Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 25:4
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Verse 4. Took oil in their vessels] They not only had a sufficiency of oil in their lamps, but they carried a vessel with oil to recruit their lamps, when it should be found expedient. This the foolish or improvident neglected to do: hence, when the oil that was in their lamps burned out, they had none to pour into the lamp to maintain the flame.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
4. But the wise took oil in theirvessels with their lampsWhat are these “lamps” andthis “oil”? Many answers have been given. But since thefoolish as well as the wise took their lamps and went forth with themto meet the Bridegroom, these lighted lamps and this advance acertain way in company with the wise, must denote that Christianprofession which is common to all who bear the Christian name; whilethe insufficiency of this without something else, of which they neverpossessed themselves, shows that “the foolish” mean thosewho, with all that is common to them with real Christians, lackthe essential preparation for meeting Christ. Then, since thewisdom of “the wise” consisted in their taking with theirlamps a supply of oil in their vessels, keeping their lamps burningtill the Bridegroom came, and so fitting them to go in with Him tothe marriage, this supply of oil must mean that inward reality ofgrace which alone will stand when He appears whose eyes are as aflame of fire. But this is too general; for it cannot be for nothingthat this inward grace is here set forth by the familiar symbol ofoil, by which the Spirit of all grace is so constantlyrepresented in Scripture. Beyond all doubt, this was what wassymbolized by that precious anointing oil with which Aaron and hissons were consecrated to the priestly office (Exo 30:23-25;Exo 30:30); by “the oil ofgladness above His fellows” with which Messiah was to beanointed (Psa 45:7; Heb 1:9),even as it is expressly said, that “God giveth not the Spirit bymeasure unto Him” (Joh 3:34);and by the bowl full of golden oil, in Zechariah’s vision, which,receiving its supplies from the two olive trees on either side of it,poured it through seven golden pipes into the golden lamp-stand tokeep it continually burning bright (Zec4:1-14) for the prophet is expressly told that it was toproclaim the great truth, “Not by might, nor by power, but by MYSPIRIT, saith the Lord ofhosts [shall this temple be built]. Who art thou, O great mountain[of opposition to this issue]? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become aplain [or, be swept out of the way], and he shall bring forth thehead stone [of the temple], with shoutings [crying], GRACE,GRACE unto it.” Thissupply of oil, then, representing that inward grace whichdistinguishes the wise, must denote, more particularly, that “supplyof the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” which, as it is the source ofthe new spiritual life at the first, is the secret of its enduringcharacter. Everything short of this may be possessed by “thefoolish”; while it is the possession of this that makes “thewise” to be “ready” when the Bridegroom appears, andfit to “go in with Him to the marriage.” Just so in theparable of the Sower, the stony-ground hearers, “having nodeepness of earth” and “no root in themselves” Mat 13:5;Mar 4:17), though they spring upand get even into ear, never ripen, while they in the good groundbear the precious grain.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But the wise took oil,…. They were concerned for the true grace of God, being enlightened by the Spirit of God; they saw their need of the grace of God, and being directed by him where it was to be had, went to Christ for it; and having received it from him, through the power of the Holy Ghost, exercised it on him; and herein lay their wisdom: for a stock of this in the heart, daily renewed by Christ, will supply the lamp of a profession well. This they had
in their vessels, their oil vessels; by which are meant their hearts; so called in allusion either to the vessels in which the oil was put, when pressed out of the olives, Jer 40:10 or to the oil vessels of the candlestick, Nu 4:9. These are vessels of God’s making, though through sin are become impure, and empty of all spiritual good: they are indeed large and capacious; here’s room for Father, Son, and Spirit, and for abundance of grace; they are capable of comprehending much of the love of God, and besides natural, a great deal of spiritual knowledge: here, in these vessels, sanctified by the Spirit of God, the wise virgins had the oil of grace, which is an internal thing: it is nothing in the head, in the tongue, or in the hand, but something in the heart: it does not lie in notion, in talking, nor in doing; a man may know much, say a great deal, and do many external works, and yet be destitute of the grace of God; nothing external is that: it is not a mere outward reformation of life, an external humiliation for sin, an abstinence from the grosser sins of life, or a conformity to the ordinances of the Gospel, or a profession of religion: it is a principle of light, life, love, and holiness wrought in a man’s heart; it has its seat in the mind, understanding, and judgment, in the will, conscience, and the affections. This oil of grace was not naturally in them; nor was it obtained by the power of their freewill; but was freely given unto them, and powerfully wrought in them: the case is this; all grace was put into Christ’s hands for them; the Spirit of God was sent down to apply it to them, and work it in them; Which is generally done by means, which they made use of by his direction and assistance, and so may be said to take it:
with their lamps, of an external profession; they did not take up a profession before they had grace, or without it; but when they received the one, they took up the other; and which was acting the wise part.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In their vessels ( ). Here alone in the N.T., through in 13:48. Extra supply in these receptacles besides the oil in the dish on top of the staff.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
4. Oil in their vessels Each virgin besides her lamp, or rather torch, had an oil can with which to replenish the lamp.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Ver. 4. But the wise took oil ] That is, true faith in their hearts, which, as oil, is spreading, softening, suppling, soaking. Christ putteth not upon his a washy colour of profession (a blockwood blue), but he dyeth them in grain, with true grace and holiness.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mat 25:4 . : the wise took oil in the vessels , i.e. , in vessels, with an extra supply, distinct from the cups at the top of the torches containing oil.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
vessels. Containing oil, to pour on the torches. Greek. angeion. Occ only here, and Mat 13:48.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Mat 25:4. , vessels) These represent the recesses of the heart.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
oil: Psa 45:7, Zec 4:2, Zec 4:3, Joh 1:15, Joh 1:16, Joh 3:34, Rom 8:9, 2Co 1:22, Gal 5:22, Gal 5:23, 1Jo 2:20, 1Jo 2:27, Jud 1:19
Reciprocal: Pro 21:20 – oil Son 5:2 – sleep Luk 12:35 – your lights