Did the Foolish Virgins Have Any Oil? Clarifying the Parable of the Ten Virgins

Some argue that the foolish virgins must have had some oil for their lamps and only lacked extra. Is that accurate? According to Matthew 25:3–4, the foolish “took their lamps, and took no oil with them,” while the wise “took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” When the midnight cry came, the foolish tried to borrow and then went to buy more (Matthew 25:8–10). If they had any oil, they wouldn’t have needed to seek it at midnight. In this parable, the lamp stands for outward profession and the oil for the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit’s presence—without true oil—any momentary spark will fade when the crisis hits.

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