Christian teaching

A. Introduction/the coming of Jesus: 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

B. Their identity as foolish and wise: 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

C. About their lamps and oil: 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.

D. All: 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

E. Bridegroom’s arrival: 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’

D1. All: 7 Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps.

C1. About their lamps and oil: 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’

B1. The results of wisdom and foolishness: 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

A1. Conclusion/the coming of Jesus: 13 Be prepared therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

(changed ESV – virgins to maidens throughout; v. 13 “be prepared” instead of “watch”)

Alternate pattern for vs. 8-12

A. First exchange

• The foolish make a request: 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
• The wise answer “no”: 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’

B. Action

Foolish: 10 And while they were going to buy,

Bridegroom: the bridegroom came,

Wise: and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast,

Bridegroom: and the door was shut.

A1. Second exchange

• The foolish make a request: 11 Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
• The bridegroom answers “no”: 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’