- 1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
- 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
- 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
- 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
- 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
- 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
- 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
- 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
- 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.
- 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.
- 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
- 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
- 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
- 14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
- 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
- 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
- 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
- 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
- 19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
- 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
- 21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
- 22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
- 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
- 24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
- 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
- 26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
- 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
- 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
- 29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
- 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
- 31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
- 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
- 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
- 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
- 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
- 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
- 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
- 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
- 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
- 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
- 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
- 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
- 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
- 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
- 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
- 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
KING JAMES VERSION
MATTHEW 25
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Matthew 25 — Jesus calls His disciples to readiness, faithful stewardship, and merciful service before the King’s judgment.
About this illustration
The wise and foolish attendants provide the chapter’s central visual. The talents and final judgment remain in the caption’s wider synthesis so the image does not crowd three distinct parables into one scene.
Scripture basis: Matthew 25:1–46King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGEANCIENT TEXT CONNECTIONS 
01
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Related 1 Enoch Passages
These links distinguish direct quotation, explicit retelling, strong literary parallel, and broader shared tradition. A parallel does not by itself prove direct dependence.
The Son of Man sits on his glorious throne with angels, judges earthly rulers and people, punishes oppressors, and receives the righteous.
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
6th–7th Century
Papyrus P44: Matthew 25:8–10 in a Greek Witness
Papyrus P44, Metropolitan Museum of Art 14.1.527, comprises Greek lectionary fragments from Thebes dated about AD 580–640 and preserves selected passages from Matthew 17, 18, and 25 and John 10.
Matthew 17:1–3 · Matthew 17:6–7 · Matthew 18:15–17
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
7th Century
Papyrus P73: Matthew 25:43 in a Greek Witness
Papyrus Bodmer L, Gregory-Aland P73, is a tiny seventh-century Greek papyrus fragment preserving Matthew 25:43 and 26:2–3 in the Fondation Martin Bodmer.
Matthew 25:43 · Matthew 26:2–3
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
fourth–sixth century AD (palaeographic range; proposals vary)
Papyrus P35: Matthew 25:12–15 and 20–23
PSI I 1, Gregory-Aland P35, is a late-antique Greek papyrus codex fragment from Oxyrhynchus preserving portions of the ten virgins and talents parables in Matthew 25.
Matthew 25:12–15 · Matthew 25:20–23
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Tenth century AD
Uncial 0249: The Wise and Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25
Uncial 0249: The Wise and Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25 is the independently registered Greek New Testament witness GA 0249, controlled by its manuscript number, present shelfmark, physical form, and surviving biblical contents.
Matthew 25:1–9
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
Late fifth century AD
Codex Veronensis (VL 4): Purple Old Latin Gospels
Codex Veronensis is a late-fifth-century purple parchment Gospel book at Verona whose silver-and-gold Latin text preserves a major Old Latin witness and a long history of cathedral use.
Matthew 25:14–30 · John 1:1–18
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
First century BC–fourth century AD
Shikhin’s Galilean Pottery Industry
Kilns, wasters, molds, and large deposits establish production of jars, household vessels, and lamps for regional trade.
Matthew 25:1–13
Sermons
No Looking Back
Pastor Dean Odle uses an old family plow to illustrate Jesus’s warning in Luke 9:62 about following Him without looking back. Beginning with Romans 8 and John 10, he argues that discipleship requires continually hearing Christ’s voice, resisting the flesh, and surrendering self-will. He examines the excuses in Luke 14, shares personal accounts of ministry decisions, correction, and restoration, and turns to 1 John 2 and Proverbs 3 to urge trust in God’s direction. The sermon closes with warnings drawn from Lot’s wife and the parable of the talents, calling listeners to examine their faith, abide in Christ, and move forward in obedient, fruitful service.
Christian LivingSalvation and the GospelHoly Spirit and Spiritual GiftsDoctrine and Discernment
View sermon Oh They Perish
In “Oh They Perish,” Pastor Dean Odle reflects on Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and argues that Christians should share Christ’s grief for people who are spiritually lost. Moving through Luke 19, Ecclesiastes 8, and the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16, he stresses judgment, repentance, and the urgency of proclaiming the gospel. Odle criticizes churches that avoid hell, Christ’s exclusivity, biblical authority, and sound doctrine, while calling every believer—not only pastors—to evangelize boldly. Personal testimony, Daniel’s end-time witness, and Paul’s travail for the Galatians support his appeal for compassionate truth-telling, perseverance, and obedience to Jesus Christ.
Salvation and the GospelChristian LivingDoctrine and DiscernmentChurch and Ministry
View sermon Born Again and Ready
In “Born Again and Ready,” Pastor Dean Odle argues that conversion is the beginning of the Christian race, not permission to return to habitual sin. Beginning with Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in John 3, he presents the new birth as a real work of the Holy Spirit received through heartfelt faith, repentance, and confession of Christ. He then contrasts a merely verbal profession with obedient faith, drawing on James 2:17 and Titus 1:16.
Doctrine and DiscernmentSalvation and the GospelChristian LivingBible Prophecy
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 6 sermons
Teachings
01Come Out of Her
A biblical call to leave Mystery Babylon, religious mixture, counterfeit unity, and spiritually dead fellowship—and to belong wholly to Jesus Christ in truth, holiness, and living faith.
Read the study