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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Matthew 25:3–10

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

40 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 3

  1. Revelation 3:15–16Rank 1 from verse 3
    Open

    15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

    16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

  2. 2 Timothy 3:5Rank 2 from verse 3
    Open

    5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

  3. Isaiah 48:1–2Rank 3 from verse 3
    Open

    1HEAR ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.

    2For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The Lord of hosts is his name.

  4. Isaiah 58:2Rank 4 from verse 3
    Open

    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.

  5. Revelation 3:1Rank 5 from verse 3
    Open

    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.

From verse 4

  1. Romans 8:9Rank 1 from verse 4
    Open

    9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

  2. 1 John 2:27Rank 2 from verse 4
    Open

    27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

  3. 1 John 2:20Rank 3 from verse 4
    Open

    20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

  4. John 3:34Rank 4 from verse 4
    Open

    34For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

  5. Galatians 5:22–23Rank 5 from verse 4
    Open

    22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

    23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

From verse 5

  1. Habakkuk 2:3Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    3For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

    7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

    8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

  3. 2 Peter 3:4–9Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

    5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

    6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

    7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

    8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

    9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

  4. Luke 20:9Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    9Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.

  5. Matthew 24:48Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

From verse 6

  1. 2 Peter 3:10Rank 1 from verse 6
    Open

    10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

  2. John 5:28–29Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

    29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

  3. Matthew 24:31Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

  4. Matthew 24:44Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

  5. Matthew 25:1Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    1THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

From verse 7

  1. Luke 12:35Rank 1 from verse 7
    Open

    35Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

  2. 2 Peter 3:14Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

  3. Revelation 3:19–20Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

    20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

  4. Revelation 2:4–5Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

    5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

  5. Revelation 3:2Rank 5 from verse 7
    Open

    2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

From verse 8

  1. Proverbs 13:9Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    9The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

  2. Luke 12:35Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    35Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

  3. Hebrews 4:1Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    1LET us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

  4. Matthew 13:20–21Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

    21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

  5. Revelation 3:9Rank 5 from verse 8
    Open

    9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

From verse 9

  1. Psalms 49:7–9Rank 1 from verse 9
    Open

    7None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

    8(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

    9That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

  2. Revelation 3:17–18Rank 2 from verse 9
    Open

    17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

    18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

  3. Isaiah 55:6–7Rank 3 from verse 9
    Open

    6¶ Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

    7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

  4. Ezekiel 14:20Rank 4 from verse 9
    Open

    20Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

  5. Isaiah 55:1–3Rank 5 from verse 9
    Open

    1HO, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

    2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

    3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

From verse 10

  1. Luke 13:25Rank 1 from verse 10
    Open

    25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

  2. 1 Peter 1:13Rank 2 from verse 10
    Open

    13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

  3. Luke 12:36–37Rank 3 from verse 10
    Open

    36And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

    37Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

  4. Matthew 24:44Rank 4 from verse 10
    Open

    44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

  5. Genesis 7:16Rank 5 from verse 10
    Open

    16And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 25:3

COMBINED MEANING

lamps

↗

Sense 1: Vessels with oil and burning wicks used for light. Sense 2: Figuratively, sources, bearers, continuances, or signs of light.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

oil

↗

1. An oily substance, especially olive oil. 2. To anoint or supply with oil.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 25:4

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

oil

↗

1. An oily substance, especially olive oil. 2. To anoint or supply with oil.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vessels

↗

1. Containers, utensils, or implements made to hold, carry, or serve. 2. Ships or craft for travel upon water. 3. Figuratively, persons or bodies regarded as bearers or instruments.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lamps

↗

Sense 1: Vessels with oil and burning wicks used for light. Sense 2: Figuratively, sources, bearers, continuances, or signs of light.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 25:5

COMBINED MEANING

tarried

↗

Stayed, remained, waited, delayed, lodged, continued, or did not depart or act until a later time or condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

slept

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of sleep. Sense 1: Rested in natural sleep. Sense 2: By figure, lay in death.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 25:6

COMBINED MEANING

midnight

↗

The middle of the night, conventionally about twelve o'clock at night.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

cry

↗

1. A vocal call, shout, proclamation, alarm, wail, or other utterance, often loud. 2. An earnest appeal, prayer, complaint, or outcry for help, justice, or attention. 3. As a verb, to call out, shout, proclaim, wail, appeal, pray, or complain; figuratively, to bear urgent witness or demand notice.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

behold

↗

1. Used as an attention word or command directing someone to look at or take notice of the person, thing, statement, or event presented: look; see; take notice. 2. As a verb, to look upon, see, observe, or witness.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

meet

↗

Sense 1: To come or bring together, encounter, assemble, or join. Sense 2: Fitting, suitable, proper, worthy, or qualified.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 25:7

COMBINED MEANING

arose

↗

1. Rose, stood up, got up, or moved upward from a lower, lying, seated, fallen, or inactive position. 2. Began, emerged, appeared, came into being, or came forward. 3. Took action, intervened, or undertook the stated work. 4. Rose from death; returned to life.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lamps

↗

Sense 1: Vessels with oil and burning wicks used for light. Sense 2: Figuratively, sources, bearers, continuances, or signs of light.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 25:8

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

your

↗

The possessive form of ye or you, ordinarily plural, marking what belongs to, concerns, proceeds from, or stands in relation to the persons addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

oil

↗

1. An oily substance, especially olive oil. 2. To anoint or supply with oil.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lamps

↗

Sense 1: Vessels with oil and burning wicks used for light. Sense 2: Figuratively, sources, bearers, continuances, or signs of light.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

gone

↗

Departed, went away, passed, or advanced to another place or condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 25:9

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

answered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of answer, meaning to reply, respond, or give account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

lest

↗

For fear that, to prevent the possibility that, or so that an undesired or warned-of result may not occur.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sell

↗

1. To transfer for a price. 2. To betray or surrender into another's power.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 25:10

COMBINED MEANING

ready

↗

Prepared; in a state requiring no delay; willing or prompt.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

marriage

↗

Sense 1: The covenant union of a man and a woman as husband and wife. Sense 2: The celebration of that union.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shut

↗

To close, fasten, block, confine, stop, exclude, or make inaccessible.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

FOLLOW THE THEME

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Surrounding Verses

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2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

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4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

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5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

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6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Selected passage

7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

Selected passage

8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

Selected passage

9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

Selected passage

10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Selected passage

11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

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