SEV Biblia, Chapter 25:2
Y cinco de ellas eran prudentes, y cinco fatuas.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:2
Verse 2. Five of them were wise] Or, provident, fronimoi-they took care to make a proper provision beforehand, and left nothing to be done in the last moment. Five were foolish] mwroi, which might be translated careless, is generally rendered foolish; but this does not agree so well with fronimoi, provident, or prudent, in the first clause, which is the proper meaning of the word. mwrov in the Etymologicon, is thus defined, mh ora to deon, he who sees not what is proper or necessary. These did not see that it was necessary to have oil in their vessels, (the salvation of God in their souls,) as well as a burning lamp of religious profession, ver. 3, 4.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 2. And five of them were wise , etc.] The order of these words is inverted in some versions, as in the Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic, and in Munsters Hebrew Gospel, which read, and five of them were foolish, and five of them were wise; but this is of no great consequence.
There is a parable of R. Jochanan ben Zaccai f1438 , who lived before, and after the destruction of the second temple, which bears some likeness to this part of the parable, and others in it, and is this; a certain king invited his servants, but did not fix any time for them; those of them that were yhqp , wise, adorned themselves, and sat at the gate of the kings house, and said, is there any want at the kings house? but those of them that were ypj , fools, went and did their work, and said, is there any feast without trouble? on a sudden, the king inquired after his servants: the wise went in before him, as they were, adorned; but the fools went in before him, as they were, filthy: the king rejoiced at meeting the wise, and was angry at meeting the foolish; and ordered, that those who had adorned themselves for the feast should sit and eat, and those that had not adorned themselves for the feast should stand.
The wise virgins are such, who are wise, not in their own conceits, which is the case of natural men, and empty professors; nor in the things of nature, or in the things of the world, of which the saints are oftentimes less knowing than others; nor in notional and speculative knowledge, much less in things that are evil: but they are such who are wise unto salvation; who not only know the scheme of it, but are sensible of their need of it; apply to Christ for it; venture their souls on him, and commit them to him: they trust in his righteousness for justification; in his blood for pardon; in his sacrifice for atonement; in his fulness for daily supplies; in his grace and strength to perform every duty; and expect eternal life in, and from him: they know him, prize him, and value him as their Saviour; rejoice in him, and give him all the glory; and they are such who are also wise in the business of a profession, as well as in the affair of salvation; they are such who take up a profession of religion aright, upon principles of grace, and after mature thought and deliberation; and when they have so done, hold it fast without wavering, walk becoming it in their lives and conversations; and yet do not depend on it, or trust to it: and five were foolish ; not in their own apprehension, in which they might be wise enough; nor in the judgment of others; nor in natural knowledge; or with respect to the things of the world; nor in speculative notions of the Gospel; nor merely so called, because unconverted; every unconverted man being a foolish man: but they were so in the business of salvation; as all are who build their hopes of it on birth privileges; on a carnal descent from good men; on a religious education; on their own righteousness; or on the absolute mercy of God; and not on Christ, the one only, and sure foundation: they are such who know not themselves; the impurity of their hearts, and nature; their impotency to that which is spiritually good; and the imperfection and insufficiency of their own righteousness: they know not Christ, and his salvation, neither the worth, nor want of him, or that; and are altogether strangers to the power of godliness, and spiritual experience: and are also as foolish in the affair of a profession, which they take up without a work of the Spirit of God upon their souls, and without considering the cost and charge of it; and either in a little time wholly drop it, or, if they hold it, they foolishly depend upon it, or lead lives unsuitable to it. The number of wise and foolish virgins being equal, does not imply that there will be just the same number of nominal, as of real believers in the churches, in the latter day, a little before the coming of Christ; only that there will be a large number of such among them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-13 - The circumstances of the parable of the ten virgins were taken from the marriage customs among the Jews, and explain the great day of Christ' coming. See the nature of Christianity. As Christians we profess to attend upon Christ, to honour him, also to be waiting for his coming Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolis ones. Those are the truly wise or foolish that are so in the affairs of their souls. Many have a lamp of profession in their hands, but have not, in their hearts, sound knowledge and settled resolution, which ar needed to carry them through the services and trials of the presen state. Their hearts are not stored with holy dispositions, by the new-creating Spirit of God. Our light must shine before men in goo works; but this is not likely to be long done, unless there is a fixed active principle in the heart, of faith in Christ, and love to God an our brethren. They all slumbered and slept. The delay represents the space between the real or apparent conversion of these professors, an the coming of Christ, to take them away by death, or to judge the world. But though Christ tarry past our time, he will not tarry pas the due time. The wise virgins kept their lamps burning, but they di not keep themselves awake. Too many real Christians grow remiss, an one degree of carelessness makes way for another. Those that allo themselves to slumber, will scarcely keep from sleeping; therefor dread the beginning of spiritual decays. A startling summons was given God ye forth to meet Him, is a call to those prepared. The notice of Christ's approach, and the call to meet him, will awaken. Even thos best prepared for death have work to do to get actually ready, 2P 3:14. It will be a day of search and inquiry; and it concerns us to think how we shall then be found. Some wanted oil to supply their lamp when going out. Those that take up short of true grace, will certainl find the want of it one time or other. An outward profession may ligh a man along this world, but the damps of the valley of the shadow of death will put out such a light. Those who care not to live the life yet would die the death of the righteous. But those that would be saved, must have grace of their own; and those that have most grace have none to spare. The best need more from Christ. And while the poor alarmed soul addresses itself, upon a sick-bed, to repentance an prayer, in awful confusion, death comes, judgment comes, the work i undone, and the poor sinner is undone for ever. This comes of havin oil to buy when we should burn it, grace to get when we should use it Those, and those only, shall go to heaven hereafter, that are mad ready for heaven here. The suddenness of death and of Christ's comin to us then, will not hinder our happiness, if we have been prepared The door was shut. Many will seek admission into heaven when it is to late. The vain confidence of hypocrites will carry them far i expectations of happiness. The unexpected summons of death may alar the Christian; but, proceeding without delay to trim his lamp, his graces often shine more bright; while the mere professor's conduc shows that his lamp is going out. Watch therefore, attend to the business of your souls. Be in the fear of the Lord all the day long.
Greek Textus Receptus
πεντε 4002 A-NUI δε 1161 CONJ ησαν 2258 5713 V-IXI-3P εξ 1537 PREP αυτων 846 P-GPF φρονιμοι 5429 A-NPF και 2532 CONJ αι 3588 T-NPF πεντε 4002 A-NUI μωραι 3474 A-NPF
