Matthew 25:1 (WEB)
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Catechism · 2
"From Thence He Will Come Agaln to Judge the Living and the Dead"
“It is a time of waiting and watching.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:1, 13; Mk 13:33-37; I I Jn 2:18; 4:3; I Tim 4:1.
The Church - People of God, Body of Christ, Temple of the Holy Spirit
- §796Paragraph 2 · The Church - People of God, Body of Christ, Temple of the Holy SpiritRead at vatican.va
“The Apostle speaks of the whole Church and of each of the faithful, members of his Body, as a bride "betrothed" to Christ the Lord so as to become but one spirit with him.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 22:1-14; 25:1-13; 1 Cor 6:15-17; 2 Cor 11:2.
Fathers and councils · 64
Gregory of Nyssa
“One may take “then shall they say among the heathen,” and “when I sent you” and “then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened,” and countless similar phrases through the whole of Scripture, to prove this point, that the ordinary Scriptural use employs these parts of speech to denote time.” — editor's note: S. Matt. xxv. 1
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Jerome
“…is to be read the candles are lighted, although the dawn may be reddening the sky, not of course to scatter the darkness, but by way of evidencing our joy.And accordingly the virgins in the Gospel always have their lamps lighted.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 1.
Read the whole comment“Sackcloth, then, is a token of prayer and fasting, the chairs remind us that a virgin should never stir abroad, and the wax tapers that we should look for the bridegroom’s coming with our lights burning.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 1.
Read the whole comment“…he boasts may be more than nominal and that he may not be shut out by the bridegroom because being unprovided with the oil of good works his lamp has gone out.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 1–10.
Read the whole comment“The gospel teaches us this in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins; the former of whom enter into the bridechamber of the bridegroom, while the latter are shut out from it because not having the oil of good works they allow their lamps to fail.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 1–12.
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Athanasius of Alexandria
“…nourished the soul here, we shall partake with angels at that heavenly and spiritual table; not knocking and being repulsed like those five foolish virgins, but entering with the Lord, like those who were wise and loved the bridegroom; and shewing the dying of Jesus in our bodies, we shall receive life and the…” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 1–12.
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John Chrysostom
“Matt. XXV. 1-30.” — the author cites it
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
“…and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” [Matt 21:43] Of the Holy Church, as, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto ten virgins.” [Matt 25:1] Of the abode above, as, “Many shall come from the East and the West, and shall sit down in the Kingdom of Heaven.” [Matt 8:11] And all these…” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Then,” because all this discourse is concerning the great day of the Lord, concerning which He had been speaking before.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
By “the kingdom of heaven” is meant the present Church, as in that, “The Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend.” [Matt 13:41]
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
This parable of the ten foolish and the ten wise virgins, some interpret literally of virgins, of whom there are according to the Apostle [marg. note: 1 Cor 7] some who are virgins both in body and in thought, others…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
For in each of the five senses of the body there is a double instrument, and the number five doubled makes ten. And because the company of the faithful is gathered out of both sexes, the Holy Church is described as…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
And He employs the character virgins in this parable to shew, that though virginity be a great thing, yet if it be not accompanied by works of mercy, it shall be cast out with the adulterers.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, The understandings of all who have received the word of God are virgins. For such is the word of God, that of its purity it imparts to all, who by its teaching have departed from the worship of idols, and have…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, “The bridegroom and the bride” represent our Lord God in the body, for the flesh is the bride of the spirit. “The lamps” are the light of bright souls which shine forth in the sacrament of baptism. [ed. note:…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, “The lamps” which they carry in their hands are their works, of which it was said above, “Let your works shine before men.” [Matt 5:16]
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
They that believe rightly, and live righteously, are likened to the five wise ; they that profess the faith of Jesus, but prepare themselves not by good works to salvation, are likened to the five foolish.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
For there are five senses which hasten towards heavenly things, and seek after things above. Of sight, hearing, and touch, it is specially said, “That which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, and our…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, by the five virgins, is denoted a five-fold continence from the allurements of the flesh; for our appetite must be held from gratification of the eyes, ears, smell, taste, and touch. And as this continence may be…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
And because the virtues are so linked together, that he who has one has all, so all the senses so follow one another, that all must be wise, or all foolish.
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, The five wise and five foolish are an absolute distinction between believers and unbelievers.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
It is to be observed, that all have lamps, but all have not oil.
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
The “oil” is the fruit of good works, the “vessels” are the human bodies in whose inward parts the treasure of a good conscience is to be laid up.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
The virgins that have oil are they who, besides their faith, have the ornament of good works - they that have not oil, are they that seem to confess with like faith, but neglect the works of virtue.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, The “oil” denotes joy, according to that, “God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.” [Ps 45:7] He then whose joy springs not from this that he is inwardly pleasing to God, has no oil with him; for they…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, The “oil” denotes charity, alms, and every aid rendered to the needy; the lamps denote the gifts of virginity; and He calls them “foolish,” because after having gone through the greater toil, they lost all for…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, The “oil” is the word of teaching, with which the vessels of souls are filled ; for what gives so great content as moral discourse, which is called the oil of light. The “wise” took with them of this oil, as much…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
For there die of both kinds of men in this interval of time before the resurrection of the dead, and the Lord’s coming shall be.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
To sleep is to die, to slumber before sleep is to faint from salvation before death, because, by the burden of sickness we come to the sleep of death.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, “They slumbered,” i.e. they were dead. And then follows, “And slept,” because they were to be afterwards wakened. “While the bridegroom tarried,” shews that no little time intervened between the Lord’s first and…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, Whilst the bridegroom “tarried,” and the Word comes not speedily to the consummation of this life, the senses suffer, slumbering and moving in the night of the world; and sleep, as energizing feebly, and with no…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
The Jews have a tradition that Christ will come at midnight, in like manner as in that visitation of Egypt, when the Paschal feast is celebrated, and the destroyer comes, and the Lord passes over our dwellings, and…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, “At midnight,” that is, when none knew or looked for it.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Suddenly thus, as on a stormy night, and when all think themselves secure, at the hour when sleep is the deepest, the coming of Christ shall be proclaimed by the shout of Angels, and the trumpets of the Powers that…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
At the trumpet signal they go forth to meet the bridegroom alone, for then shall the two be one, that is, the flesh and God, when the lowliness of the flesh shall be transformed into spiritual glory.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, that the virgins go forth to meet the bridegroom alone, I think is to be understood that the virgins themselves constitute her who is called the bride - as we speak of the Christians flocking to the Church as…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, “At midnight,” that is, at the time of their most abandoned carelessness, “there was a great cry,” of the Angels, I suppose, desiring to arouse all men, those ministering spirits crying within in the senses of…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, “All the virgins arose,” that is, both elect and reprobate are roused from the sleep of death; they “trimmed their lamps,” that is, they reckon up to themselves their works for which they look to receive eternal…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
They “trimmed their lamps,” that is, prepared to give an account of their deeds.
