---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "Then = At that point in a then future time. The Structure (p. 1366) shows that this parable formed the closing part of the Lord"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/matthew/25"
---

**Then** = At that point in a then future time. The Structure (p. 1366) shows that this parable formed the closing part of the Lord's teaching on the Mount of Olives (see [Matthew 24:1](../../../kjv/matthew/24/1) , [Matthew 24:3](../../../kjv/matthew/24/3) ); and was designed to illustrate and enforce His teaching as to watchfulness, in view of the then immediate *parousia,* conditional on the repentance of that generation in response to the ministry of Peter and the Twelve, beginning at Pentecost, proclaimed and formulated in [Acts 3:19-26](../../../kjv/acts/3/19-26) . See the Structure (p. 1366). The Parable has nothing to do with the Church to-day as to *interpretation,* though there is the same solemn *application* as to watchfulness.
**shall** = will.
**the kingdom of heaven.** See App-114 .
**heaven** = the heavens. Compare [Matthew 6:9](../../../kjv/matthew/6/9) , [Matthew 6:10](../../../kjv/matthew/6/10) .
**lamps** = torches. See App-130 .
**to meet** = for the meeting (of two parties from opposite directions): i.e. the meeting and returning with. Greek. *apanantesis.* Occurs only here, [Matthew 25:6](../../../kjv/matthew/25/6) . [Acts 28:15](../../../kjv/acts/28/15) , and [1 Thessalonians 4:17](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/4/17) . But all the texts read *hupanteeis,* as in [John 12:13](../../../kjv/john/12/13) .

**wise** = prudent.

**no.** Greek. *ou.* App-105 .
**with.** Greek. *meta.* App-104 .

**vessels.** Containing oil, to pour on the torches. Greek. *angeion.* Occ only here, and [Matthew 13:48](../../../kjv/matthew/13/48) .

**slumbered** = became drowsy. Greek. *nustazo.* Occurs only here and [2 Peter 2:3](../../../kjv/2-peter/2/3) .
**slept** = went to sleep (and continued asleep). Greek. *katheudo.*

**there was a cry made** = there arose a cry.
**Behold.** Figure of speech *Asterismos.*

**those** = those former ones.

**are gone out** = are going out.

**Not so.** Or, supply the Ellipsis thus: "[we must refuse] lest there be not enough", &c.
**not.** Greek. *ou.* App-105 . But all the texts read " *ou me* ". App-105 .

**went:** were on their way.
**marriage** = marriage, or wedding feast; as in [Matthew 22:2](../../../kjv/matthew/22/2) , [Matthew 22:3](../../../kjv/matthew/22/3) , [Matthew 22:4](../../../kjv/matthew/22/4) .

**came also the other virgins** = "came the other virgins also".
**lord, lord.** Figure of speech *Epizeuxis,* App-6 , for emph., denoting urgency.

**Verily.** See note on [Matthew 5:18](../../../kjv/matthew/5/18) .
**I know you not.** Greek. *oida.*

**Watch.** This is the great lesson of the parable.
**neither** = not. Greek. *ou,* as in [Matthew 25:6](../../../kjv/matthew/25/6) .
**wherein** = in (Greek. *en* . App-104 .) which.
**the Son of man.** See App-98 .

**the kingdom of heaven.** Or, supply the Ellipsis from [Matthew 25:13](../../../kjv/matthew/25/13) , "[the coming of the Son of man]".
**travelling, &c.** See note on "went", &c, [Matthew 21:33](../../../kjv/matthew/21/33) .

**talents.** Greek. *talanton.* Occurs only here, and in [Matthew 18:24](../../../kjv/matthew/18/24) . See App-51 . Hence the word comes to be used now of any gift entrusted to one for use.
**every man** = each one.
**according to.** Greek. *kata.* App-104 .
**his several ability** = his own peculiar capacity.
**took his journey.** Same as "travelling" in [Matthew 25:14](../../../kjv/matthew/25/14) .

**traded with** = trafficked or wrought in (Greek. *en.* App-104 .) The virgins *wait:* the servants *work.*
**made them.** Put by Figure of speech *Metonymy* (of Cause), App-6 , for "gained".

**he** = he also.

**went** = went off.
**earth** = ground. Greek. *ge.* App-129 .

**After.** Greek. *meta.* App-104 .
**reckoneth** = compareth accounts. Greek. *sunairo.* Occurs only here, and in [Matthew 18:23](../../../kjv/matthew/18/23) , [Matthew 18:24](../../../kjv/matthew/18/24) .

**beside** = upon. Greek. *epi* .

**make** = set.
**enter. joy.** He enters into joy, and joy enters into him.
**the joy** = the [place of] joy.

**Then he** = He also.
**had received.** Note the change from the Aorist to the Perf. He had received it, and it remained with. him.
**I knew thee** = I got to know thee. Greek. *ginosko.* App-132 . Not the same as verses: [Matthew 25:12](../../../kjv/matthew/25/12) , [Matthew 25:13](../../../kjv/matthew/25/13) , [Matthew 25:26](../../../kjv/matthew/25/26) .
**hast not sown** = didst not sow.
**hast not strawed** = didst not scatter.

