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).
