Then all the virgins woke upThis phrase occurs within the Parable of the Ten Virgins, a teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of Heaven. The virgins represent believers awaiting the return of Christ, the bridegroom. The act of waking up signifies a moment of realization or readiness, often associated with the Second Coming of Christ. This awakening can be linked to the call to spiritual vigilance found in other scriptures, such as
1 Thessalonians 5:6, which urges believers to be alert and sober.
and trimmed their lamps.
Trimming the lamps involves preparing them to burn brightly, which in the cultural context of the time, meant cutting the burnt part of the wick and adding oil. This action symbolizes spiritual preparedness and the maintenance of one's faith. The lamp is often seen as a metaphor for the Word of God, as inPsalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The need for oil, representing the Holy Spirit, is crucial for the lamp to function, emphasizing the necessity of the Spirit's presence in a believer's life. The trimming of the lamps can also be seen as a call to holiness and readiness for Christ's return, echoing the themes of purification and sanctification found throughout the New Testament.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
VirginsThe ten virgins represent believers who are awaiting the return of Christ. They are divided into wise and foolish based on their preparedness.
2.
LampsSymbolize the light of faith and readiness. The act of trimming the lamps indicates preparation and vigilance.
3.
BridegroomRepresents Jesus Christ, whose return is anticipated by the virgins.
4.
Wedding FeastSymbolizes the Kingdom of Heaven and the ultimate union with Christ.
5.
MidnightThe unexpected hour of the bridegroom's arrival, emphasizing the need for constant readiness.
Teaching Points
Preparedness in FaithBelievers must maintain a state of readiness for Christ's return, symbolized by the trimming of the lamps.
Spiritual VigilanceJust as the virgins woke up to trim their lamps, Christians are called to be spiritually alert and active in their faith.
The Importance of WisdomThe distinction between the wise and foolish virgins highlights the necessity of wisdom in spiritual matters.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe oil in the lamps can be seen as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, essential for sustaining our spiritual light.
Community AccountabilityThe collective action of the virgins waking up together suggests the importance of encouraging one another in the faith community.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 25:7?
2.How can we ensure our spiritual lamps are always ready like the wise virgins?
3.What does Matthew 25:7 teach about preparedness for Christ's return?
4.How does Matthew 25:7 connect with the parable of the ten virgins?
5.In what ways can we "trimmed their lamps" in our daily lives?
6.How does this verse encourage vigilance in our Christian walk?
7.What does Matthew 25:7 reveal about preparedness in Christian life?
8.How does Matthew 25:7 relate to the concept of spiritual readiness?
9.Why is the symbolism of lamps significant in Matthew 25:7?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 25?
11.What does the Bible say about candles for the dead?
12.What does the menorah symbolize?
13.Why does the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) assume a wedding custom that seems unfamiliar or historically unsubstantiated?
14.What parables did Jesus teach in the Bible?What Does Matthew 25:7 Mean
Then– The word “Then” anchors this moment to the earlier cry, “Here is the bridegroom!” (Matthew 25:6). It signals the decisive point in time when expectation meets reality.
– Scripture consistently shows that God acts at a specific, appointed “then” (Matthew 24:44;Acts 17:31).
– That instant separates those who were merely waiting from those who were ready (Luke 12:35-40;Revelation 19:7).
all the virgins– Every member of the bridal party—wise and foolish alike—responds. Jesus’ parable targets the entire visible church, not the pagan world (2 Corinthians 11:2;1 Peter 4:17).
– External similarities (virgin status, lamps, eagerness) cannot replace inner preparation (Matthew 7:21-23; 13:30).
– Their collective movement reminds us that every professing believer will face the same moment of reckoning (Romans 14:10-12).
woke up– Sleep in Scripture often pictures spiritual lethargy (Romans 13:11-12;Ephesians 5:14).
– The midnight cry jolts them into alertness, but the wise had been living ready all along (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6).
– True readiness is proven when sudden events disrupt ordinary life (Luke 21:34-36).
and trimmed their lamps– Trimming removes charred wick, letting the flame burn bright. It speaks of immediate, practical action:
• For the wise: drawing on the oil they already secured (Galatians 5:25;Philippians 2:15).
• For the foolish: discovering too late that appearance without supply cannot sustain light (Matthew 5:14-16;Revelation 3:1-3).
– The act echoes earlier exhortations to keep lamps burning (Luke 12:35) and to let faith express itself in deeds ready for Christ’s inspection (James 2:17).
summaryMatthew 25:7 captures the critical moment when every professing believer is summoned to meet the returning Lord. All awaken, yet only those who secured the Spirit’s “oil” beforehand can keep their lamps blazing. The verse warns that last-minute activity cannot replace a life of genuine, continual readiness, urging us to live prepared for the “then” that surely comes.
Verse 7. -
Trimmed their lamps. The trimming consisted in removing the charred portion of the wick, and raising the wick itself by means of a pointed wire which was fastened by a chain to each lamp. These operations would be followed by the replenishment of the vase with oil from the vessel carried for what purpose. In a spiritual sense the dormant grace has to be revived at the awful summons. It had, indeed, come upon all unexpectedly at the moment; but while one party was ready to meet the emergency, the other was wholly unprepared. The foolish, indeed, got their wicks ready to light, when they suddenly discovered that they had no oil in their lamps, and remembered that they had brought no further supply with them.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
ThenΤότε(Tote)Adverb
Strong's 5119:Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.allπᾶσαι(pasai)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.theαἱ(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.virginsπαρθένοι(parthenoi)Noun - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3933:Of unknown origin; a maiden; by implication, an unmarried daughter.woke upἠγέρθησαν(ēgerthēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1453:(a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.trimmedἐκόσμησαν(ekosmēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2885:To put into order; I decorate, deck, adorn. From kosmos; to put in proper order, i.e. Decorate; specially, to snuff.theirἑαυτῶν(heautōn)Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438:Himself, herself, itself.lamps.λαμπάδας(lampadas)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2985:A torch, lamp, lantern. From lampo; a 'lamp' or flambeau.
Links
Matthew 25:7 NIVMatthew 25:7 NLTMatthew 25:7 ESVMatthew 25:7 NASBMatthew 25:7 KJV
Matthew 25:7 BibleApps.comMatthew 25:7 Biblia ParalelaMatthew 25:7 Chinese BibleMatthew 25:7 French BibleMatthew 25:7 Catholic Bible
NT Gospels: Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed (Matt. Mat Mt) 
