King James Version

What Does Matthew 25:6 Mean?

Matthew 25:6 in the King James Version says “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

Matthew 25:6 · KJV

Context

4

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8

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

Read Matthew 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him (μέσης δὲ νυκτὸς κραυγὴ γέγονεν, Ἰδοὺ ὁ νυμφίος, ἐξέρχεσθε εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτοῦ, mesēs de nyktos kraugē gegonen, Idou ho nymphios, exerchesthe eis apantēsin autou). Midnight—the darkest hour, when sleep is deepest and vigilance most difficult. The cry (κραυγή, kraugē) was sudden, loud, unmistakable—like the archangel's shout at the Second Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Behold, the bridegroom cometh (Ἰδοὺ ὁ νυμφίος, Idou ho nymphios)—the long-awaited moment arrives unexpectedly. The command, go ye out to meet him (ἐξέρχεσθε εἰς ἀπάντησιν, exerchesthe eis apantēsin), uses technical language for welcoming a dignitary (same word in Matthew 25:1). The bridegroom is Christ; the midnight hour symbolizes the unknown timing of His return (Matthew 24:42-44). No one sleeps through this cry—all must respond.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Jewish wedding customs, the groom would arrive with an entourage, and the bride's party would join the procession to the wedding feast. The midnight timing was not unusual—weddings were festive, nighttime celebrations. Early Christians adopted 'maranatha' ('Come, Lord') as a watchword (1 Corinthians 16:22, Revelation 22:20), echoing this midnight cry.

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you living in readiness for the 'midnight cry'—Christ's sudden, unexpected return?
  2. How would your priorities change if you knew the bridegroom would come 'at midnight' tonight?
  3. What does it mean that the cry comes when it's darkest—both in world history and perhaps in personal circumstances?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
μέσης1 of 13

“at midnight”

G3319

middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)

δὲ2 of 13

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

νυκτὸς3 of 13
G3571

"night" (literally or figuratively)

κραυγὴ4 of 13

“there was a cry”

G2906

an outcry (in notification, tumult or grief)

γέγονεν5 of 13

“made”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

Ἰδού,6 of 13

“Behold”

G2400

used as imperative lo!

ὁ7 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νυμφίος8 of 13

“the bridegroom”

G3566

a bride-groom (literally or figuratively)

ἔρχεται,9 of 13

“cometh”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἐξέρχεσθε10 of 13

“go ye out”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

εἰς11 of 13

“to”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ἀπάντησιν12 of 13

“meet”

G529

a (friendly) encounter

αὐτοῦ13 of 13

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 25:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 25:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Peter 3:10Matthew 25:1Matthew 24:31John 5:28-29Matthew 24:44Isaiah 25:9

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