Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
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21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
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THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE:
THE ARRIVAL AND THE JUDGMENT
[“Parousia-Judgment”]
(Key word: Judgment)
Matthew 25:1-12 – Judgment by the King and Ten Virgins
MT25:1 “At that time
the Realm of Heaven will become like ten virgins who took their lamps to go to the meeting of the bridegroom.
| 1533 | At that time: The Greek is TOTE and records what happens during the period last mentioned: the judgment on the household
when the master arrives. |
| 1534 | Realm of Heaven will become like: There is something about the Church
and its membership which can be compared to these ten virgins at this particular prophetic moment. |
| 1535 |
Ten virgins: The total or complete number of Christians on earth at the moment of the parousia. Compare 2 Corinthians 11:3. |
| 1536 |
Lamps: Jesus has likened a lamp and the light it sheds as righteous works. See the notes on Matthew 5:14-16. The Word of God is likened to a “lamp” in Psalm 119:105 (Proverbs 6:23; 2 Peter 1:19). The oil which fuels the lamp as the holy Pneuma (2 Samuel 22:29). It is God who lights the lamp (Psalm 18:28). Considering these and other texts the “lamp” is that opportunity and privilege to reveal the sacred truths which light our moral and prophetic way. It is that illumination which is needed to keep one focused on the Return of the King, the parousia. |
| 1537 | Meeting of the bridegroom: Jesus compares himself to a “bridegroom” at John 3:29. Paul uses similar language at 2 Corinthians 11:3 and Ephesians 5:29-33. In Revelation 19:7 and apocalyptic wedding is seen in vision. It occurs following the great oppression and the Parousia and precedes the Lamb’s battle with “the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 21:9) |
MT25:2 But five of them were foolish and five wise.
MT25:3 The foolish took their lamps but had no oil.
MT25:4 The wise had oil in their lamps.
MT25:5 Now when the bridegroom seemed to be taking his time the ten virgins nodded into sleep.
| 1538 | Seemed to be taking his time: Christians have longed for the Return of Christ as the Jewish ancients also asked “How
long?” and “When?” for thousands of years. The Greek word here is CHRONIZONTOS and there is a related word in Habakkuk 2:3, “… though he should tarry wait for him.” Christians keep watching the prophetic horizon.
Some read too much into this and in their presumptuousness (Deuteronomy 18:21-22) wrongly predict dates; others, read too little and become too involved in what Jesus calls “the anxieties of life.” (See the notes on Matthew 13:22) The whole thrust
of the several parables beginning with Matthew 24:43 is to remain alert, awake and in read expectation. NEB: the bridegroom was late in coming. The opposite of modern weddings as the bride is traditionally late. |
| 1539 | Ten virgins nodded into sleep: Will there be a period of time, a moment in the history of the Gospel Age, when Christians in general become lethargic, indifferent, and spiritually asleep? Or is that time already here. Compare 1 Corinthians 11:26, 30. |
MT25:6 In the middle of the night an outcry occurred: ‘Look! the bridegroom! Be on your way to the meeting!’
| 1540 | An outcry occurred: Someone is alert and rouses the “virgins” whether foolish or wise. |
MT25:7 Then all the virgins rose
and put their lamps in order.
| 1541 | All the virgins rose: Note “all” the virgins awaken. It is not a parable about two class: one asleep and
one awake. They are both awake, but one group is ill-prepared. |
MT25:8 But the foolish asked the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil because our lamps are ready
to go out.’
| 1542 | Our lamps are ready to go out: The lesson is one of preparedness. Only one who has been caught on a dark night without
light knows the panic. |
MT25:9 Now the wise virgins answered, ‘No, for perhaps there will not be enough for both of us. Go now and buy oil for yourselves from those who sell it.’
| 1543 | Not be enough for both of us: A case where a Christian does not share. |
| 1544 | Buy oil: See Proverbs 23:23. |
MT25:10 But while the foolish
were off to buy oil the bridegroom arrived and those who were ready entered with him to the
wedding feast and the door was shut.
| 1545 | The bridegroom arrived: Here is a key word which occurs often in several modes: ELTHEN, which means “came”
or “arrived.” It is the same word which appears in Daniel 7:22 (LXX), “… until the Ancient of Days came.” Check the word groups in English came, arrive, coming. These are essentially synonyms for PAROUSIA.
