Matthew 25:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened, &c.— The particle then evidently points out the connection of the present parable with the latter part of the preceding chapter. Our Lord having mentioned the rewards and punishments of a future state, in order to animate his disciples to the rigorous discharge of their duty, it was easy and elegant to pass from that subject to the consideration of the general judgment, at which these rewards will be distributed in their utmost extent. And therefore, to rouse men in every age, he has given a striking representation of the last judgment, with its consequences, in three excellent parables. He had before frequently declared what would be the portion of all the workers of iniquity: but what will become of those who do no harm, though they do no good? Inoffensive, good sort of people? We have in the present chapter a clear and full answer to this important question. The first parable is that of the ten virgins, who waited to meet the bridegroom: Then shall the kingdom of heaven, &c. that is to say, "At the general judgment, the character, conduct, and lot of the subjects of the kingdom of heaven, (of the professors of the Gospel) may be represented by the character, conduct, and lot of virgins at a wedding." It seems, in those countries the bridegroom commonly brought home his bride in the evening; and that she might be received at his house in a suitable manner, his female friends, of the younger sort, were invited to come and wait with lamps,till some of his retinue, dispatched before the rest, brought word that he was at hand; on this they went forth with their lamps trimmed to welcome him, and conduct him with his bride into the house. And for this service they had the honour of being guests at the marriage-feast. Mr. Wynne conjectures that probably a wedding procession passing by, gave occasion to this parable;and the following account of the marriage ceremony at Aleppo, the capital of Syria, by a person who lately resided there, may possibly throw some light on the parable, as it alludes to the customs of those countries on that occasion. "On the appointed day in the afternoon, the bridegroom's relations go to the bride's house; and having supped there, they return to that of the bridegroom, who is by custom obliged to hide himself, or, at least, is not to be found without a seemingly strict search: when he is brought out dressed in his best cloaths, great noise and rejoicings are made upon finding him; and he and the bridesmen, being led several times round the courtyard in a noisy procession, are carried into a room. There he is dressed in his wedding cloaths, and led back into the court-yard. At midnight, or a few hours later, the relations, accompanied by all who are invited to the wedding, both men and women, return again to the bride's house in procession, each carrying a candle, and music playing before them. When they come to the door, it is shut against them. Then they knock and demand the bride, but are refused admittance: upon this ensues a mock fight, in which the bridegroom's party always prevails. The women then go to the bride's chamber, leading her out veiled; and in the like procession as above described, carry her to the bridegroom's house," See the notes on Psalms 45. Solomon's Song, and the Customs of the Jews and Indians compared, p. 41. &c.