Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Matthew 25

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

kingdom of heaven

Scofield Matthew 3:2, note

be likened unto

This part of the Olivet discourse goes beyond the "sign" questions of the disciples (Mat 24:3), and presents our Lord's return in three aspects:

1. As testing profession, Mat 25:1-13
2. as testing service, Mat 25:14-30;
3. as testing the Gentile nations, Mat 25:31-46.

Parables (N.T.). Mat 25:1-13, 14-30; Mar 2:21. (Mat 5:13-16; Luk 21:29-31).

ten virgins

The kingdom of heaven here is the sphere of profession, as in Mat 13. All alike have lamps, but two facts fix the real status of the foolish virgins: They "took no oil," and the Lord said, "I know you not." Oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit, and "If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Rom 8:9). Nor could the Lord say to any believer, however unspiritual, "I know you not."

Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

wise

Mat 7:24-25; Deu 32:29.

foolish

Mat 7:26-27; 22:11; Luk 12:20-21.

Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

gone out

going out.

Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

they that were ready

Mat 24:44; Col 1:12-14.

Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

Lord, Lord, open to us

Luk 13:25-30.

Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

ye know neither the day nor the hour

Mat 24:36, 42.

Son of man

Also Mat 24:31. Scofield Matthew 8:20, note.

Mat 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

the kingdom of heaven is

Omit the italicised words, "the kingdom of heaven is".

goods

Luk 19:12-27; 1Ti 6:20.

Mat 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

according to his several ability

Luk 12:48; Rom 12:6-8; 1Co 12:7.

Mat 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

went and traded with the same

Eph 5:16; 1Ti 4:13; 2Pe 1:5-8.

Mat 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

hid his lord's money

Pro 26:15; 1Pe 4:10; 2Pe 1:9-12.

Mat 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

reckoneth with them

Rom 14:10-12; 2Co 5:10.

Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Well done, thou good and faithful servant

The Lord's commendation may be earned by the weakest of His servants; it is given for faithful service.

faithful

Luk 16:10-12; 1Co 4:2; 2Ti 4:7-8.

Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Well done, good and faithful servant

The same commendation is gained by the servant with two talents as by him with five; he was equally faithful though his gift was less.

the joy

Psa 16:11; Zep 3:17; Jhn 15:10-11; Heb 12:1-2.

Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

an hard man

Mat 20:11-12; Mal 1:13. Cf. 1Jo 5:3.

Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Thou wicked and slothful servant

Mat 22:12-13; 24:48-50.

Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

every one that hath shall be given

Mat 13:12; Luk 19:26; Jhn 15:2.

that which he hath

Luk 8:18, last clause.

Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

cast ye the unprofitable servant

Mat 7:21-23.

outer darkness

the outer darkness.

Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Son of man shall come in his glory

Christ (Second Advent). Mar 13:24-27. (Deu 30:3; Acts 1:9-11.)

holy

Sanctify, holy (persons) (N.T.). Mar 6:20. (Mat 4:5; Rev 22:11.)

angels [See also Mat 25:41.]

Scofield Hebrews 1:4, note.

then shall he sit upon the throne

Day (of Jehovah). Mat 25:31-46; Act 2:19-20. (Isa 2:10-22; Rev 19:11-21).

Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

he shall separate them one from another

This judgment is to be distinguished from the judgment of the great white throne. Here there is no resurrection; the persons judged are living nations; no books are opened; three classes are present, sheep, goats, and brethren; the time is at the return of Christ (Mat 25:31); and the scene is on the earth. All these particulars are in contrast with Rev 20:11-15. The test in this judgment is the treatment accorded by the nations to those whom Christ here calls "my brethren." These "brethren" are the Jewish Remnant who will have preached the Gospel of the kingdom to all nations during the tribulation. See "Remnant" (Isa 1:9; Rom 11:5). The test in Rev 20:11-15, is the possession of eternal life. See, for the other six judgments:

• Scofield John 12:31, note;
• Scofield 1 Corinthians 11:31, note;
• Scofield 2 Corinthians 5:10, note;
• Scofield Ezekiel 20:37, note;
• Scofield Jude 1:6, note;
• Scofield Revelation 20:12, note.

Psa 96:13; Jhn 5:28-29; Rev 20:11-15.

Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

sheep on his right hand

Psa 79:13; 100:3; Eze 20:38; 34:17, 22, 31; Jhn 10:11.

goats on the left

Zec 10:3.

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

kingdom

Scofield Matthew 3:2, note.

world

i.e. earth.

Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat

Mat 10:40; Heb 11:37-38.

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

righteous [See also Mat 25:46.]

Scofield Romans 10:10, note

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me

Mat 10:40-42; Act 9:2, 4-5.

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Depart from me

Mat 7:23.

devil

Satan, Greek diabolos, accuser. Mar 1:13. (Gen 3:1; Rev 20:10.)

Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat

Mat 25:35, 40, 45, refs.

Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me

Pro 14:31; Zec 2:8.

Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

these shall go away

Kingdom (N.T.). Mat 25:31-46; Act 1:6-7. (Luk 1:31-33; 1Co 15:28).

into everlasting

Judgments (the seven). Luke 14:14. (2Sa 7:14; Rev 20:12.) "Eternal" and "everlasting" are the same word.

punishment

Day (of destruction). 2Th 1:7-10. (Job 21:30; Rev 20:11-15).

life eternal

Life (eternal). Luk 10:25. (Mat 7:14; Rev 22:19.)