Parables Collection 3

Parables Collection 3

Collin Leong. Feb 15 2024

 Parables 3

1. The Ten Virgins - Matthew 25:1-13 (NASB 1995)

The Ten Virgins parable underscores the critical importance of preparedness and vigilance for the return of Christ. It emphasizes the need for an enduring and personal faith, symbolized by the extra oil, and warns against complacency or relying on the preparedness of others.

It is easier to understand this parable, if we first know the marriage ceremony during Jesus' days. For details, you can Google it - good websites include GotQuestions. The betrothal is a legally binding engagement, and the couple is considered married, but they do not live together until the marriage ceremony. The marriage happens after 1 or more years after their betrothal, depending on the groom's father decision. 

Before the marriage, the groom has prepared a bridal chamber.  When the groom is given permission to wed, he would return to fetch his bride. The bride would not know the day or hour when he will come. When the groom's party are arriving, they will make noise for the bride to hear. When the bride is ready, the groom will take the bride to his father's house. If it is at night, the bride will carry a lamp or torch. They and their guests will eat the supper prepared at his father's house. Later in the same night, the couple will be escorted into the bridal chamber to consummate the marriage. 

In this parable, the 10 virgins were the welcoming party at the groom's fathers house. They took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. (v1)  Note that Jesus specifically said that the kingdom of heaven is comparable to the ten virgins, i.e. they represent the church.   

It appears they already know when the groom will arrive, as they can calculate the time he takes to go to the bride and then to bring her home. In original words, it says they are "going to the meeting", which means that it has been planned. We also know when Christ is coming again, as many clues have been give to us in the scriptural prophecy.

In original sentence for verse 2, they mention the 5 "prudent" virgins first. The word prudent means those who think thoroughly. The 5 foolish ones are not dumb, but they failed to act on what they were told and knew what to do. 

The foolish one took the lamps but didn't take the oil. The prudent one took the oil in a separated vessel. (v3-4) This shows the prudent ones were prepared to achieve the objectives, while the foolish ones did not. In the church, there will be those who are prepared to be the true bride of Christ, while others are more interested in the things of the world. 

The groom arrival was delayed (probably the bride was slow in making-up? Just kidding!). The virgins got drowsy and begin to sleep. (v5)  For the church, we are waiting for the rapture to meet Christ. For us to be prepared, we should not be in sleep. We should be alert and make ourselves busy in serving the Lord. 

In the midnight they hear a shout ("cry" in Greek). that says "behold, the bridegroom!" (v6) In Greek, midnight is written as "middle of the night" - the halfway point.  The same word is used when the angel came to take the life of the firstborn of Egypt. (Exodus 12:29) Midnights are when God makes major changes on earth.  

The "shout" or the "cry" and the blowing of trumpet, refers to the rapture. It's up to God to decide when, and Jesus will obey and come to meet us. That's why in Matt 24:36-44, Jesus said only the Father knows when He will come again to receive his bride. (1 Cor 15:51-52)

The virgins rose up and "trimmed their lamps", and the foolish ones asks the wise one to give them their oil as their lamps are going out. But the wise one say the don't have enough oils for both of them. They were asked to buy them, and when they were away, the groom arrived and "those who are ready" went in with him to the feast, and the door was shut. (v7-10)

In the original text it said wedding feasts (plural), not feast (singular). They use plural to highlight the abundance of the feast. It is to express the amazing joy they will experience, which they never had before.  

The oil represents the holy spirit. We need the holy spirit in order to enter into God's kingdom. 

When the foolish virgins return, they called out "Lord, lord, open up for us." But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' (v11-12)

They called Him Lord, but they were too late. In original Greek, it says "not; I do know" and the "know" is using "oida" - that is, together with the "not", he did not know them in the past, or know them now, and I will not know them in the future. 

Jesus ends with the words "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour." (v13) The word "alert" or in Greek "keep watch" used a term used for a military contract - it's to watch with anticipation, as there are enemies coming for you. 

In the original text, verse 13 says "... the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man comes."  (see NKJ)

In conclusion, like the wedding, Jesus had ascended to heaven (His father's home) to prepare a place for us. While we do not know when he will come, we have to make ourselves be ready and on alert for his coming for the church, His bride. (John 14:3)

 

2. The Marriage Feast - Matt 22:1-14

Here Jesus is extending and explaining God's invitation to the Kingdom of Heaven, the consequences of rejecting that invitation, the widening inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles, and the importance of being spiritually prepared for the ultimate celebration in God's presence.

Kingdom of heaven is compared to a "human" (original) King who made a wedding for his sons. The slaves call those who are invited "into" (not "to") the wedding. 

