What does the oil represent that the virgins went to buy?
Matthew 25:1 - 13
ESV - 1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
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Asked November 08 2020
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Gregory Jones
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Aurel Gheorghe
According to Bible scholars, a woman in the bible represents a church (Rev 12) while a virgin represents a pure church (Rev 12:1-6). All ten were pure, but five were foolish and five were wise. A lamp represents the word of God (Ps 119:105). Oil represents the Holy Spirit (1 Sam 16:13; Zech 4:2-6). The five foolish virgins although they have lamps (the Word of God), did not have oil (the Holy Spirit) to last them till the end. They knew the Scriptures but were not truly born again (John 3:5) and did not really love the Lord (Matt 22:36, 37; John 14:15; 15:10; 1 John 4:8). The parable shows that the ‘oil supply’ is personal – one cannot give it to others – your relationship with God cannot be transferred. Salvation cannot be borrowed.
Tim Maas
To me, the oil in the cited passage (Matthew 25:1-13) represents a continual state of anticipation and spiritual readiness (along with appropriate preparations or actions reflecting that readiness) for Christ's return, which (as Jesus said in Matthew 25:10) will occur when it is not expected. The point being made is similar to that of His previous parable of the faithful and wicked servants (Matthew 24:45-51).
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