Matthew 25

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

1 "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like d ten virgins who took their lamps 1 and went to meet e the bridegroom. 2 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were w wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom f was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But g at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those virgins rose and h trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and i those who were ready went in with him to j the marriage feast, and k the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, l 'Lord, lord, open to us.' 12 l But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, m I do not know you.' 13 n Watch therefore, for you o know neither the day nor the hour.

The Parable of the Talents

14 p "For q it will be like a man r going on a journey, who called his servants 3 and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five s talents, 4 to another two, to another one, t to each according to his ability. Then he r went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and u dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now v after a long time the master of those servants came and w settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' 21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and x faithful servant. 5 y You have been faithful over a little; z I will set you over much. Enter into a the joy of your master.' 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' 23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' 24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be b a hard man, reaping c where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here d you have what is yours.' 26 But his master answered him, 'You e wicked and e slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 f For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And g cast h the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place g there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

The Final Judgment

31 i "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, j then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him k will be gathered l all the nations, and m he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates n the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then o the King will say to p those on his right, 'Come, you q who are blessed by my Father, r inherit s the kingdom t prepared for you u from the foundation of the world. 35 For v I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you w gave me drink, x I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 v I was naked and you clothed me, y I was sick and you z visited me, a I was in prison and you came to me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' 40 And b the King will answer them, c 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these d my brothers, 6 you did it to me.'

41 "Then he will say to those on his left, e 'Depart from me, you f cursed, into g the eternal fire prepared for h the devil and his angels. 42 For i I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44 Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' 45 Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, j you did not do it to me.' 46 And these will go away k into eternal punishment, but the righteous k into l eternal life."

