spirit into a den of iniquity? It shall be proclaimed to them, “Come down, sit on the ground, O virgin, O daughter of Babylon, sit on the earth; there is no throne for the daughter of the Chaldeans. You shall take the millstones, grind the flour, uncover your veil, bare your legs, cross the rivers; your nakedness shall be exposed, and your disgrace shall be revealed” (Isaiah 47:1-3)."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"These parables are reminiscent of the previous tale concerning the unfaithful servant who squandered his master's resources. There are four such accounts, all conveying a single important message through various means: we are urged to be charitable and assist our neighbors in every way possible, for without these acts of kindness, salvation eludes us. While these parables address various forms of goodwill toward others, the parable of the virgins specifically highlights the importance of providing financial assistance, reinforcing the lesson more emphatically than the prior parable. This narrative denounces the servant who mistreats his fellow workers, associates with the drunken, and squanders his master's assets; it equally condemns the individual who neglects to aid others and fails to generously share his resources with the needy. The virgins possessed oil, albeit not in sufficient quantity, and thus received reprimand. But why does Christ choose to portray not just any group, but rather virgins? He elevates the significance of virginity, stating, \\"There are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven,\\" and, \\"He who is able to accept it, let him accept it\\" (Matt. 19:12). Furthermore, He understood the high esteem that many had for virginity. By its nature, virginity is indeed a significant virtue, as the fact that even the holy and eminent figures of the Old Testament struggled to maintain it indicates. It is not imposed as a mandatory law in the New Testament; Christ did not issue a command regarding it, but entrusted its observance to the judgment of those who hear. Thus, Paul notes, \\"Concerning virginity, I have no command from the Lord\\" (1 Cor. 7:25). While I commend those who uphold virginity, I do not enforce it upon those who choose otherwise, nor do I elevate advice to a mandate. Given the esteem surrounding virginity and the risk that individuals might grow careless while claiming to have completed every requirement, Christ presents this parable. It serves to demonstrate that virginity, even when combined with other virtues, can be condemned alongside acts of adultery if it is disconnected from works of mercy. Those who are callous and unmerciful find themselves equated with the unfaithful. This is justly so, for these individuals are driven by carnal desire, while the merciless virgins are ensnared by avarice. Although carnal desire and the love of money differ in intensity, the former is more potent and painful. Consequently, as the adversary becomes weaker, those defeated virgins deserve less mercy. Christ thus labels them fools, for they, having achieved a more demanding virtue, lost everything by failing in a lesser requirement. In this context, the lamps symbolize the precious gift of virginity and the purity of holiness, while the oil represents compassion, mercy, and assistance to the impoverished."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He did not refer to their chastity as wisdom, since they were all pure, but instead he identified their righteous deeds as wisdom. For if your purity matches the sanctity of the angels, consider and discern that the purity of the angels is free from the jealousy of other sins. Just as you have triumphed over fornication, be vigilant that you do not allow resentment and wrath to conquer you."},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The prudent virgins exemplified readiness for the Lord's arrival, having prepared themselves without delay. In contrast, the foolish virgins displayed negligence and a lack of vigilance. They focused solely on the present moment, neglecting the words of God and failing to place their faith in the promise of the Resurrection."},{"author-name":"Augustine of Hippo","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88950a5c988a4fc06c7ae_Augustine%20of%20Hippo.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"Let us grasp, dear friends, that this parable pertains to each one of us, encompassing the entire Church, not just the clergy we discussed previously, nor solely the laity, but to all believers. Why are there five virgins? These five, along with five others, represent all Christian souls. However, we must acknowledge, inspired by God, that these are not merely any souls; they are those who possess the universal faith and demonstrate good deeds within the body of Christ. Yet, it is noted that among them, Five were wise and five were foolish."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He refers to the quality of charity as oil. He rightly deemed those foolish who succumbed to intense and fervent bodily desires, enduring greater toil only to be defeated by greed, while that battle was harsh and fierce. Conversely, he termed others wise because they were not enslaved by the same trials faced by the foolish. Gregory the Theologian identified in some of these statements a motivation for baptism; however, both interpretations hold merit."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"In the metaphor of the virgins, the Lord presents a teaching on charitable giving, highlighting that maintaining virginity holds significant value, yet one who is virtuous should not overlook other righteous acts. It is crucial to understand that neglecting acts of charity, despite being a virgin, will lead to exclusion alongside the immoral. The individual who maintains their virginity may indeed be rightly rejected, while the compassionate person will not face such condemnation. The one who engages in fornication yields to a powerful, inherent desire, whereas the unmerciful is ensnared by greed. The strength of the foe determines the degree of blame; the one overtaken by a lesser inclination to haste holds less justification for their failure. The greedy individual is deemed ‘irrational’ as they dominate a more fundamental fleshly desire, only to be ensnared by an even feebler vice—material wealth."},{"author-name":"Theodosios of Kiev","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c898200ee1341634d36a18_Theodosios%20of%20Kiev.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"You have heard the story of the ten maidens, five wise and five foolish. The Holy Gospel indicates that the wise maintained their purity and illuminated their lamps with love and faith, entering into the realm of joy without hindrance. But what made the others foolish? Though they preserved their virginity through fasting, vigilance, and prayers, which weakened their flesh, they failed to fill the lamps of their souls with the oil of compassion. As a result, they were excluded from the joyful presence. Desperate, they sought out the needy to buy kindness, but they could not find them, for the doors of divine mercy had already been closed."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The narrative features ten virgins, five wise and five foolish, with the terms wise and foolish reflecting their prudence or lack thereof. The wise virgins carried sufficient oil for their lamps, ensuring they would remain lit even if the bridegroom delayed. In contrast, the foolish ones, lacking foresight, brought only a limited supply. The wise virgins signify genuine believers who are prepared for Christ’s return, possessing steadfast faith and commendable deeds. Conversely, the foolish virgins represent those who claim the name of Christian but lack true spiritual integrity; they are negligent and devoid of genuine virtues, relying only on a façade of righteousness. The equal division of five and five does not imply an exact balance of the wise and the foolish at Christ's return; rather, the parable aims to encourage all to remain vigilant, as seen in Matthew 25:13."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Five of them were wise and sensible, while the other five were foolish and reckless."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"There were ten maidens waiting to greet the bridegroom, yet only five displayed true forethought; they genuinely desired to encounter him with their lamps aglow and thus brought along extra oil in case it was needed. Conversely, the other five maidens believed the oil already in their lamps would suffice, neglecting to bring any additional supply. This parable illustrates that mere verbal declarations of willingness to observe Christ's commandments and calling oneself a Christian is insufficient in anticipation of His return; we must ensure we have the means to greet Him. Faith in Christ alone is not adequate; it is essential to follow His commandments, for not everyone who exclaims, \\"Lord! Lord!\\" will gain entry into the Kingdom of Heaven, but only those who carry out the will of His Father in Heaven (Matt. 7:21). The will of the Father is for us to love our neighbors—both friends and foes alike—and to work selflessly for their good. Such acts of kindness represent the resources we must possess to approach Christ."}]}
Support this project and get full access for only 4$/month
Commentarie text can’t be scrolled on PC at the moment. Please use your phone. We’re working on a fix.
