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 25:10 And 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.
Matthew 25:10 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.
Their departing, however, to shop, he showed up, that bridegroom. And those prepared entered with him into the wedding. And it was closed, that door.
These teens were ready to party!
The word translated as "went" also means to "depart from life." With the Greek word meaning "to shop," it forms the idea of "they were dying to shop."
The word translated as "shut" is an entertaining bit of wordplay. It is a verb that means "to close" or "to shut in," but, in this form, it is also a similar form of another verb that means "to make famous" and "to celebrate in song." Since this verb comes before "door," listeners would hear "it was celebrated in song" before the final word change the meaning to "shut" at the end of the verse.
The word "door" also means the entrance to the soul. It is the "punchline" of this verse, the last word, changing the meaning of the previous verb.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "and" should be something more like "but."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "they" is not the common word usually translated as "they."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that were" doesn't exist in the source.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "the oil" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "virgins" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "who were" doesn't exist in the source.
And -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" 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.
while - This comes from the form of the participle, departing followed by "them. This is called a
genitive absolute, a concept preceded by a "while."
they - The word translated as "they" here is the Greek word commonly translated as pronouns in English, but the form is genitive, forming the subject of the genitive absolute.
went - "Went" is from a Greek verb that means "to go away," "to depart from," "to spread abroad," and "to depart from life." It is in the present tense in the form of an adjective "going way," but the play on words here is the subtle reference to dying like "departing" in English. Though it is a particle, it can be translated as an active verb in a "while" phrase as part of the genitive absolute.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
buy, The word translated as "to buy" comes from the noun form of the word for "marketplace," which means "to occupy a marketplace," "to buy in the market," and "to occupy a marketplace." It is something like the way we uses "shop" as the verb form of "to shop."
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.
bridegroom - The word translated as "bridegroom" is a male form of the adjective meaning "bridal," hence, "groom" or, if plural, "the wedding couple." This was the person who plays a central role in a celebration, or, as we would say, "a celebrity." The point is that he is the one who can get the girls into the party.
came; -- The word translated as "came" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
they -- (CW) The word translated as "they" 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.
that were -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that were" in the Greek source. There is no verb here at all.
ready - "Ready" is from a noun that means "at hand," "ready," "prepared," of persons, "ready," "active," "zealous," of the mind, "ready," "bold."
went in - "Went in" is from a word that means "go or come into" and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind."
with -- "With" is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of."
him - The word translated as "him" here is the Greek word commonly translated as pronouns in English,
to -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
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.
marriage: - The Greek word translated as "marriage" is from a verb that means "marriage," "wedding," and "wedlock." Weddings were the "parties" and "celebrations" of Christ's era. Virtually no other events, not birthdays or anniversaries, were celebrated in the same way.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
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.
door - The word translated as "the door" means "door," and "gate," and, metaphorically, "entrance to the soul."
was -- This helping verb "was" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
shut. - The word translated as "shut" is an entertaining bit of wordplay. It is a verb that means "to close" or "to shut in," but, in this form, it is also the a similar form of another verb that means "to make famous" and "to celebrate in song." The word used for "shut" here is used twice previously. In Matthew 6:6, Christ tells us to pray to God secretly with the door shut behind us. In Matthew 23:13, Christ uses the same term to describe the sin of the scribes and Pharisees: shutting up the kingdom of heaven by requiring too much of regular people.
But -- The Greek word translated as "and" 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.
while - This comes from the form of the participle, departing followed by "them. This is called a
genitive absolute, a concept preceded by a "while."
they - The word translated as "they" here is the Greek word commonly translated as pronouns in English, but the form is genitive, forming the subject of the genitive absolute.
were on their way - "Were on their way " is from a Greek verb that means "to go away," "to depart from," "to spread abroad," and "to depart from life." It is in the present tense in the form of an adjective "going way," but the play on words here is the subtle reference to dying like "departing" in English. Though it is a particle, it can be translated as an active verb in a "while" phrase as part of the genitive absolute.
to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.
buy, The word translated as "to buy" comes from the noun form of the word for "marketplace," which means "to occupy a marketplace," "to buy in the market," and "to occupy a marketplace." It is something like the way we uses "shop" as the verb form of "to shop."
the oil, -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "the oil" in the Greek source.