**lo, there.** Figure of speech *Asterismos.* App-6 .
**that is thine** = thine own.

**wicked.** Greek. *poneros.* App-128 .
**thou knewest.** Greek. *oida.* App-132 .

**exchangers** = bankers. So called from the tables or counters at which they sat. Greek. *trapezites.* Occurs only here.
**usury** = interest. Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 23:19](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/23/19) , [Deuteronomy 23:20](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/23/20) ). Compare [Psalms 15:5](../../../kjv/psalms/15/5) . Hebrews were forbidden to take it from Hebrews, but allowed to take it from foreigners.

**from** = away from. Greek. *apo.* App-104 .

**not.** Greek. *me.* App-105 . Not the same word as in verses: [Matthew 25:9](../../../kjv/matthew/25/9) , [Matthew 25:12](../../../kjv/matthew/25/12) , [Matthew 25:24](../../../kjv/matthew/25/24) , [Matthew 9:26](../../../kjv/matthew/9/26) , Mat 9:43 , Mat 9:44 , Mat 9:45 .

**outer** = the outer. Greek. *exoteros.* Occurs only in Matthew (here, [Matthew 8:12](../../../kjv/matthew/8/12) , and [Matthew 22:13](../../../kjv/matthew/22/13) ).
**weeping and gnashing.** See note on [Matthew 8:12](../../../kjv/matthew/8/12) .

**When the Son of man.** See the Structure (p. 1366).
**shall come** = shall have come.
**the throne.** [Luke 1:32](../../../kjv/luke/1/32) . Compare [Psalms 47:8](../../../kjv/psalms/47/8) . [Jeremiah 3:17](../../../kjv/jeremiah/3/17) ; [Jeremiah 14:21](../../../kjv/jeremiah/14/21) .[Zephaniah 3:8](../../../kjv/zephaniah/3/8) .

**shall be gathered all nations.** There is no resurrection here. Therefore no reference to [Revelation 20](../../../kjv/revelation/20) . The gathering is to be on earth ([Isaiah 34:1](../../../kjv/isaiah/34/1) , [Isaiah 34:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/34/2) .[Joel 3:1](../../../kjv/joel/3/1) , [Joel 3:2](../../../kjv/joel/3/2) , [Joel 3:11](../../../kjv/joel/3/11) , [Joel 3:12](../../../kjv/joel/3/12) ). There are three classes, not two. The test is not even "works", but the treatment of the "brethren" by the other two. No believer, i.e. those who "received the word" ([Acts 2:41](../../../kjv/acts/2/41) . [1 Thessalonians 2:13](../../../kjv/1-thessalonians/2/13) ): for these were (and will yet he)"taken out of all nations", [Acts 15:14](../../../kjv/acts/15/14) , Israel not gathered here, because "not reckoned among the nations" ([Numbers 23:9](../../../kjv/numbers/23/9) ). The Church of the Mystery ([Ephesians 3](../../../kjv/ephesians/3) ) not here, because the reward here is "from the foundation ( App-146 ) of the world" ([Matthew 25:34](../../../kjv/matthew/25/34) ); while the Church was chosen "before" that ([Matthew 1:4](../../../kjv/matthew/1/4) ). The "throne" is that of David ([Luke 1:32](../../../kjv/luke/1/32) ).
**all nations** = all the nations.
**them.** Refers to individuals, because it is Masc, while "nations" are Neuter, and therefore are regarded collectively
**goats.** Greek. *eriphion.* Occ only here.

**Father.** App-98 .
**the foundation, &c** See App-146 .

**an hungred** = hungry.

**Naked** = Scantily clothed. Figure of speech *Synecdoche* (of the Whole), App-6 .

**Then shall the righteous answer, &c.** Figure of speech *Dialogismos.*

**the least.** Emph. = even the least.

**say also unto them** = say unto them also.
**ye cursed** = that are abiding under a curse.
**everlasting fire** = the fire, the age-abiding [fire]. See App-151 .

**everlasting** Greek. *aionion.* App-151 . In the same sense as in [Hebrews 5:9](../../../kjv/hebrews/5/9) ([Isaiah 45:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/45/17) ); [Matthew 6:2](../../../kjv/matthew/6/2) ; [Matthew 9:12](../../../kjv/matthew/9/12) . [2 Thessalonians 1:9](../../../kjv/2-thessalonians/1/9) . (Compare [Psalms 52:5](../../../kjv/psalms/52/5) ; [Psalms 92:7](../../../kjv/psalms/92/7) .) The eternal result must be the same as in the next clause.
**punishment.** Greek. *kolasis.* According to Aristotle *kolasis* has regard to him who suffers it, while *timoria* has regard to the satisfaction of him who inflicts it. (Occurs only in [Hebrews 10:29](../../../kjv/hebrews/10/29) . The verb *timoreo* only in [Acts 22:5](../../../kjv/acts/22/5) , and [Acts 26:11](../../../kjv/acts/26/11) .) *Kolasis* occ only here, and [1 John 4:18](../../../kjv/1-john/4/18) (the verb *kolazomai* only in [Acts 4:21](../../../kjv/acts/4/21) ; [2 Peter 2:9](../../../kjv/2-peter/2/9) ). What this *kolasis* is must be learnt from [Matthew 25:41](../../../kjv/matthew/25/41) . Compare [Matthew 3:12](../../../kjv/matthew/3/12) , and note on [Luke 3:17](../../../kjv/luke/3/17) .

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