Matthew 25:3
New International Version
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

New Living Translation
The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps,

English Standard Version
For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,

Berean Standard Bible
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil.

Berean Literal Bible
For the foolish, having taken their lamps, took no oil with them;

King James Bible
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

New King James Version
Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,

New American Standard Bible
For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take extra oil with them;

NASB 1995
“For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,

NASB 1977
“For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,

Legacy Standard Bible
For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,

Amplified Bible
For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them,

Christian Standard Bible
When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take olive oil with them.

American Standard Version
For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them:

Contemporary English Version
The foolish ones took their lamps, but no extra oil.

English Revised Version
For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The foolish bridesmaids took their lamps, but they didn't take any extra oil.

Good News Translation
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any extra oil with them,

International Standard Version
because when the foolish ones took their lamps, they didn't take any oil with them.

Majority Standard Bible
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil.

NET Bible
When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them.

New Heart English Bible
For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,

Webster's Bible Translation
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Weymouth New Testament
For the foolish, when they took their torches, did not provide themselves with oil;

World English Bible
Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
they who were foolish having taken their lamps, did not take with themselves oil;

Berean Literal Bible
For the foolish, having taken their lamps, took no oil with them;

Young's Literal Translation
they who were foolish having taken their lamps, did not take with themselves oil;

Smith's Literal Translation
Those foolish having taken their lanterns, took no oil with them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them:

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the five foolish, having brought their lamps, did not take oil with them.

New American Bible
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them,

New Revised Standard Version
When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And those fools took their lamps, and did not take oil with them.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Those who were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Godbey New Testament
For the foolish, taking their lamps, took no oil with themselves:

Haweis New Testament
Those who were taking their lamps, took no oil with them:

Mace New Testament
they that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Weymouth New Testament
For the foolish, when they took their torches, did not provide themselves with oil;

Worrell New Testament
for the foolish, taking their lamps, did not take oil with them;

Worsley New Testament
The foolish ones took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The 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.…

Cross References
Proverbs 13:16
Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.

Proverbs 21:20
Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.

Luke 12:35-40
Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. / Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. / Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. ...

Luke 12:47-48
That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

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.

Ephesians 5:15-17
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, / redeeming the time, because the days are evil. / Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

2 Timothy 4:5
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Revelation 3:2-3
Wake up and strengthen what remains, which is about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God. / Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

Matthew 24:42-44
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. / But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. / For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.

Mark 13:33-37
Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come. / It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch. / Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. ...

Luke 21:34-36
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. / For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. / So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Romans 13:11-14
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. / The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. / Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ...

James 1:22-25
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ...

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.


Treasury of Scripture

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

foolish.

Matthew 23:25,26
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess…

Isaiah 48:1,2
Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness…

Isaiah 58:2
Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.

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Foolish Lamps Oil Ones Provide Themselves Torches
Matthew 25
1. The parable of the ten virgins,
14. and of the talents.
31. Also the description of the last judgment.














The foolish ones
This phrase refers to the five virgins in the parable of the ten virgins, which is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse. The term "foolish" is used in Scripture to describe those who lack wisdom and discernment, often in spiritual matters. In Proverbs, foolishness is contrasted with wisdom, which is rooted in the fear of the Lord. The foolish virgins represent individuals who are unprepared for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven.

took their lamps
Lamps in the ancient Near East were small, handheld vessels that held oil and a wick. They symbolize the light of faith and readiness. In the context of the parable, the lamps represent the outward appearance of readiness for the bridegroom's arrival, which is a metaphor for Christ's return. The act of taking lamps suggests an initial acceptance of the invitation to the wedding feast, akin to an initial acceptance of the gospel.

but did not take along any extra oil
Oil in the Bible often symbolizes the Holy Spirit, anointing, and spiritual preparedness. The lack of extra oil indicates a failure to maintain a living, active faith and readiness for Christ's return. This phrase highlights the importance of perseverance and continual spiritual vigilance. The absence of extra oil suggests a superficial faith that lacks depth and sustainability, similar to the seed that fell on rocky ground in the Parable of the Sower, which sprang up quickly but withered away because it had no root.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Foolish Virgins
These are the individuals in the parable who are unprepared for the bridegroom's arrival. They symbolize those who are spiritually negligent and lack foresight.

2. The Wise Virgins
Although not directly mentioned in verse 3, they are the contrast to the foolish virgins. They represent those who are spiritually prepared and vigilant.

3. The Bridegroom
Represents Jesus Christ, whose return is anticipated by the virgins. His arrival signifies the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven.

4. The Lamps
Symbolize the outward profession of faith. All the virgins have lamps, indicating that they all have some level of belief or religious practice.

5. The Oil
Represents the inner spiritual life and preparedness. The lack of extra oil by the foolish virgins highlights their lack of true spiritual readiness.
Teaching Points
Spiritual Preparedness
Just as the wise virgins prepared by bringing extra oil, believers must cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Christ, ensuring they are spiritually ready for His return.

The Importance of Vigilance
The parable teaches the necessity of being watchful and ready at all times, as the timing of Christ's return is unknown.

Outward vs. Inward Faith
Having a lamp (outward faith) is not enough; one must also have oil (inner spiritual life). True faith is demonstrated through a life of obedience and readiness.

Consequences of Negligence
The foolish virgins' lack of preparation serves as a warning about the dangers of spiritual complacency and the eternal consequences of being unprepared.

Daily Spiritual Discipline
Believers are encouraged to engage in daily practices such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship to maintain their spiritual readiness.(3) Took no oil with them.--In the interpretation of the parable, the lamp or torch is obviously the outward life of holiness by which the disciple of Christ lets his light shine before men (Matthew 5:16), and the "oil" is the divine grace, or more definitely, the gift of the Holy Spirit, without which the torch first burns dimly and then expires. The foolish virgins neglected to seek that supply, either from the Great Giver, or through the human agencies by which He graciously imparts it.

Verse 3. - They that were foolish (αἵτινες μωραί)... took no oil with them. It has been doubted whether they brought no oil of their own at all, trusting to get their lamps filled by others, or whether they neglected to bring an additional supply to replenish them when exhausted. The latter seems most likely to be the sense intended; as the spiritual aspect of the parable places both classes in exactly the same position at starting, and we know from other sources that, the oil reservoirs being very small, it was the custom to carry another vessel from which to refill them. Some good manuscripts commence the verse with "for," thus making the verse justify the epithets applied to the virgins.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The
αἱ (hai)
Article - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

foolish [ones]
μωραὶ (mōrai)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3474: Probably from the base of musterion; dull or stupid, i.e. Heedless, blockhead, absurd.

took
λαβοῦσαι (labousai)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

lamps
λαμπάδας (lampadas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2985: A torch, lamp, lantern. From lampo; a 'lamp' or flambeau.

[but did not] take along
ἔλαβον (elabon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

[any extra]
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

oil.
ἔλαιον (elaion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1637: Olive oil, oil. Neuter of the same as elaia; olive oil.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 25:3 Those who were foolish when they took (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 25:2
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