When the bridegroom was delayedIn the context of Jewish wedding customs, the bridegroom's arrival was often unpredictable, as he would come to the bride's house to bring her to the wedding feast. This delay symbolizes the period between Christ's first and second coming. The delay tests the readiness and faithfulness of believers, echoing the theme of vigilance found in other parables, such as the Parable of the Ten Virgins. The delay also reflects the patience of God, who desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance (
2 Peter 3:9).
they all became drowsy
The drowsiness of the virgins represents the natural human tendency to become complacent over time, especially when expectations are not met immediately. This can be seen as a warning against spiritual lethargy and the importance of maintaining a vigilant and active faith. The idea of spiritual sleepiness is addressed in other scriptures, such asRomans 13:11, which calls believers to wake from sleep because salvation is nearer now than when they first believed.
and fell asleep
Falling asleep here is not condemned in the parable, as both the wise and foolish virgins do so. It suggests the inevitability of human weakness and the need for rest. However, the key difference lies in their preparedness for the bridegroom's arrival. This sleep can be seen as a metaphor for death or the end of life, where one's spiritual readiness is crucial. The call to be prepared is echoed in1 Thessalonians 5:6, urging believers to stay awake and sober, living in anticipation of Christ's return.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The BridegroomRepresents Jesus Christ, who is central to the parable and symbolizes His return.
2.
The Ten VirginsSymbolize believers who are waiting for the return of Christ. They are divided into wise and foolish based on their preparedness.
3.
The DelayRepresents the period between Christ's ascension and His second coming, a time of waiting and testing for believers.
4.
The SleepIndicates a state of inactivity or unpreparedness that can affect all believers during the waiting period.
5.
The Wedding FeastSymbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven and the ultimate union of Christ with His Church.
Teaching Points
The Importance of ReadinessBelievers must remain spiritually vigilant and prepared for Christ's return, even when it seems delayed.
The Danger of Spiritual DrowsinessSpiritual complacency can lead to unpreparedness. Regular spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, and fellowship are essential to stay alert.
Understanding God's TimingGod's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed to us. Trust in His plan and remain faithful during the waiting period.
Community AccountabilityEncourage one another in the faith to remain prepared and alert. The community of believers plays a crucial role in mutual encouragement and accountability.
The Consequences of UnpreparednessThe parable warns of the consequences of being unprepared. It serves as a reminder to evaluate our spiritual state regularly.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 25:5?
2.How does Matthew 25:5 encourage patience in awaiting Christ's return?
3.What lessons on preparedness can we learn from the "bridegroom was delayed"?
4.How does Matthew 25:5 connect with 2 Peter 3:9 about God's timing?
5.In what ways can we remain vigilant in our faith daily?
6.How can we apply the parable's message to our spiritual readiness today?
7.Why did the bridegroom delay in Matthew 25:5, and what does it symbolize?
8.How does Matthew 25:5 challenge our understanding of divine timing?
9.What historical context explains the bridegroom's delay in Matthew 25:5?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 25?
11.What does the Bible say about spiritual sleep?
12.What is the main theme of 'The Bridegroom'?
13.Are you prepared for the wedding feast properly?
14.Is heaven everlasting?What Does Matthew 25:5 Mean
When the bridegroom was delayed• “When the bridegroom was delayed” points to the period between Christ’s ascension and His return.
• The verse assures us that delay is not denial; it echoes2 Peter 3:9, where the Lord is “not slow in keeping His promise,” andHabakkuk 2:3, “Though it lingers, wait for it; it will surely come.”
• The delay tests faith and readiness, just asLuke 12:35–40 urges servants to keep lamps burning because the Master may come at an unexpected hour.
• It also highlights grace, giving more people time to repent (Romans 2:4).
they all became drowsy• Both the wise and the foolish virgins “became drowsy,” showing that even faithful believers can grow tired in a prolonged wait.
•Galatians 6:9 encourages, “Let us not grow weary in doing good,” acknowledging the reality of fatigue yet calling for perseverance.
