Matthew 25:6
But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's easy to miss here is that the cry isn't just an announcement; it’s a sudden, urgent summons to action. The Greek word for "cry" implies a loud, compelling sound that breaks through silence, signifying that the waiting is over and immediate preparation is required to "meet him." This isn't a gentle nudge but a dramatic call to readiness for an unexpected arrival.
This verse is the dramatic turning point in Jesus' parable about the ten virgins. After a long and unexpected delay where all the virgins, both wise and foolish, fell asleep, a sudden cry erupts in the middle of the night. This cry announces the long-awaited arrival of the bridegroom, jolting everyone awake and initiating the critical moment of decision for the unprepared virgins.
Imagine the deepest, quietest part of the night, and then suddenly, a shout that cuts through everything. This isn't just a wake-up call; it's a pivotal moment.
The parable describes a cry piercing the midnight stillness: 'Behold, the Bridegroom comes! Come out to meet him.'
A Sudden Announcement
This cry signals the end of waiting and the beginning of the wedding feast. It's not a gentle nudge but a loud, urgent announcement. The original Greek suggests this cry isn't just a sound but a definitive event, like a proclamation that changes everything immediately.
More Than Just Waking Up
This cry represents the unmistakable moment of Christ's return. It's a time when all pretense falls away, and true readiness is revealed. The sound itself is often linked to the mighty call of God that will awaken both the living and the dead, a powerful, earth-shattering declaration.
Why midnight? It’s the deepest part of the night, when sleep is most profound. This timing highlights the unexpected nature of the Bridegroom’s arrival.
The parable sets the critical moment at 'midnight.' This isn't just an arbitrary time; it carries significant meaning:
The Deepest Sleep
Midnight is when most people are sound asleep, unaware of anything happening around them. It’s the hour of deepest rest, and therefore, the most unwelcome time for an abrupt awakening. This symbolizes how Christ's return might find many unprepared, lost in the routines and distractions of life.
An Unexpected Arrival
For the virgins, the cry at midnight signifies that the Bridegroom's arrival was later than they anticipated. This delay, leading to their slumber, mirrors the reality that the timing of Christ’s return is unknown. It calls us to a persistent state of readiness, rather than a temporary burst of effort.
Understand the original words
nymphios · Greek Noun
A title often used for Christ in the New Testament, signifying His role as the covenantal husband of the Church, who will return to claim His bride at the end of the age.
This passage describes the Lord's descent from heaven with a shout and the trumpet of God, mirroring the dramatic cry that signals the bridegroom's arrival in Matthew 25:6.
Matthew 24:42Jesus' warning to 'watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming' directly relates to the unexpected midnight cry and the need for readiness highlighted in the parable.
Revelation 22:20The verse 'He who testifies these things says, “Surely I am coming soon,”' echoes the urgency of the bridegroom's approach, reinforcing the theme of His imminent return.
Song of Solomon 5:2This passage, where the bride says 'I sleep, but my heart is awake; it is the voice of my beloved! He knocks,' shares the imagery of a delayed arrival and a sudden, urgent call that awakens the sleeping.
Jeremiah 23:5-6This prophecy speaks of a 'righteous Branch' who will come and reign as king, connecting to the idea of a bridegroom figure arriving to establish His kingdom and bring salvation.
vincentMatthew 25:6: "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him."
There was a cry made (κραυγὴ γέγονεν)Rev., there is a cry. The verb is in the perfect tense, representing the past event as perpetuated in the present result, and hence is rendered by the English present. At great and decisive change was the result of the cry. No more sleeping, waiting, or silence. There is a cry, and behold the awaking, the bustle, the trimming of lamps and the running…
bensonMatthew 25:6: "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him."
Matthew 25:6-8 . And at midnight — In an hour quite unthought of, and the most alarming. Perhaps the tradition mentioned by Jerome, which asserted that Christ would come to judgment at midnight, might be borrowed from hence; though certainly it is a very absurd one, since that can be the case only under one meridian at a time. There was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh — As Chris…
What's easy to miss here is that the cry isn't just an announcement; it’s a sudden, urgent summons to action. The Greek word for "cry" implies a loud, compelling sound that breaks through silence, signifying that the waiting is over and immediate preparation is required to "meet him." This isn't a gentle nudge but a dramatic call to readiness for an unexpected arrival.
This verse is the dramatic turning point in Jesus' parable about the ten virgins. After a long and unexpected delay where all the virgins, both wise and foolish, fell asleep, a sudden cry erupts in the middle of the night. This cry announces the long-awaited arrival of the bridegroom, jolting everyone awake and initiating the critical moment of decision for the unprepared virgins.
This verse is the dramatic turning point in Jesus' parable about the ten virgins. After a long and unexpected delay where all the virgins, both wise and foolish, fell asleep, a sudden cry erupts in the middle of the night. This cry announces the long-awaited arrival of the bridegroom, jolting everyone awake and initiating the critical moment of decision for the unprepared virgins.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 25:6 is available in the Sola app.
The cry isn't just a summons to wake up; it's a call to action – 'Come out to meet him!' What does this active response mean for us?
The command isn't merely to awaken but to actively 'go out to meet' the Bridegroom. This highlights a crucial aspect of our faith:
Active Preparation
The wise virgins, upon hearing the cry, don't hesitate. They arise and trim their lamps, signifying immediate action and active preparation. This isn't passive waiting; it's a dynamic engagement with the reality of the Bridegroom's approach.
The Purpose of Readiness
Going out 'to meet him' implies anticipation and a desire for union. It’s about actively positioning ourselves to welcome Him, showing that our faith is not just belief, but a lived, expectant reality. The preparation is for a meeting, a communion, not just an arrival.
"But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’" — What's easy to miss here is that the cry isn't just an announcement; it’s a sudden, urgent summons to action. The Greek word for "cry" implies a loud, compelling sound that breaks through silence, si…
