The 3rd parable is the story of the faithful servant in Matthew 24:45-51. This, too, is a fairly simple and straightforward parable illustrating faithfulness that Jesus relates to His second coming. The faithful and wise servant will carry out his assigned duties and responsibilities with the expectation that his master could return at any time. This is contrasted with the evil servant who is convinced the master will not return for some time to come. So, he neglects his responsibilities, mistreats those he is to care for and engages in drunken behavior with friends.
The result is that the lord of the house returns unexpectedly and punishes the unfaithful servant. In verse 51 the term “to cut asunder” is from dichotomeo, to cut in two. Though seemingly severe, this was a common punishment for unfaithful servants who were guilty of the misdeeds described here (mistreating fellow servants and drunken behavior).
That the servant was killed for his misdeeds is obvious from the last phrase, “and put him with the pretenders, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” We can compare this to Matthew 13:42, “And cast them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” The reference is clear, eternal hell, where there is nothing but bitter remorse and pain. The lesson is clear. The faithful servant is expectant and diligent to serve his master until he returns.
Now we come to the 4th parable in this passage, the story of the ten virgins. This is a simple story that accurately describes some of the wedding traditions of the day. However, religion has gone out of its way to attach various, wrong teachings to it that go way beyond the meaning Jesus intended. The parable of the ten virgins is found only in Matthew 25:1-13.
“The kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish had their lamps, but did not take any extra oil with them. The wise had flasks of oil with them, along with their lamps.” (Verses 1-4)
I’m not going to take the time to fully explain all the details of this, but will touch on the points that are pertinent here as they relate to the marriage customs of the day. The bride has chosen her future husband, who has entered into a marriage contract with the bride’s father. When the bridegroom is prepared to fulfill the contract (proving he is able to care for his new bride), he tells the bride’s father he is ready to claim his bride. She then gathers her unmarried friends to come and wait with her and keep her prepared to meet him. In the story five of them were thoughtful enough to bring with them extra oil for their lamps, as it was seldom clear when the bridegroom would come. Five of her friends were foolish, as they did not bring extra oil.
“While the bridegroom lingered, they all began nodding their heads and eventually fell asleep. Then at midnight they heard a shout, Behold, the bridegroom is coming! Go out to meet him!” (Verses 5-6)
Now we know why they needed lamps. This next part of the marriage custom usually took place at night (the reason will become clear). The bridegroom is late in coming; the reason is not given. He could have been detained for some reason, or it may have been a prank on his part. His friends accompany him; who shout out a warning that he is near. The bride and her friends then go to meet him.
“Then all the virgins got up to trim their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, our lamps are going out. But the wise said, there won’t be enough for us and for you; go to those who sell and buy your own. And while they were gone, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut.” (Verses 7-10)
The bridegroom was late in arriving, so the bride and her friends had fallen asleep. They got up and adjusted their lamps and prepared to go meet him. But the lamps were going out. The rest is self-explanatory, until you get to verse 10. Then there are two issues that must be explained.
First it says the bridegroom and those who were prepared went in with him to the “marriage”. This is gamos; in some translations it is rendered “wedding banquet” or “wedding feast”. The KJV has only “marriage”. However, to be accurate according to the custom, it is the consummation of the marriage, or the joining together of the man and woman (compare this usage to Hebrews 13:4). This took place at the home of the bride. The wedding feast or celebration took place at the home of the bridegroom the next day. The other issue has to do with the door being shut, a simple precaution taken to keep thieves from robbing the guests who would be dressed in their finest clothes and jewelry.
“Then later the other virgins came and said, Sir, Sir, (master) open the door for us! But he replied, I don’t know you. Watch therefore, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Verses 11-13)
It might seem strange that the master of the house would say he didn’t know them. However, the door was usually the entrance into the courtyard, he was in the house, he couldn’t actually see them and couldn’t be sure who they really were, the bride’s friends, or someone else pretending to be them. The purpose of this story is simply to illustrate watchfulness and being always prepared for the Lord’s return.
Earlier I said there were teachings attached to this parable that go beyond what Jesus was saying here. I’ll list some of them now.