•Hebrews 10:23–25 urges us to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess… all the more as you see the Day approaching,” offering practical steps:
– Regular fellowship
– Mutual encouragement
– Consistent worship
• Spiritual drowsiness need not lead to failure; it becomes dangerous only if paired with lack of preparedness (oil).
and fell asleep• Sleep here is physical rest, not moral failure. Even the wise slept; their preparedness made the difference (Proverbs 3:24 shows sleep can be peaceful for the righteous).
• The picture contrasts with spiritual slumber warned against inRomans 13:11: “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber.”
•1 Thessalonians 5:6 says, “So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober,” reminding believers that alertness is a heart posture, not continual wakefulness.
• Practical safeguards against spiritual sleep:
– Daily Scripture intake (Psalm 119:105)
– Ongoing prayer (Ephesians 6:18)
– Active service (James 2:17)
summaryMatthew 25:5 reassures us that Christ’s seeming delay is purposeful, warns that every believer can grow weary, and calls us to maintain readiness even while we rest. The wise stay prepared through faith, obedience, and the Spirit’s sustaining oil, confident that the Bridegroom will arrive right on time.
(5)
While the bridegroom tarried.--Strictly speaking, the time thus described includes the whole interval between our Lord's Ascension and His final Advent; but looking to the law of "springing and germinant accomplishments," which we have recognised as applicable to the whole subject, we may see in it that which answers to any period in the history of any church, or, indeed, in the life of any member of a church, in which things go smoothly and as after the routine of custom. At such a time even the wise and good are apt to slumber, and the crisis, which is to them, if not to the world at large, as the bridegroom's coming, takes them by surprise; but they have, what the foolish have not, the reserved force of steadfast faith and divine help to fall back upon. We may note that the "delay" in this case is followed by a less glaring form of evil than that in
Matthew 24:48. Not reckless and brutal greed, but simple apathy and neglect is the fault noted for condemnation.
Slumbered and slept.--The first word implies the "nodding" which indicates the first approach of drowsiness, the second the continuous sleeping.
Verse 5. -
While the bridegroom tarried (
Matthew 24:48). We may suppose that all had lighted their lamps at first, in expectation of being immediately called to meet the bridegroom. But he came not. The advent of Christ was not to be as speedy as the disciples imagined. No one could divine when it would take place. As St. Augustine says, "Latet ultimus dies, ut observetur omnis dies." See here a figure of each Christian's probation.
They all slumbered (
ἐνύσταξαν)
and slept (
ἐκάθευδον) The first verb implies the nodding and napping of persons sitting up at night; the second means "they began to sleep," actually. All, wise and foolish, did this; so in itself it was not sinful, it was only natural. To such drowsiness the best of Christians are liable. The bow cannot be kept always strung; "Neque semper arcum tendit Apollo." Having made all preparations, the virgins ceased for a while to think of the bridegroom's coming. The Fathers take this sleep to be an image of death, the awaking to be the resurrection, when the difference between the two classes is known and displayed. But this would imply that all the faithful will be dead when the Lord comes, which is contrary to
1 Thessalonians 4:17. Nor, on the other hand, is it conceivable that they whose lamps are kept burning till the day of death will be unprovided when the Lord comes.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[When]δὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.theτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.bridegroomνυμφίου(nymphiou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3566:A bridegroom. From numphe; a bride-groom.was delayed,χρονίζοντος(chronizontos)Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5549:To delay, tarry, linger, spend time. From chronos; to take time, i.e. Linger.they all became drowsyἐνύσταξαν(enystaxan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3573:To nod in sleep, be drowsy, slumber. From a presumed derivative of neuo; to nod, i.e. to fall asleep; figuratively, to delay.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.fell asleep.ἐκάθευδον(ekatheudon)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2518:To sleep, be sleeping. From kata and heudo; to lie down to rest, i.e. to fall asleep.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 25:5 Now while the bridegroom delayed they all (Matt. Mat Mt) 
