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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
24:42-25:30 Parabolic Exhortations to Watch and Be Prepared for the Coming of the Son of Man. Jesus gives four parables to explain to his disciples how and why they should be prepared for his coming: the homeowner and the thief (24:42-44), the good and wicked servants (24:45-51), the
24:42 stay awake. Christians should not merely keep looking for the coming of the Son of Man. Instead they should be completing the work of the Great Commission (28:19-20), as well as being prepared and expectant, because the time of Christ's return is unknown (24:36). On readiness for Christ's return; cf. 1 Thess. 5:1-11; 1 Pet. 4:7; 2 Pet. 3:2-18.
24:48-51 delayed. The behavior of the wicked servant indicates he is a false disciple (cf. Gal. 5:19-21) and is deserving of that place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, a description of hell (cf. note on Matt. 8:11-12).
25:1 the kingdom of heaven will be like. See notes on 3:2; 13:24. ten virgins. Bridesmaids. bridegroom. As God referred to himself as the "husband" of Israel in the OT (e.g., Isa. 54:4-6), so Jesus pictures himself here as a bridegroom (cf. Matt. 9:14-15). It was the Jewish marriage custom (cf. 1:18) for the groom and his friends to leave his home and proceed to the home of the bride, where the marriage ceremony was conducted, often at night. After this, the entire wedding party returned to the groom's home for a celebratory banquet.
25:3-4 lamps. Large dome-shaped torches, fueled by rags soaked in oil and used for walking outside. oil. With extra containers of oil, the torches could last for several hours.
25:9-10 not be enough for us and for you. Torches required regular refilling. those who were ready. It was the responsibility of each person to be prepared individually to go with the bridegroom to the wedding banquet.
25:11-12 I do not know you. The OT speaks of God "knowing" his chosen people (Jer. 1:5; Hos. 13:5; Amos 3:2). The same theme continues in the NT, where it describes a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ (cf. Gal. 4:8-9; 2 Tim. 2:19).
25:13 Watch therefore. The point of the parable is that disciples must "watch correctly" in order to be properly prepared and ready to accompany the Son of Man when he returns. you know neither the day nor the hour. See note on 24:42.
25:16-17 The first and second servants acted industriously and earned a return on their entrusted amounts, probably by setting up some kind of business.
25:18 dug in the ground. Since there were no banks in ancient times, it was common practice to bury valuables (see note on 13:44).
25:20-23 Well done, good and faithful servant. The master's identical statements of praise to both servants show that what was important was not the total amount earned but faithfulness in utilizing their gifts and potential. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Faithful stewardship in this life will result in being given greater responsibility and stewardship in the life to come.
25:24-25 Master, I knew you to be a hard man. The third servant's actions result from his apparent misperception of his master, which manifests itself in laziness and bad stewardship.
25:27 you ought to have invested my money with the bankers. In the OT, Israelites were forbidden from charging interest to other Israelites (Ex. 22:25; Lev. 25:35-37; Deut. 23:19), but it was permissible to charge interest on money loaned to Gentiles (Deut. 23:20). In any case, the central point of the parable concerns the importance of being a faithful servant of all that God has entrusted to one's care.
25:29 to everyone who has will more be given. Using one's God-given abilities wisely and productively is a vital aspect of discipleship and will be rewarded with additional opportunities to serve God faithfully and fruitfully.
25:30 outer darkness . . . weeping and gnashing of teeth. A typical description of hell and eternal damnation, occurring six times in Matthew and once in Luke. See note on Matt. 8:11-12.