Wedding reminds us of marriage, and marriage is a covenant...and all the Jews understand. A covenant must be obeyed and the reason is for both sides to remain faithful to each other.

Another group of slaves went out again to the invited to tell them that the dinner is ready; The King said the oxen and cattle are killed (v4) - i.e. similar to a sacrifice"a sacrifice" rather than butchered. Covenants must "cut" not prepared, because a cut derive blood.

Instruction or commandments are called mitzvah. There are 613 mitzvot in the Torah. They are give to maintain a relationship with God. 

But they paid no attention and went on their way (v5)...though it was the human King that invited them. How much more we should respond to the King of kings! These are the people who cannot discern the situation. 

The King's servants were captured and killed (v6)... The king was wrathful. He sent his troops to kill the murderers and their city. God said those who were invited were not worthy. (v7-8) We are worthy as we trusted Christ.  

The Kings ask the servants to go to the main highways (where many people gathered at the junctions). And invite them into the weddings (plural).(v9)

The servants gathered who they have found - both the bad and good. (v10). The bad refers to tax collectors, sinners, etc.. But nobody is good until they believe in Christ

The wedding hall was filled with guests (v10b). These symbolize those that has been redeemed.  

The king looked at those decline and saw someone not dressed for wedding. (v11) The wedding garment cannot be worn by the person, but must be put on by the King's servants. In other words, he should not be there. When we believe we will be clothed with the Holy spirit...but if after many years, we did not change our life, we need to ask if we were really saved or not.

Note that the king called him "friend" , it is not personal, it is not biased. Cast him outside (v13) - a separation from the king.

Outer Darkness uses the Hebrew word "chosheck" which means normal darkness. The word "aphelah" refers to deep and thick darkness, often associated with fear or judgment. 

Weeping and gnashing of teeth (v13b). Some people do not accept a judging God, but if he judged Jesus on your behalf, then you should expect him to judge you.

"For many are called, but few are chosen (elect)" v14. 

"You will seek (mourn) me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13. Our greatest desire is to be with him. 

3. The Vineyard Owner - Luke 20:9-18 (Matt 21:33-44; Mark 12:1-11)

Fullness of the gentiles .... But God not done. Isaiah 49 - remnants of Israel, the rest of Israel will be saved

A man planted a vineyard and rented out to tenants. The vineyard symbolizes God's work. He "covenant" to others to produce fruit. He went away for a long while doesn't mean God is not aware of what is happening. (v9)

When the man sent a servant to collect some fruits of the vineyard, the tenants beat him and gave him nothing. They did not honor the contract and used the vineyard for themselves. They beat him and sent him "outside" (missing from bibles)

They sent another (a different type) servant. They did the same to him (original language: "dishonored"). They injured (wounded severely) the third servant and cast him outside. (v10-12)

In v13, it says the "owner of the vineyard" is originally the "Lord" of the vineyard. Isaiah 5:7 says " In Isaiah 5:7, it says: "For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant planting; and he looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!"

The owner sent his own "beloved son", thinking they will respect him. The sone will represent the father. But the tenants reasoned among themselves (to "think thoroughly") to kill the son, so that his inheritance will be theirs. They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him (v14-15a)

Israel didn't want Jesus to be part of the Israel kingdom. The took him outside the wall of Israel and crucify him. 

The owner then came and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. The "others" here includes gentiles. That's why the hearers responded "Certainly not!" ("God forbid!" in NIV). (v16)

However, this has been prophesied in Gen 28:3, where Isaac blessed Jacob to multiply and to become "a company of peoples" (kahal amins), meaning to be large and diverse group of nations and tribes. 

Jesus turned them into the scripture: "The stone that the builders (i.e. the leaders) rejected (meaning loathing, gross, nauseous) has become the chief cornerstone?"  This comes from Ps. 118:22. Jesus is saying that He was rejected by the pharisees and others, but God will make Him the foundation (chief cornerstone) of God's new work. A cornerstone is the first stone set in the foundation of a building, determining the position and alignment of the entire structure.

In v18, Jesus said "whoever falls on that stone will be broken, but on whomever it falls, if will grind him to powder."  The concept of falling upon the stone and being broken can be seen as a call to humility and repentance. It suggests that those who recognize their need for salvation and are willing to submit themselves to Jesus will find healing and restoration. On the other hand, those upon whom the stone falls and are ground to powder may symbolize those who reject Jesus and his message. They face the ultimate consequence of their rejection, which is eternal separation from God. 

This parable angered the priests and scribes, for they knew the parable was spoken against them.  Barnes, John Calvin - they applied the parable to Jewish people. Which is wrong. It is for the Jewish leadership only. (v19)

Notes: 

Continuity theology - old testament continues into new testament.