Matthew 25:7

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Then all the bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps [i.e., removed the burnt wicks and replenished their lamps with oil].

Cross References

Luke 12:35

“Fasten your belts [i.e., get things ready], keep your lamps lit,

2 Peter 3:14

So, my dearly loved ones, while you are waiting for these things [to happen], do your best to be found at peace with God, pure and blameless in His sight.

Revelation 3:2

Wake up, and strengthen what remains [i.e., those few in the church who were trying to stay faithful], who are about to die. For I have not found [any] of your deeds to be complete before my God.

Matthew 25:1

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be similar to ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the [bride and] groom. [Note: The picture here is that of a newly married couple returning from a festive reception to the groom’s home where they continued celebrating and were welcomed by a late evening wedding party]

Matthew 25:6

Then at midnight someone shouted, ‘Look, the [bride and] groom are here. Come on, let us go out and meet them.’

Matthew 25:8

The foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’