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Matthew 25:8
ESV And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
NIV The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
NASB But the foolish virgins said to the prudent ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’
CSB The foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’
NLT Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
KJV And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
NKJV And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

What does Matthew 25:8 mean?

Jesus is describing the fate of ten young, unmarried women who have come to participate in a wedding celebration. They have been waiting to meet the groom and walk with him and the bridal party back to his home for a wedding feast. The key point of Jesus' story is that five of the young women have been foolish: they did not bring extra oil for their lamps. The groom was delayed longer than they expected. The oil their lamps contained has either been used up or has dried out. The lamps will not stay lit (Matthew 25:1–7).

Naturally, the young women proven foolish by their lack of preparation turn to those described as wise for help. They don't want to miss the festivities, but they aren't prepared. Their most immediate source of help is those who did, in fact, think ahead and prepare. The response will not be what the unprepared women want to hear, but it's a very sensible and honest answer (Matthew 25:9).
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Context Summary
Matthew 25:1–13 presents Jesus' parable of the ten virgins. These unmarried young women gather to wait for the groom to arrive during a wedding celebration. They plan to join in a procession to a great feast when he comes after dark. Five of the young women foolishly forgot to bring sufficient oil for their lights. When the groom arrives, they scramble to get more oil but are not admitted to the feast when arriving late. Jesus urges His followers to be prepared and watch for His return.
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Chapter Summary
Jesus uses two additional parables to illustrate a state of constant readiness for His return after He has gone. His followers should be working for Him while they wait. They must not be like the foolish young women who missed a wedding feast because they forgot oil for their lamps. They must be like the servants who doubled their harsh master's investments while He was away. Jesus concludes with a third descriptive passage, showing how He will judge between the righteous and evil when He returns as King.
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What is the Gospel?
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