See notes on PAROUSIA in this commentary. For details on the Presence or Parousia of Christ see additional notes under these words or Matthew 24:3 (Matthew 24:3) in Nazarene Commentary©. |
MT25:11 Arriving late the foolish virgins begged, ‘Master, Master, let
us in!’
| 1546 | Master, Master: An address some what limited to reactions at the Judgment. See notes on Matthew 7:21, 22 and Matthew
25:44 (Lamsa). One could make much of every detail of the parable but that may not be the intent. The moral is alert preparedness on the part of expectant disciples of the Nazarene. |
MT25:12 However, [the bridegroom] said: ‘I tell you this truth: I never knew you.’ | 1547 | I never knew you: The meaning is possible: “I never had any kind of relationship with you.” Or, KNX: I do not recognize you.
There will be those “Christians” who had the “name” but actually were not a true Friend of the Nazarene. Compare Revelation 3:1 (Luke 13:27). |
Matthew 25:13 – Keep on the Watch!
MT25:13 “Therefore, because you do not know the day nor the hour: Continue remaining alert and watchful! | 1548 | You do not know: Jesus had said this before and now stresses it again. See notes on Matthew 24:42, 50; Mark 13:33. Just before the moment of his ascension
Jesus told his disciples, “It does not belong to you (apostles) to know times of appointed times which the Father has placed within His own authority.” Despite these clear instructions pseudo prophets have predicted a variety of dates based
on their own interpretations of the Bible. |
| 1549 | Continue remaining alert and watchful: Or, KJV: Watch, therefore; BECK: keep awake; WMS: you must keep on watching; NAS: be on the alert. Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:6 and 1 Peter 5:8. |
Matthew 25:14-30 – Keep Busy until the Parousia
MT25:14 “For this may be compared to a Master about to go on a long journey, who called his slaves and handed over to them his possessions.
| 1550 | A Master about to go on a long journey: The Master is Jesus about ready to leave earth and ascend to heaven. Compare
Luke 19:12. |
MT25:15 To one slave he gave five talents, to another two, and to yet another, one talent – all according to their ability. Then he left on his trip abroad.
| 1551 | Five talents: Or, NEB: five bags of gold; WMS: five thousand dollars; NOR: three thousand pounds; BECK: $10,000. |
| 1552 | Their ability: Or, RHM: each according to his particular ability; NEB: each according to his capacity; BAS: everyone as he
was able. |
| 1553 | Then he left on his trip abroad: Or, NEB: left the country; WMS: started on his long
journey. |
MT25:16 Immediately the slave with five talents put the money to work and gained five more.
MT25:17 Similarly the slave with two gained another two talents.
MT25:18 But, the slave with only the single talent went and dug a hole in the ground and hid the Master’s silver coin.
MT25:19 “Now after a long time the Master of those slaves returned and took up the [financial] logs.
| 1554 | After a long time: No one could have predicted how “long a time” this was to be. See notes on Daniel 7 elsewhere for the prophetic horizon. |
| 1555 | The Master of those slaves returned: The Greek is ERCHETAI and is a virtual synonym for PAROUSIA. The “lord” left and was absent while his slaves worked (or did not work) and when he returns he becomes present again. This parousia begins with judgment of the house and the accounts of each slave. |
| 1556 | Took up the [financial] logs: The Greek is LOGON and this is the record of the slaves’ activity. Or, RSV: settled accounts with them. Regarding the parousia-judgment research judgment and such texts as Matthew 12:36, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 John 2:28. |
MT25:20 First the slave with five talents approached and said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents; see here, I have gained five more.’
MT25:21 His Master told him, ‘Excellent, good and trustworthy slave. You were faithful at something small, I will let you rule over larger matters. Share your Master’s gladness.’
| 1557 | Excellent, good and trustworthy slave: Or, GDSP: my excellent, faithful slave; PME: you are a sound, reliable servant. |
| 1558 | I will let you rule over larger matters: Or, KJV: make thee ruler over many things; RSV: I will set you over much; NEB: put
you in charge of something big; NOR: entrust many things to your care. |
| 1559 | Share your Master’s
gladness: Or, KJV: enter thou into the joy of thy lord; TCNT: come and share your master’s joy; NEB: your master’s delight; MOF: your master’s feast; BECK: be happy with your master. Note the reward for the two is the same. |
MT25:22 Also the slave given the two talents approached and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents; see, I have gained two more.’
MT25:23 His Master told him, ‘Excellent, good and trustworthy slave. You were faithful over something small, I will let you rule over larger matters. Share your Master’s gladness.’
