Matthew 25 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
~AD 30, during Jesus' final week before crucifixion
Location
Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem
Audience
Jesus' disciples
Situation
After Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple, his disciples asked him privately about the signs of his coming and the end of the age. He continued teaching them through parables emphasizing readiness, stewardship, and judgment.
Key Background
This chapter is part of the Olivet Discourse, drawing on Jewish apocalyptic traditions like the book of Daniel, amid heightened messianic expectations in first-century Judaism. The Parable of the Ten Virgins uses wedding customs to stress vigilance for the bridegroom (Messiah); the Parable of the Talents reflects ancient economic practices to teach faithful use of gifts; the Sheep and Goats judgment highlights acts of compassion toward the needy as criteria for entering the kingdom.
"When that time comes, will be like ten who grabbed their and headed out to meet the groom.
Five of them were and five were
The foolish ones brought their lamps but didn't bring any extra oil.
But the wise ones brought containers of oil along with their lamps.
When the took a long time coming, they all got drowsy and fell asleep.
"Then in the middle of the night, someone shouted: 'The groom is here! Come out and meet him!'
"All ten young women woke up and started getting their lamps ready.
The foolish ones said to the wise ones, 'Give us some of your oil — our lamps are going out!'
"But the wise ones answered, 'There might not be enough for all of us. You'd better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'
"But while they were off buying oil, the groom arrived. The ones who were ready went in with him to the and the door was shut.
"Later, the other young women showed up and said, open the door for us!'
"But he answered, 'I'm you the — I you.'
"So — because you don't know the day or the hour.
"It's also like a man about to leave on a trip. He called his and put them in charge of his money.
He gave one of them five another two, and another one — each based on their ability. Then he left on his trip.
Right away, the one who'd received five talents went to work with the money and earned five more.
The one with two talents did the same and earned two more.
But the one who'd received just one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and buried his master's money.
"After a long time, the master came back and with them.
The one who'd received five talents came forward with five more and said, you gave me five talents. Look — I've earned five more.'
His master said, 'Well done! You're a good and servant. You were with a small amount, so I'm going to put you in charge of a lot more. Come with me!'
The one with two talents also came forward and said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. Look — I've earned two more.'
His master said, 'Well done! You're a good and trustworthy servant. You were trustworthy with a small amount, so I'm going to put you in charge of a lot more. Come celebrate with me!'
"Then the one who'd received one talent came forward and said, 'Master, I knew you were a You harvest where you didn't plant and gather where you didn't scatter seed.
I was afraid, so I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here — you can have your money back.'
"His master answered, 'You lazy servant! So you knew I harvest where I didn't plant and gather where I didn't scatter?
Then you should have at least put my money with the so I would have gotten it back with when I returned!'
"'Take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has ten.
Because everyone who has something and uses it well will be given more — they'll have plenty. But anyone who has nothing will lose even the little they have.
And throw this useless servant outside into the where there will be weeping and of
"When the of comes in his with all his he will sit on his glorious throne.
All the will be gathered in front of him, and he will separate people from one another the way a separates the sheep from the goats.
He'll put the sheep on his and the goats on his left.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, is for you — you have my Father's favor. Come, receive the that's been set aside for you since the world was created.
Because I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a and you took me in.
I needed clothes and you gave them to me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in and you came to visit me.'
"Then the will ask him, 'Master, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink?
When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or needing clothes and give them to you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
"The King will answer, 'I'm you the whatever you did for one of the of these and of mine, you did it for me.'
"Then he'll say to those on his left, 'Get away from me, you who are Go into the that was prepared for the and his messengers.
Because I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink.
I was a stranger and you didn't take me in. I needed clothes and you didn't give them to me. I was sick and in prison and you never came to visit me.'
"They'll also ask, 'Master, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison and not help you?'
"He'll answer them, 'I'm telling you the truth: whatever you to do for one of the least significant of these people, you to do it for me.'
"And these will go away into but those who will go into