SEV Biblia, Chapter 25:7
Entonces todas aquellas vírgenes se levantaron, y aderezaron sus lmparas.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 25:7
Verse 7. Trimmed their lamps.] ekosmhsan, adorned them. I have seen some of the eastern lamps or lanthorns, the body of which was a skeleton of wood and threads, covered with a very thin transparent membrane, or very fine gauze, and decorated with flowers painted on it. It is probable that the nuptial 1amps were highly decorated in this way; though the act mentioned here may mean no more than preparing the lamps for burning. The following account of the celebration of a wedding in Persia, taken from the Zend Avesta, vol. ii. p. 558, &c., may cast some light on this place.
"The day appointed for the marriage, about five o'clock in the evening, the bridegroom comes to the house of the bride, where the mobed, or priest, pronounces for the first time the nuptial benediction. He then brings her to his own house, gives her some refreshment, and afterwards the assembly of her relatives and friends reconduct her to her father's house. When she arrives, the mobed repeats the nuptial benediction, which is generally done about MIDNIGHT; immediately after, the bride, accompanied with a part of her attending troop, (the rest having returned to their own homes,) is reconducted to the house of her husband, where she generally arrives about three o'clock in the morning. Nothing can be more brilliant than these nuptial solemnities in India. Sometimes the assembly consists of not less than two thousand persons, all richly dressed in gold and silver tissue; the friends and relatives of the bride, encompassed with their domestics, are all mounted on horses richly harnessed. The goods, wardrobe, and even the bed of the bride, are carried in triumph. The husband, richly mounted and magnificently dressed, is accompanied by his friends and relatives, the friends of the bride following him in covered carriages. At intervals, during the procession, guns and rockets are fired, and the spectacle is rendered grand beyond description, by a prodigious number of LIGHTED TORCHES, and by the SOUND of a multitude of musical instruments." There are certain preparations which most persons believe they must make at the approach of death; but, alas! it is often too late. The lamp is defiled, the light almost out, and the oil expended; and what adorning is a wretched sinner, struggling in the agonies of death, capable of preparing for his guilty soul!
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. Then all these virgins arose , etc.] Not out of their graves; for the righteous and wicked will not rise together; the dead in Christ will rise first, and this first resurrection will not be till Christ is come; nor will grace be to be had, or be thought to be had after the resurrection; nor will there be any trimming of lamps then, in order to meet the bridegroom, for he will be come: nor out of the graves of sin; for the wise virgins were not in such a state, and the foolish virgins were never brought out of it: but the meaning is, that they arose out of their sleepy and slumbering frame. True believers may fall into a very low condition, with respect to the exercise of grace, and discharge of duty; but they shall arise again, for they are held and upheld by the right hand of God: it is sometimes midnight with them, and they are fallen fast asleep, but they shall be awaked, and arise; which arising here, as it respects them, signifies, that they were thoroughly awaked, that they quitted their former place and posture, were upon their feet, and ready to meet the bridegroom. The foolish virgins also arose; which may intend some awakenings of conscience, and reformation of life, and a more diligent attendance on duties and ordinances; all which they did to make them meet for Christ, and to obtain salvation; but after all it appears, they were destitute of the oil of grace: and trimmed their lamps: both wise and foolish : the former by removing what hindered the clear burning of them; by casting off the works of darkness, and causing the light of good works to shine before men, in the discharge of them, from a principle of grace; and chiefly by applying to Christ for fresh supplies of the oil of grace, to fill their lamps, revive their light and heat, and keep them burning: and the latter, only by a few outward decorations, and external performances; to make their outward profession of religion look as bright as possibly they could.
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
τοτε 5119 ADV ηγερθησαν 1453 5681 V-API-3P πασαι 3956 A-NPF αι 3588 T-NPF παρθενοι 3933 N-NPF εκειναι 1565 D-NPF και 2532 CONJ εκοσμησαν 2885 5656 V-AAI-3P τας 3588 T-APF λαμπαδας 2985 N-APF αυτων 846 P-GPF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Then all those virgins arose (tote hgerqhsan pasai ai parqenoi ekeinai). The Greek order is expressive. Then arose all the virgins, those former ones. Those (ekeinai) a pronoun of remoter reference, and emphatic by its position at the end of the sentence.Trimmed (ekosmhsan). From kosmov, order, and meaning to put in order or arrange. Tynd., prepared. Trench ("Parables") quotes from Ward ("View of the Hindoos"), describing a marriage ceremony in India:
"After waiting two or three hours, at length near midnight it was announced, was in the very words of Scripture, 'Behold the bridegroom cometh; go yet out to meet him.' All the person employed now lighted their lamps, and ran with them in their hands to fill up their stations in the procession. Some of them had lost their lights, and were unprepared, but it was then too late to seek them, and the cavalcade moved forward."
Their lamps (eautwn). Lit., "their own lamps;" emphasizing the personal preparation in contrast with the foolish, who depended for supply on their fellows.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
25:7 {Trimmed} (ekosmesan). Put in order, made ready. The wicks were trimmed, the lights being out while they slept, fresh oil put in the dish, and lit again. A marriage ceremony in India is described by Ward (_View of the Hindoos_) in Trench's _Parables_: "After waiting two or three hours, at length near midnight it was announced, as in the very words of Scripture, 'Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.'"