MT25:24 “Finally, the slave given the one talent approached and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a difficult person. You reaped where you did not sow and you gathered [grain] you have never scattered.
| 1560 | A difficult person: Or, KJV: a hard man; WEY: a severe man; NOR: a tight-fisted man. Few would view Jesus as “hard”
or “severe.” On the one hand this is the view of the wicked slave; on the other it is good to realize the Lord has two sides – one he shows to the faithful and one he shows to the wicked. |
MT25:25 Because I was afraid of you I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, here, I am returning what is yours.’
MT25:26 Now his Master responded to him and said, ‘Evil and lazy slave, you were aware that I reaped where I did not plant and I gathered in where I had not scattered seed.
| 1561 | Evil and lazy slave: Or, KJV: wicked and slothful; RHM: wicked servant and cowardly; NEB: you lazy rascal; TCNT: you
lazy, worthless servant. This is the slave in love with the inspiration of Jesus but hating the work of Jesus. |
MT25:27 At least it was a necessity that you deposit
my silver coins with the bankers. Then upon my arrival I take what is mine with interest.’ | 1562 | What is mine with interest: What has our Lord given us to do business with? How do we increase these? Surely it is more than a pleasing personality having
memorized inspirational verses? Do we see in our Lord an example of increasing his Master’s possessions? |
MT25:28 “‘So, take the talent from him and give it to the slave with the ten talents.
MT25:29 Because [the trustworthy and responsible] person will be given even more bountifully. On the other hand, [the irresponsible and lazy] person will be deprived of even what he might have possessed.
| 1563 | [The trustworthy and responsible] person will be given even more bountifully: Or, TCNT: for, to him who has, more will
be given; RIEU: for in every case more shall be given to the man who has. |
MT25:30 Throw this useless slave into the darkness outside. There will be great lamentation and grinding of teeth.’”| 1564 | The darkness outside: That judgment described at Daniel 12:2 and Matthew 25:46. |
Matthew 25:31-46 – Judgment on the Realm of Heaven
MT25:31 “Further,
when the glorious
Son of Humankind returns with
all his angels, at that time he will sit down upon his glorious throne [of judgment].
| 1565 | Further: The Greek is the connective DE HOTAN. It is an elaboration on the previous parable. |
| 1566 | Returns: The Greek is ELTHE and related to the ELTHEN at Daniel 7:22. See technical notes elsewhere. It may be rendered arrive,
came, return, or leave. It is the parousia which first involves judgment. In fulfillment of Daniel 7:13 the Son of Humankind ascended back to his Father (John 6:62; John 14:1, 2). In fulfillment of the angels’ promise he is to return visibly
in the same manner (Acts 1:9-11). |
| 1567 | With all his angels: We note right away that in this scene
the King arrives “with his angels.” Nothing is said about his “saints” (Revelation 17:14) who are the judges of the world (1 Corinthians 6:2). This is the earliest hint that this is the parousia-judgment on the Realm of Heaven,
the realm of profession of the Christian church. It is time for the King to judge his own Household (1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 2:28; 4:17; 1 Peter 4:5, 17). See how the angels do the harvesting in Matthew 13:41. |
| 1568 | He will sit down upon his glorious throne [of judgment]: This is not the beginning of his rule. He is already King when he
returns (Luke 19:11, 12; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:19-22). The throne here is the “judgment-seat” of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). This is not the same “throne” of Revelation 20:12. All of thee parables are about judgment. |
MT25:32 He will gather together right in front of him all those from the nations and he will separate these persons from each other just as the shepherd separates the
sheep from the goats.
[Ezekiel 34:17]
| 1569 | Gather together right in front of him: The Greek is SYNACHTHESONTAI. This is done by a resurrection from the dead (1
Thessalonians 4:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 John 2:28; 4:17). Compare Daniel 12:2 with John 5:29. Note also 2 Thessalonians 2:1 and the related word EPISYNAGOGES. At this moment we come forward to give an account of our Christian life. |
| 1570 | All those from the nations: Or, KJV: gathered before him all nations. There is a temptation by some to think of this as a
gathering of Non-Jews and apply the parable to the Thousand Years or thereafter. However, it is also possible this is “Israel” out of all nations. Compare Isaiah 11:12 and Matthew 24:30, 31 with Revelation 7:9. These are the true Jews (Romans 2:28,
29) from the new Israel of God (Romans 9:6, 7; Galatians 6:16) which have lived among all nations throughout the Gospel Age (Compare also Isaiah 49:8-12 with Revelation 7:9-17). |
| 1571 | Separate these persons from each other: Compare this same thing at Matthew 13:41, 49. This parable of the fishing dragnet deals with the SYNTELEIA Matthew 13:40, 49 which is associated
with the PAROUSIA at Matthew 24:3. This would seem to confirm that the judgment here in the parable of the sheep and goats deals with the Church and not mankind in general. |
| 1572 | Sheep from the goats: Compare Ezekiel 34:17. |
MT25:33 He will make the sheep stand
at his right-hand, but the goats at his left-hand.
