Then. At that point in. then future time. The Structure (p. 1366) shows that this parable formed the closing part of the Lord's teaching on the Mount of Olives (see Matthew 24:1; Matthew 24:3); and was designed to illustrate and enforce His teaching as to watchfulness, in view of the then immediate parousia, conditional on the repentance of that generation in response to the ministry of Peter and the Twelve, beginning at Pentecost, proclaimed and formulated in Acts 3:19-26. See the Structure (p. 1366). The Parable has nothing to do with the Church to-day as to interpretation, though there is the same solemn application as to watchfulness.
shall. will.
the kingdom of heaven. See App-114.
heaven. the heavens. Compare Matthew 6:9; Matthew 6:10.
lamps. torches. See App-130.
to meet. for the meeting (of two parties from opposite directions): i.e. the meeting and returning with. Greek. apanantesis. Occurs only here, Matthew 25:6; Acts 28:15, and 1 Thessalonians 4:17. But all the texts read hupanteeis, as in John 12:13.