Matthew 25 continues Jesus’ teaching on the end times and the need for readiness, faithfulness, and accountability. It contains three powerful parables: the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the Parable of the Talents, and the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. Each parable conveys a unique lesson about the coming of the kingdom of heaven and how we should prepare for it.
The chapter begins with the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Jesus describes ten virgins who take their lamps and go out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them are wise, bringing extra oil for their lamps, while the other five are foolish and bring none. As the bridegroom delays, they all become drowsy and fall asleep. At midnight, a cry is heard: "Behold, the bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!" The virgins wake up and trim their lamps, but the foolish ones realize they are out of oil and ask the wise virgins to share. The wise virgins refuse, saying there may not be enough for all. Instead, they tell the foolish virgins to go buy more oil. While they are gone, the bridegroom arrives, and those who are ready go with him into the wedding feast, while the door is shut behind them. When the foolish virgins return and beg to be let in, the bridegroom responds, "Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you."
Jesus concludes this parable with a warning: "Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." This parable teaches the importance of being prepared for Christ’s return. The oil represents spiritual readiness—faith, obedience, and a relationship with God that cannot be borrowed from others at the last moment. Those who are unprepared will be shut out from the kingdom.
Next, Jesus tells the Parable of the Talents. A man going on a journey entrusts his servants with his wealth, giving five talents to one, two to another, and one to the last, each according to his ability. The servant with five talents immediately trades and gains five more. The servant with two talents also doubles his investment. However, the servant with one talent buries it in the ground out of fear.
After a long time, the master returns and settles accounts. The first two servants present their profits, and the master commends them, saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." However, the third servant, who hid his talent, says, "Lord, I knew you were a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and gathering where you didn’t scatter. I was afraid and went away and hid your talent in the earth." The master rebukes him as wicked and lazy, saying he should have at least deposited the money to earn interest. He takes the talent from him and gives it to the one with ten talents, saying, "For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away." The unfaithful servant is cast into outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
This parable teaches that God has entrusted us with abilities, resources, and opportunities, and He expects us to use them wisely for His kingdom. Fear and laziness are not acceptable excuses. Those who faithfully serve God will be rewarded, while those who waste what they have been given will face judgment.
Finally, Jesus gives the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, describing the final judgment. When the Son of Man comes in His glory with the angels, He will sit on His throne and separate the nations like a shepherd separating sheep from goats. The sheep are placed on His right, and the goats on His left.
To the sheep, the King says, "Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me." The righteous, surprised, ask, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink?" Jesus responds, "Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."
To the goats, however, the King declares the opposite: "Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels." He explains that they failed to care for the hungry, the sick, and the imprisoned. They also ask when they saw Him in need and failed to help. Jesus responds, "Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me."
Jesus concludes by stating that the righteous will enter eternal life, while the wicked will face eternal punishment. This parable teaches that true faith is demonstrated through acts of love and service. Jesus identifies Himself with the needy, showing that how we treat others is how we treat Him.
Matthew 25 carries a strong message about readiness, faithfulness, and judgment. The Parable of the Ten Virgins emphasizes personal spiritual preparedness. The Parable of the Talents teaches that we must actively use what God has given us. The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats highlights the importance of love and compassion. Together, these parables challenge us to live with purpose, knowing that Christ will return and hold us accountable for how we lived.
Are we prepared for His return? Are we using our gifts for His kingdom? Are we serving others with love? These are the questions this chapter compels us to ask as we await His coming.