  1. Cross References
    Luke 19:13
    Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, 'Engage in business until I come.
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 9:15
    And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.
    John 3:29
    The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.
    Revelation 19:7
    Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.
    Revelation 21:2
    And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
    Revelation 21:9
    Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.
  3. Cross References
    Matthew 24:45
    Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?
  4. Cross References
    Matthew 24:48
    But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed.
    Matthew 25:19
    Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
    Hebrews 10:37
    For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay.
    2 Peter 3:4
    They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.
    2 Peter 3:9
    The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
  5. Cross References
    Mark 13:35
    Therefore stay awake - for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning -
  6. Cross References
    Luke 12:35
    Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 24:44
    Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 22:2
    The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 25:10 - 12
    And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
    Luke 13:25 - 27
    When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.
  10. Cross References
    Matthew 7:22 - 23
    On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?
  11. Cross References
    Matthew 25:11
    Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.
  12. Cross References
    Matthew 10:33
    But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
    2 Timothy 2:19
    But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 24:42
    Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
  14. Cross References
    Matthew 24:50
    The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 25:14 - 30
    For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.
    Luke 19:12 - 27
    He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.
  16. Cross References
    Mark 13:34
    It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.
  17. Cross References
    Matthew 21:33
    Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country.
  18. Cross References
    Matthew 18:24
    When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
  19. Cross References
    Romans 12:6
    Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith.
    1 Corinthians 12:11
    All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
    Ephesians 4:7
    But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
    1 Peter 4:10
    As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
  20. Cross References
    Matthew 25:14
    For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.
  21. Cross References
    Matthew 13:44
    The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
  22. Cross References
    Matthew 25:5
    As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.
  23. Cross References
    Matthew 18:23
    Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.
    Romans 14:12
    So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
    Luke 16:2
    And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.
  24. Cross References
    Matthew 25:23
    His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.
    Matthew 24:45
    Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?
  25. Cross References
    Luke 16:10
    One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
    1 Corinthians 4:2
    Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
    1 Timothy 3:13
    For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
  26. Cross References
    Matthew 24:47
    Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
  27. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:2
    Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
    John 15:11
    These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
  28. Cross References
    1 Samuel 25:3
    Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite.
  29. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:12
    For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
  30. Cross References
    Matthew 20:14
    Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you.
  31. Cross References
    Matthew 18:32
    Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
    Proverbs 20:4
    The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.
    Romans 12:11
    Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
  32. Cross References
    Matthew 18:32
    Then his master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
    Proverbs 20:4
    The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.
    Romans 12:11
    Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
  33. Cross References
    Luke 12:48
    But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
    Matthew 13:12
    For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
  34. Cross References
    Matthew 8:12
    While the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
  35. Cross References
    Matthew 8:12
    While the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
  36. Cross References
    Luke 17:10
    So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'
  37. Cross References
    Matthew 16:27 - 28
    For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
  38. Cross References
    Matthew 19:28
    Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
  39. Cross References
    Matthew 24:31
    And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
  40. Cross References
    Joel 3:12
    Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
    Matthew 24:14
    And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
    Matthew 28:19
    Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
  41. Cross References
    Matthew 13:49
    So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous
  42. Cross References
    Ezekiel 34:17
    As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God : Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats.
  43. Cross References
    Matthew 25:40
    And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.
    Luke 19:38
    Saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!
    Revelation 17:14
    They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.
    Revelation 19:16
    On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
    Isaiah 6:5
    And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!
  44. Cross References
    1 Kings 2:19
    So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king's mother, and she sat on his right.
    Psalms 45:9
    Daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
    Psalms 110:1
    The Lord says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.
  45. Cross References
    Psalms 37:22
    For those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
    Isaiah 65:23
    They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the Lord, and their descendants with them.
    Ephesians 1:3
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
  46. Cross References
    Matthew 19:29
    And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
    Revelation 21:7
    The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
  47. Cross References
    Luke 12:32
    Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
    Luke 22:29
    And I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom.
  48. Cross References
    Matthew 20:23
    He said to them, "You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.
    1 Corinthians 2:9
    But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" -
    Hebrews 11:16
    But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
  49. Cross References
    Matthew 13:35
    This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: "I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.
  50. Cross References
    Isaiah 58:7
    Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
    Ezekiel 18:7
    Does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment.
    Ezekiel 18:16
    Does not oppress anyone, exacts no pledge, commits no robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment.
    James 2:15 - 16
    If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food.
  51. Cross References
    Matthew 10:42
    And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
  52. Cross References
    Job 31:32
    ( the sojourner has not lodged in the street; I have opened my doors to the traveler).
    Romans 12:13
    Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
    Hebrews 13:1 - 2
    Let brotherly love continue.
    3 John 1:5
    Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are.
  53. Cross References
    Matthew 25:35
    For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
  54. Cross References
    Luke 10:33 - 34
    But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.
  55. Cross References
    James 1:27
    Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
  56. Cross References
    2 Timothy 1:16
    May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
    Hebrews 10:34
    For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
    Hebrews 13:3
    Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.
  57. Cross References
    Matthew 25:34
    Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
  58. Cross References
    Matthew 10:40
    Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
    Matthew 10:42
    And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
  59. Cross References
    Matthew 28:10
    Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.
    John 20:17
    Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'
    Romans 8:29
    For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
    Hebrews 2:11
    For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers.
    Matthew 12:50
    For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.
  60. Cross References
    Matthew 7:23
    And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.
  61. Cross References
    Hebrews 6:8
    But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
  62. Cross References
    Matthew 13:40
    Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with ...
    Matthew 13:42
    And throw them into the fiery furnace. In that ...
    Matthew 18:8
    And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin...
    Mark 9:43
    And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off....
    Mark 9:48
    'where their worm does not die and the fire is ...
    Jude 1:7
    Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding ...
    Luke 16:24
    And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy ...
    2 Thessalonians 1:8
    In flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those ...
  63. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:4
    For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment.
    Jude 1:6
    And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day -
    Revelation 12:7
    Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back.
  64. Cross References
    Job 22:7
    You have given no water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.
  65. Cross References
    Luke 10:16
    "The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
    Acts 9:5
    And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
    1 Corinthians 8:12
    Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
  66. Cross References
    Daniel 12:2
    And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
    John 5:29
    And come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
    Acts 24:15
    Having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
  67. Cross References
    Daniel 12:2
    And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
    John 5:29
    And come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
    Acts 24:15
    Having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
  68. Cross References
    Romans 2:7
    To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
    Romans 5:21
    So that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
    Romans 6:23
    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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