The parable continues the topic, staying vigilant, in the context of comparing the realm of the skies to dumb kids and sensible kids going to a party.
Matthew 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Matthew 25:4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
The smart one, however, took oil in containers with their own lamps.
Those with common sense prepare for possible problems.
The word translated as "wise" means "prudent," that is, having "common sense," or "sensible." It is not the Greek word for "wise."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "wise" is not the common word usually translated as "wise."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "their" before "vessels" should be something more like "the."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "their" before "lamps" should be something more like "their own."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "lamps" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "wise" is not the common word usually translated as "wise."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "jars" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "their" before "lamps" should be something more like "their own."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "lamps" is not shown in the English translation.
But - - The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
the - -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
wise -(CW) The Greek term used for "wise" means "in one's right mind," "showing a presence of mind," and "prudent." Again, in referring to teenagers today, we would say "smart" or "bright." It is used as a noun.
took - The word translated as "took" means "take" and "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English.
oil - "Oil" is from a noun that means "olive oil," "anointing oil," and "any oily substance."
in - The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among."
their -- (WW) The word translated as "their" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
vessels - The word for "vessels" means any container from "receptacle," to a "sack," to a "coffin."
with -- "With" is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of." It also refers to "after" or "behind" when referring to a place, time, or pursuit.
their - (CW) The word translated "their" is a reflexive pronoun, "their own." Jesus has been using this pronoun instead of the more common form to emphasize the individual decisions made. It appears after "lamps" so of their own.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
lamps. - The word for "lamps" is actually the source of our English word "lamp." It describes any burning light source, from torches to oil lamps.
The - -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
wise -(CW) The Greek term used for "wise" means "in one's right mind," "showing a presence of mind," and "prudent." Again, in referring to teenagers today, we would say "smart" or "bright." It is used as a noun.
ones -- From the definite article above that can have the sense of "the ones" when it comes before an adjective.
however- - The Greek word translated as "however" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
took - The word translated as "took" means "take" and "receive" in the same sense that we use "get" to mean "receive" and has many different uses as we use "get" in English.
oil - "Oil" is from a noun that means "olive oil," "anointing oil," and "any oily substance."
in - The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "among."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
jars - The word for "jars " means any container from "receptacle," to a "sack," to a "coffin."
along -- "Along " is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of." It also refers to "after" or "behind" when referring to a place, time, or pursuit.
their - (CW) The word translated "their" is a reflexive pronoun, "their own." Jesus has been using this pronoun instead of the more common form to emphasize the individual decisions made.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
lamps. - The word for "lamps" is actually the source of our English word "lamp." It describes any burning light source, from torches to oil lamps.
αἱ [821 verses]((article pl fem nom) "Unto them that" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so").
φρόνιμοι [9 verses] (adj pl masc nom) "Wise" is from phronimos, which means "in one's right mind," "showing presence of mind," and "prudent." In Hebrew, the source word is arum, which means "crafty," "shrewd," and "sensible." -
ἔλαβον [54 verse](verb 3rd pl aor ind act) "Took" is from lambano means to "take," "take hold of," "grasp," "seize," "catch," "overtake," "find out," "detect," "take as," "take [food or drugs]," "understand," "take in hand," "undertake," "take in," "hold," "get," "receive [things]," "receive hospitably," "receive in marriage," "receive as produce," "profit," "admit," "initiate," "take hold of," "lay hold on," "seize and keep hold of," "obtain possession of," "lay hands upon," "find fault with," "censure," "to apprehend with the senses," "to take hold of," and "to seize." It is also specifically used to mean "seized with emotion."
ἔλαιον [5 verses](noun sg neut acc) "Oil" is from elaion, which means "olive oil," "anointing oil," and "any oily substance."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with."
τοῖς [821 verses](article pl neut dat) "Their" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀγγείοις [1 verse] (noun pl neut dat) "Vessels" is from aggeion, which means "vessel," "pail," "bucket," sack," "receptacle," "reservoir," "coffin," and "sarcophagus."
μετὰ [103 verses](prep) "With" is from meta, which means "with," "in the midst of," "among," "between," "in common," "along with," "by the aid of," "in one's dealings with," "into the middle of," "coming into," "in pursuit of," "after," "behind," "according to," and "next afterward."
τῶν [821 verses](article sg masc dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
λαμπάδων [5 verses](noun pl fem gen ) "Lamps" is from lampas, which means "torch," "beacon light," "light," and any type of "lamp."
ἑαυτῶν. [75 verses](adj pl masc gen) "Their" is from heautou, is a reflexive pronoun that means "himself," "herself," "itself" "themselves," and "ourselves." It is an alternative to autos.
"The smart, however," he said, indicating the other group of followers playing the smarter girls. "Took containers with their lamps."
Now it was the other group's turn to play their part, acting both thoughtful, holding their lamps, and displaying their extra oil.