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.
bridegroom - The word translated as "bridegroom" is a male form of the adjective meaning "bridal," hence, "groom" or, if plural, "the wedding couple." This was the person who plays a central role in a celebration, or, as we would say, "a celebrity." The point is that he is the one who can get the girls into the party.
arrived; -- The word translated as "arrived" primarily means "to start out" but Christ usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.
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.
virgins -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that were" in the Greek source. There is no verb here at all.
who were -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "who were" in the Greek source. There is no verb here at all.
ready - "Ready" is from a noun that means "at hand," "ready," "prepared," of persons, "ready," "active," "zealous," of the mind, "ready," "bold."
went in - "Went in" is from a word that means "go or come into" and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind."
with -- "With" is the Greek word that usually means "with" or a related concept such as "among" or "by the means of."
him - The word translated as "him" here is the Greek word commonly translated as pronouns in English,
to -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
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.
wedding banquet: - The Greek word translated as "wedding banquet" is from a verb that means "marriage," "wedding," and "wedlock." Weddings were the "parties" and "celebrations" of Christ's era. Virtually no other events, not birthdays or anniversaries, were celebrated in the same way.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
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.
door - The word translated as "the door" means "door," and "gate," and, metaphorically, "entrance to the soul."
was -- This helping verb "was" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
shut. - The word translated as "shut" is an entertaining bit of wordplay. It is a verb that means "to close" or "to shut in," but, in this form, it is also the a similar form of another verb that means "to make famous" and "to celebrate in song." The word used for "shut" here is used twice previously. In Matthew 6:6, Christ tells us to pray to God secretly with the door shut behind us. In Matthew 23:13, Christ uses the same term to describe the sin of the scribes and Pharisees: shutting up the kingdom of heaven by requiring too much of regular people.
ἀπερχομένων [22 verses](part pl pres mp fem gen) "Went" is from aperchomai, which means "to go away," "to depart from," "to spread abroad," and "to depart from life."
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").
αὐτῶν [720 verses](adj pl fem gen ) "While they" is autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
ἀγοράσαι [8 verses](verb aor inf act) "Buy" is from agorazo, which means "buy in the market," "buy," "occupy the marketplace," "lounge," or "haunt."
ἦλθεν [198 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Come" is from erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place.
ὁ -- [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
νυμφίος, [9 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Bridegroom" is from nymphios, which means "bridal," "bridegroom" and "son-in-law."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
αἱ -- [821 verses](article pl fem nom) "They that" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἕτοιμοι , [8 verses](adj pl fem nom) "They that were ready" is hetoimos, which means "at hand," "ready," "prepared," of persons, "ready," "active," "zealous," of the mind, "ready," "bold," and as an adverb, "readily," "willingly."
εἰσῆλθον [68 verses](verb 3rd pl aor ind act) "Went in" is from eiserchomai which means both "to go into," "to come in," "to enter," "to enter an office," "to enter a charge," (as in court) and "to come into one's mind."
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."
αὐτοῦ [720 verses](adj sg masc gen ) "Him" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "To" is from eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
τοὺς [821 verses](article pl masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
γάμους, [10 verses](noun pl masc acc) "The marriage" is gamos, which means "marriage," "wedding," and "wedlock."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv)ὶ "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἐκλείσθη [5 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind pass) "Was shut" can be one of two words. One is kleio, which means "to shut," "to close," "to bar," "to block up," "to shut in," "to confine," and "to shut up." It is a metaphor for causing the heavens to withhold rain. However, this form of the word is also a form of the verb kleo, which means to "tell of," "make famous," and" "celebrate."
ἡ -[821 verses](article sg fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
θύρα. [9 verses](noun sg fem nom ) "Door" is from thyra, which means "door," "valve," "gate," "window shutter," "a frame of planks," in war "fence or similar obstruction," "entrance" and, metaphorically, "entrance to the soul."
The word translated as "went" also means to "depart from life." With the Greek word meaning "to shop," it forms the idea of "they were dying to shop."
The word "door" also means the entrance to the soul.
The word "shut" in this form is a homonym for another word meaning "to celebrate in song" and "to make famous."
"But," he continued, "while they were dying to shop..."
His followers laughed and he continued, ."..Going shopping, the clebrity came."
He played the role of the celebrity coming, waving at his fans.
"And the ready girls went in with him," he continued, waving the followers playing the smart girls to come with him. He then stood aside and signaled them to go in front of him.
After they had passed, he pretended to shut a door and said, "And the entry was shut and celebrated in song."
The followers playing the smart girls congratulated each other.