Matthew – Chapter 25

New Testament46 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 25 of Matthew begins: "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride." Across its 46 verses, two threads run through the text: faith and trust in God and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride.

2And five of them were foolish and five wise.

3But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them.

4But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps.

5And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept.

6And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh. Go ye forth to meet him.

7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

8And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.

9The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves.

10Now whilst they went to buy the bridegroom came: and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage. And the door was shut.

11But at last came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us.

12But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not.

13Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.

14For even as a man going into a far country called his servants and delivered to them his goods;

15And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.

16And he that had received the five talents went his way and traded with the same and gained other five.

17And in like manner he that had received the two gained other two.

18But he that had received the one, going his way, digged into the earth and hid his lord's money.

19But after a long time the lord of those servants came and reckoned with them.

20And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents. Behold I have gained other five over and above.

21His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me. Behold I have gained other two.

23His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown and gatherest where thou hast not strewed.

25And being afraid, I went and hid thy talent in the earth. Behold here thou hast that which is thine.

26And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not and gather where I have not strewed.

27Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers: and at my coming I should have received my own with usury.

28Take ye away therefore the talent from him and give it him that hath ten talents.

29For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away.

30And the unprofitable servant, cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

31And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty.

32And all nations shall be gathered together before him: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats:

33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.

34Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

35For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in:

36Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me.

37Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry and fed thee: thirsty and gave thee drink?

38Or when did we see thee a stranger and took thee in? Or naked and covered thee?

39Or when did we see thee sick or in prison and came to thee?

40And the king answering shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me.

41Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels.

42For I was hungry and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty and you gave me not to drink.

43I was a stranger and you took me not in: naked and you covered me not: sick and in prison and you did not visit me.

44Then they also shall answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to thee?

45Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen: I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.

46And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.

Important Verses in Matthew 25

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride.

Matthew 25:1

His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matthew 25:21

Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Matthew 25:34

And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.

Matthew 25:46

Historical Context

Matthew addresses jewish Christians, shown that Jesus fulfills the Scriptures of Israel within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 25 of 28 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 46 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the…" The final verse reads: "And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting. " The wider setting of Matthew is this: Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—the Son of David, the new Moses who delivers the Sermon on the Mount. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter presents teaching, action, or revelation within the broader account of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride." The passage repeatedly touches on faith and trust in God.

Catholic exegesis reads Matthew 25 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). St. John Damascene and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 461).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The Lord is a refuge and deliverer for all who call upon Him in trouble.

Reflection for Today

Matthew Chapter 25, containing 46 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 265). Here the emphasis falls on courage in witness to the Gospel, which shapes how the Church understands Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes.

As you continue through Matthew, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matthew Chapter 25 about?

Matthew 25 contains 46 verses. It opens with "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the…" and closes with "And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Matthew 25?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Matthew and when?

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition. About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Deepen your understanding with these related articles