Bible Commentaries
Matthew 25

Verses 1-46

"Then." This gives us the time in which the Kingdom of Heaven will be likened unto ten virgins. That Kingdom passes through many phases, but just before the coming of the King this will be its character. Note especially that the ten virgins are required to give a correct idea of the Kingdom.

Again, to interpret the next parable rightly, we must remember it concerns the servants of the King. He has not committed His goods to rebels, but to His own. To apply this parable to all men is to suppose that the absent Lord has committed the stewardship of His goods to rebels as well as to subjects. No greater mistake could be made. When He comes, the slothful and unprofitable will be cast out, not because they did not believe or because they had rebelled, but because they had neglected the opportunities which He had committed to them. How solemn is the teaching of the parable for all His servants. What am I doing with my Lord's talent? Neglect may bring about awful loss. I may be saved only as by fire.

The Lord then referred to His apocalypse, His coming in glory. The judgment is not of the saints, nor is it of the race considered as individuals. It is, as He so very distinctly declared, the judgment of the nations. There are three classes. Those on the right-sheep; those on the left-goats; and "these My brethren." He separates between sheep and goats according as they have treated His brethren.