📖 Matthew — Chapter 25 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Matthew 25:1 RThen shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:2 RAnd five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Matthew 25:3 They that were Rfoolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Matthew 25:4 But the wise took Roil in their vessels with their lamps.
Matthew 25:5 While Rthe bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was Ra cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Matthew 25:7 RThen all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, RGive us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Matthew 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; Rlest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, Rthe bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, Rsaying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Matthew 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, RI know you not.
Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, Rand delivered unto them his goods.
Matthew 25:15 And unto one he gave five Rtalents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Matthew 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents Rwent and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Matthew 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, Rhe also gained other two.
Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, Rand hid his lord’s money.
Matthew 25:19 After Ra long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Matthew 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: Rbehold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Matthew 25:21 His lord said unto him, RWell done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, RI have gained two other talents beside them.
Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, RWell done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, RLord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Matthew 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Matthew 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Matthew 25:27 Thou Roughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Matthew 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Matthew 25:29 For Runto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Matthew 25:30 And Rcast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:31 When Rthe Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Matthew 25:32 And Rbefore him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Matthew 25:33 And he shall set Rthe sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Matthew 25:34 Then shall Rthe King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Matthew 25:35 For RI was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Matthew 25:36 RNaked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Matthew 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, Rwhen saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Matthew 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Matthew 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Matthew 25:40 And Rthe King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, RDepart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Matthew 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Matthew 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Matthew 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, Rwhen saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Matthew 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, RInasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into Reverlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 25:1–13 — The ten virgins teach readiness
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Ten virgins wait for the bridegroom, but only five have made provision for delay. At his arrival the ready enter, the door is shut, and Jesus closes with a call to watch.
Key Truth: Prepare faithfully rather than assuming readiness can be borrowed at the last moment.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “____ all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.” (Matthew 25:7)
Find it in Matthew 25:7 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Then all ____ virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.” (Matthew 25:7)
Find it in Matthew 25:7 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the ____ of man cometh.” (Matthew 25:13)
Find it in Matthew 25:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 25:14–30 — Entrusted talents call for faithful stewardship
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Servants receive differing amounts according to ability before their lord’s journey. Two use what is entrusted, while one buries his talent and gives a fearful excuse; the return brings accountability.
Key Truth: Use entrusted opportunities faithfully rather than hiding them.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “For the ____ of heaven is as a man travelling into a far …” (Matthew 25:14)
Find it in Matthew 25:14 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And likewise he that had ____ two, he also gained other two.” (Matthew 25:17)
Find it in Matthew 25:17 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And cast ye the unprofitable ____ into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of …” (Matthew 25:30)
Find it in Matthew 25:30 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 25:31–46 — The Son of man separates and identifies with those in need
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The King separates sheep and goats and recounts treatment of the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and imprisoned. Responses to the least of his brethren are counted as responses to him, with lasting consequences.
Key Truth: Take concrete care for people in need seriously before the King.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “When the ____ of man shall come in his glory, and all the …” (Matthew 25:31)
Find it in Matthew 25:31 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Or when saw we thee ____ , or in prison, and came unto thee?” (Matthew 25:39)
Find it in Matthew 25:39 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the ____ into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46)
Find it in Matthew 25:46 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 19:17 — The proverb also connects kindness to the poor with a response to the Lord.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which entrusted opportunity or person in need requires a faithful response today?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 25:1–13 (The ten virgins teach readiness) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 25:14–30 (Entrusted talents call for faithful stewardship) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 25:31–46 (The Son of man separates and identifies with those in need) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. How does unknown timing shape the required response?
5. How does the King interpret care for the least of his brethren?
Notes
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