Matthew 25.1-13.
The Five Stupid Teenagers Story is also called the parable of the virgins, of the maidens, of the bridesmaids; of the wise and foolish virgins, or of the 10 virgins. Usually they’re called virgins ’cause that’s traditionally how people have translated
Maiden is alternately used to describe them, but maiden historically means the same thing as virgin. And in either case I’m not sure Jesus’s point had anything to do with their virginity nor marital status. More like with their youth. You know how some kids can be wise and clever, and some kinda dense and foolish? And how some kids can sometimes be one and sometimes the other? So, that.
So my translation focuses on their age as well: These are young teenagers, old enough to be responsible for themselves, but not all of ’em were necessarily mature enough. Kinda like Jesus’s own students. Kinda like newbie Christians.
We don’t know
Matthew 25.1-13 KWL - 1 “Then heaven’s kingdom will be like 10 teenagers
- who come out to meet the husband, bringing their own lamps.
- 2 Five of them are morons, and five wise,
- 3 for the morons who bring their lamps don’t bring oil with them.
- 4 The wise teens bring oil in flasks, with their lamps.
- 5 During the husband’s delay, all the teens fall asleep, and sleep.
- 6 In the middle of the night, a loud voice came:
- ‘Look, the husband! Come to meet him!’
- 7 Then all those teenagers rise and get their own lamps ready—
- 8 and the morons tell the wise teens, ‘Give us some of your oil,
- because our lamps are out.’
- 9 In reply the wise teens were saying, ‘Likely there’s not enough for us and you.
- Instead go to the oil-sellers and buy your own!’
- 10 And as they went away to buy, the husband comes,
- and those who were ready, enter the marriage feast with him.
- He closes the door.
- 11 Later, the remaining teenagers also come to the door,
- saying, ‘Sir, sir, open it for us.’
- 12 In reply the husband says, ‘Amen, I promise you, I don’t know you.’
- 13 So be awake—because you don’t know the day nor the hour.”