MT25:34 “At that time the King will say to those on his right-hand: ‘Approach, those blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the world’s foundation.
| 1573 | Inherit the Kingdom: The Greek KLERONOMESATE TEN BASILEIAN is nearly identical to BASILEIAN KLERONOMESAI at 1 Corinthians
15:50 where the “kingdom” is heavenly. Note also Ephesians 5:5, KLERONOMIAN EN TE BASILEIA (See also Ephesians 1:18, 21, 22). The evidence points to the inheritance of the heavenly Kingdom of the Father (Matthew 13:43; Daniel 12:3). |
| 1574 | Prepared for you from the world’s foundation: See notes elsewhere on KATABOLE. Compare Ephesians 1:3, 4. This
would also seem to focus the judgment on the Church. |
MT25:35 For I was
hungry and you gave me something to eat.
[Isaiah 58:7] [I was] thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you took me in.
| 1575 | Hungry and you gave me something to eat: See Isaiah 58:7. |
MT25:36 [I was] ill-clad and you clothed me. I fell sick and you took care of me.
I was in prison and you came to visit me.’| 1576 | You took care of me: The whole series is about charity and hospitality.
The sheep are those who live the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). Read and prayerfully meditate upon Hebrews 13:3, 4, 16, James 2:15-17, and 1 John 3:16-18. It is very possible Jesus’ parabolic imagery comes from Isaiah 58:7. |
MT25:37 “Then the righteous persons will answer the King, asking, ‘Master, when did we see you hungry and feed you? Or, thirsty, and give you drink?
| 1577 | The righteous persons: These Christians are “righteous” because of their charity and hospitality. |
MT25:38 Also, when did we see you a stranger and take you in? Or, ill-clad and clothed you?
MT25:39 Or, when did we see you sick, or in prison, and went to visit you?’
MT25:40 And the King will answer them: ‘I tell you this truth: Depending on how much you did to a single one of my humblest brothers, you did it to me.’ | 1578 | Depending on how much you did
to a single one of my humblest brothers, you did it to me: Or, KJV: inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren; WEY: you rendered such services to one of the humblest; RIEU: my brothers, these little ones; NEB: my brothers here,
however humble. Jesus does not have in mind corporate treatment of his Body but of a single one who seems the least. “Least” may be the elderly, the ill, the youngest, the least prominent. Note how the heavenly Nazarene says something similar to
Saul on the Damascus road (Acts 9:4). It demonstrates that a “goat” may alter behavior and become a “sheep.” Note Ezekiel 34:17 and the judgment between sheep and rams. |
MT25:41 “Then the King will also speak to those persons on his left-hand: ‘Depart from me, those who are cursed into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels!
| 1579 | Cursed into the everlasting fire: Or, NEB: the curse is upon you; go from my sight. The imagery is from Gehenna
which is called the second death in Revelation. |
MT25:42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. And, I got thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink.
| 1580 | Gave me nothing: This is the sin of omission. Read and prayerfully meditate on James 4:17. |
MT25:43 I was a stranger and you did not take me in; ill-clad and you gave me no clothes; sick and in prison, and you did not look after me.’
MT25:44 Then [the goats] will respond: ‘Master, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or ill-clad or sick or in prison – and refused to minister to you?’
| 1581 | Master: The goats recognize the King as their Lord. They were members of the realm of profession, the Church. Note also Matthew 7:21, 22. |
MT25:45 At this the King will tell them: ‘I tell you this truth: Depending on how much you refused to do to a single one of my humblest brothers, you refused to do it to me.’
MT25:46 And these goats will depart into an everlasting pruning; but the righteous into everlasting life.”| 1582 | Into an everlasting pruning: Or, KJV: everlasting
punishment. The Greek is EIS KOLASIN AIONION. KOLASIN is a rare word usually translated torment or punishment. The word is rooted in Strong’s #2849 and means, “1) to lop or prune, as trees and wings; 2) to curb, check, restrain; 3) to chastise,
correct, punishment; 4) to cause to be punished.” The essential idea is lopping off or removing from a tree. Compare this idea in Romans 11:22-24. |
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Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
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