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, the trimming their lamps is the return of their souls into their bodies, and their light is the consciousness of good works that shines forth, which is contained in the vessels of the body.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
The lamps of the foolish virgins go out, because the works which appeared outwardly to men to be bright, are dimmed within at the coming of the Judge. That they then beg oil of the wise virgins, what is it but that…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
From habit, the mind seeks that which uses to give it pleasure. And these now seek from men, who see not the heart, witness to God, who sees the heart. But their lamps go out, because those, whose good works rest…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, These virgins who complain that their lamps are gone out, shew that they are partially alight, yet have they not an unfailing light, nor enduring works. Whoso then has a virgin soul, and is a lover of chastity,…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or otherwise ; These virgins were foolish, not only because they departed hence, lacking store of mercy, but because they deemed to receive it from those of whom they importunately begged it. For though nothing could…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
For these wise virgins do not answer thus out of covetousness, but out of fear. Wherefore, each man shall receive the recompense of his own works, and the virtues of one cannot atone for the vices of another in the…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
They that sell are the poor, who, needing the alms of the faithful, made them that recompense which they desire, selling in return for the relief afforded to their wants, a consciousness of good works. This is the…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
You see then how great merchants the poor are to us; but the poor are not there, but here, and therefore we must store up oil here, that we may have it to use there when occasion shall require.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
And this oil is sold, and at a high cost, nor is it to be got without much toil; so that we understand it not of alms only, but of all virtues and counsels of the teachers.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Otherwise; Notwithstanding they were foolish, they yet understood that they must have light to go and meet the bridegroom, that all the lights of their senses might be burning. This also they discerned, that because…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or we may suppose it not meant as advice what they should do, but as an indirect allusion to their fault. For flatterers sell oil, who by praising things false, and things unknown, lead souls astray, recommending to…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
But because the season for buying was now past, and the day of judgment was coming on, so that there was no room for penitence, they must not now lay up new works, but give an account of the old.
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
“The marriage” is the putting on of immortality, and the joining together corruption and incorruption in a new union. Chrys.; That, “While they went to buy,” shews that even, if we should become merciful after death,…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, He says, “While they went to buy,” because there are men to be found who have neglected to learn any thing useful, till when, in the very end of their life, when they set themselves to learn, they are overtaken…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or otherwise; “While they went to buy,” that is, while they turned themselves to things without, and sought to find pleasure in things they had been accustomed to, because they knew not inward joys, came He that…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
After the day of judgment, there is no more opportunity for good works, or for righteousness, and therefore it follows, “And the door was shut.”
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
When they have been taken in who have been changed into angelic being, all entrance into the kingdom of heaven is closed; after the judgment, there is no more place for prayers or merit. [marg. note: 1 Cor 15:51]
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Yet though the season of repentance is now past, the foolish virgins come and beg that entrance may be granted to them.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Their worthy confession calling Him, “Lord, Lord,” is a mark of faith. But what avails it to confess with the mouth Him whom you deny with your works?
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
Grief at their exclusion extorts from them a repetition of this title of, “Lord;” they call not Him Father, whose mercy they despised in their lifetime.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
It is not said that they bought any oil, and therefore we must suppose that all their delight in the praise of men being gone, they return in distress and affliction to implore God. But His severity, after judgment,…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
For “the Lord knoweth them that are his,” [2 Tim 2:19] and he that knoweth not shall not be known, and though they be virgins in purity of body, or in confession of the true faith, yet forasmuch as they have no oil,…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
For indeed we know the day and the hour neither of that future time when the Bridegroom will come, nor of our own falling asleep each of us; if then we be prepared for this latter, we shall also be prepared when that…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
There have not been wanting those who would refer these ten virgins to that coming of Christ, which takes place now in the Church; but this is not to be hastily held out, lest any thing should occur contradictory of it.
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Augustine of Hippo
“On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xxv. 1, “then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins.”” — the author cites it
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Cross-references · 17
Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 3:1–3 (5) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Against Eunomius IX.3.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 25:1–13 (11) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 25:1–13 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Letters Letter 44.
Cited together in Jerome on Matthew 25:1–13 (13) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Jerome on Matthew 25:1–13 (2) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Letters Letter 44.
Cited together in Jerome on Matthew 25:1–13 (2) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 25:1–13 (3) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Jerome on Matthew 25:1–13 (5) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Against Eunomius IX.3.
Cited together in Letters Letter 44.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 25:1–13 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 3:1–3 (5) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Gregory the Great on Matthew 25:1–13 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 3:1–3 (5) (Catena Aurea).