Matthew 25:10

But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples while narrating a parable about ten virgins awaiting a bridegroom. The verse marks the moment the bridegroom arrives while five foolish virgins are departing to purchase oil.

The words — ἀπερχομένων (aperchomenōn) conveys the continuous action of "going away," while ἦλθεν (ēlthen) denotes the sudden, completed arrival of the bridegroom. These verbs contrast the delayed preparation of the foolish virgins with the timely fulfillment of the wedding.

The thread — The closed door motif reappears in Luke 13:25, where a homeowner shuts the door and refuses entry to those knocking outside, and in Matthew 24:44, which warns that the Son of Man will come at an unexpected hour.

Why it lands — The text records that immediate entry was granted only to those already prepared, while the door closed to those who delayed. It demands that readers maintain their readiness now rather than seeking access after the decisive moment has passed.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Luke 13:25 After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’
Matthew 24:44 For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.
Luke 12:36 Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Genesis 7:16 And they entered, the male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.
Psalms 95:11 So I swore on oath in My anger, “They shall never enter My rest.”
Amos 8:12 People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.
Matthew 25:6 At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
2 Timothy 4:8 From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
Hebrews 3:18 And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed?