Parable Of Ten Bridesmaids

Have you ever considered yourself a bride when it comes to the Bible? Our lesson today takes us to the parable of ten bridesmaids from Matthew 25. Jesus explains how we are like the brides maids and He is like the groom.

A wedding constitutes a festive occasion. It’s a time of celebration of two people making a lifelong commitment to each other. How does this relate to Christianity?

What is the parable of ten bridesmaids meaning and how can we apply this Bible lesson to our lives? In the last lesson, Jesus says remain watchful but these verses are all about preparing.

Parable Of Ten Bridesmaids – When Christ Comes Be Ready

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.

For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.

Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.

The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’

And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.

Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’

Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” – Matthew 25:1-13 NASB

The Parable of 10 Bridesmaids Meaning is Clear – Are We Ready With Our Lamps?

Weddings were major events during Jesus’ time, just as they are today. However, the Jewish tradition at that time was a far cry from the ceremony we see nowadays.

How Does a Jewish Wedding Relate to the 10 Bridesmaids?

In Jewish tradition, the groom went to the bride’s home on the day of the wedding. And, huge celebration took place including a feast. But, unlike today’s event, the celebration would many times last up to a full week!

The ten virgins were similar to today’s bridesmaids. They were allowed to take part in this festive occasion.

I’m not exactly sure of the meaning of the lamps. Maybe, the lamps produced enough light for the celebrating couple to sustain them for the week-long event. It’s not always important that we know why.

Preparation for the Wedding

All ten virgins brought their lamps to the event. But, only five brought enough oil to last. When the unprepared foolish five ran out of oil, they had to “go to town” so to speak to purchase more. In other words, they weren’t prepared for the groom.

When Jesus Comes the Bridesmaid Must be Ready

The story goes on to say that the groom came while the five bridesmaids were gone and the door to the celebration was shut. This greatly disappointed the five girls who were not prepared

Are We Ready? The Parable Of Ten Bridesmaids Lesson

[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”0785216286″ locale=”US” src=”https://makingchristknown.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/5197MuR1vrL.SL160.jpg” tag=”bobpardphot-20″ width=”107″]The question is, are we prepared like the prudent five? Or, will we try to “buy oil” after it’s too late?

Christ could return at any time and no one knows the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13). The best we can do is to live our lives as if He is returning today. And make sure we don’t have to go out for oil or have Him say; “I do not know you.” – the scariest line in the Bible.

Love in Christ

– Bob

I hope this Christian Bible study lesson about the 10 bridesmaids parable was helpful to you. If you would like to learn more about the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to go here to read John 3:16.