The Ten Virgins
Ten virgins wait for the bridegroom with their lamps. Five are wise and bring extra oil; five are foolish and run out. Only the prepared ones enter the wedding feast.
Matthew 25:1-13
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The Story
Jesus said: 'At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight the cry rang out: "Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!"
Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out."
"No," they replied, "there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves."
But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
Later the others also came. "Lord, Lord," they said, "open the door for us!"
But he replied, "Truly I tell you, I don't know you."
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.'
In Jewish weddings, the bridegroom would come to claim his bride, often at an unexpected hour. The bridesmaids needed their lamps burning to join the procession. The wise virgins prepared for delay; the foolish assumed the bridegroom would come quickly. When he was delayed, only the prepared were ready.
The oil cannot be borrowed—each person must have their own relationship with Christ. When He returns, there will be no time to prepare.
The Wise and Foolish Girls
Kids Version
Jesus told a story about being ready:
Ten young women were waiting for a wedding. In those days, weddings happened at night! They needed lamps to see and to join the celebration.
Five girls were WISE. They brought their lamps AND extra oil, just in case.
Five girls were FOOLISH. They only brought their lamps—no extra oil.
They waited... and waited... and waited. The groom was taking a LONG time! Soon, all ten girls fell asleep. Zzzzz...
Then at MIDNIGHT: 'THE GROOM IS COMING! Come out to meet him!'
All ten girls woke up and checked their lamps. Uh oh! The foolish girls' lamps were going out!
'Give us some of your oil!' they begged the wise girls.
'We can't—then we won't have enough either! Go buy some!'
So the five foolish girls ran off to find oil. But while they were gone... the groom arrived! The five wise girls went into the wedding party. And the door was SHUT.
Later, the foolish girls came back. KNOCK KNOCK! 'Let us in! Let us in!'
But the groom said, 'I don't know you.' The door stayed closed.
Jesus said, 'Be ready! You don't know when I'm coming back.'
Jesus is like the bridegroom. One day He'll return! We need to be ready—not just SAYING we follow Him, but really knowing Him and living for Him.
Are you ready?
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Characters in This Story
Scripture — Matthew 25:1-13 (KJV)
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. gone out: or, going out
9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10And 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.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Memory Verse
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.”
— Matthew 25:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Ten Virgins” in the Bible?
Ten virgins wait for the bridegroom with their lamps. Five are wise and bring extra oil; five are foolish and run out. Only the prepared ones enter the wedding feast. This story is found in Matthew 25:1-13.
Where is “The Ten Virgins” found in the Bible?
“The Ten Virgins” is found in Matthew 25:1-13, in the book of Matthew.
What can children learn from “The Ten Virgins”?
This story teaches children about Be prepared, Jesus' return, Wisdom, Readiness. Ten girls waited for a wedding party. Five brought extra oil for their lamps; five didn't. When the groom finally came at midnight, only the prepared ones got to go to the party!