Matthew 25:3
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Original Language Analysis
μωραὶ
that were foolish
G3474
μωραὶ
that were foolish
Strong's:
G3474
Word #:
2 of 11
dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e., heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτῶν,
them
G1438
ἑαυτῶν,
them
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
6 of 11
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
μεθ'
with
G3326
μεθ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
Cross References
2 Timothy 3:5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.Isaiah 58:2Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.Revelation 3:1And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Historical Context
First-century Jewish weddings involved a nighttime procession where bridesmaids carried torches to light the bride's way to the groom's house. Wedding festivities could last seven days. The groom's arrival time was often delayed and uncertain, requiring participants to be prepared for waiting.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you possess the 'oil' of the Spirit, or merely the 'lamp' of religious profession?
- What areas of your Christian life reflect presumptive spiritual negligence rather than Spirit-sustained reality?
- How can you discern whether your faith is self-generated religious activity or Spirit-empowered divine life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them (αἱ μωραὶ λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν οὐκ ἔλαβον μεθ᾽ ἑαυτῶν ἔλαιον, hai mōrai labousai tas lampadas autōn ouk elabon meth' heautōn elaion). The foolish virgins possessed lamps (λαμπάδας, lampadas—torches or oil lamps used in wedding processions) but lacked additional oil (ἔλαιον, elaion).
Oil consistently symbolizes the Holy Spirit in Scripture (1 Samuel 16:13, Zechariah 4:1-6, Acts 10:38). The lamps represent visible profession of faith; the oil represents the indwelling Spirit that sustains genuine spiritual life. The foolish had external religion without internal reality—outward form without regenerating grace. Their folly was not ignorance but negligence: they knew to bring lamps but failed to secure adequate oil, suggesting presumption or spiritual carelessness.