Bible Strands
Matthew 25:8
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The foolish virgins address the wise virgins at the moment their lamps are failing after all the virgins woke and trimmed their lamps.
The words — The terms μωραὶ (mōrai) and φρονίμοις (phronimois) literally designate "the foolish" and "the wise," establishing the verse's structural contrast. The verb εἶπαν (eipan) records their direct speech requesting borrowed oil.
The thread — The command to keep lamps burning appears in Luke 12:35, while the contrast between enduring light and extinguished lamps runs through Proverbs 13:9.
Why it lands — The text states that borrowed readiness cannot sustain a failure, requiring each reader to secure personal provision rather than rely on others.
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 the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 13:9 The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
- Luke 12:35 Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning.
- Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it.
- Matthew 13:20 The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.
- Revelation 3:9 As for those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead, I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you.
- Job 8:13 Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish.
- Job 18:5 Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow.
- Job 21:17 How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come upon them? Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction?
- Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
- Proverbs 20:20 Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.