But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "go ye out to meet him" implies a ceremonial procession, not just waiting, highlighting that readiness involves actively going forth to greet the bridegroom. The use of the perfect tense for "there was a cry" suggests that this announcement isn't just a past event but has a present, ongoing impact, immediately waking everyone to action.
But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is the dramatic turning point in Jesus' parable about ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom. All the virgins, wise and foolish alike, have fallen asleep while waiting, and the bridegroom's arrival is unexpectedly delayed until the middle of the night. This sudden cry at midnight signals that the long-awaited moment has finally arrived, forcing everyone to wake up and prepare to meet him.
Imagine being fast asleep, only to be jolted awake by a loud, urgent cry. That's exactly what happens in this parable.
The parable describes the cry coming 'at midnight.' This isn't just a random time; it signifies the unexpected, when everything is at its deepest point of rest or unawareness. It highlights the suddenness with which the bridegroom's arrival will be announced.
More Than an Alarm
This 'cry' isn't just a gentle nudge. The original language suggests a powerful shout, designed to jolt everyone awake. It marks a decisive moment of change – no more waiting, no more sleeping. It’s the sound that shatters complacency and demands immediate attention.
This wasn't just about showing up; it involved a specific, respectful action. What does 'go out to meet him' really mean?
The phrase 'go out to meet him' points to a cultural custom. In ancient times, it was common for friends and family to go forth from the city or village to escort a bridegroom with celebration as he approached.
An Act of Honor
This outward movement signifies honor, welcome, and active participation in the joy of the occasion. It's not passive waiting, but a dynamic engagement. The virgins, both wise and foolish, are called to this outward act. The critical difference, as the parable unfolds, is their readiness to participate fully.
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Suddenly, the bridegroom is here! But not everyone is ready. This verse sets the stage for a stark contrast.
This midnight cry immediately exposes the difference between those who were prepared and those who were not. While the cry is for all, the response reveals their inner state.
A Revelation, Not a Judgment
The cry itself doesn't judge; it reveals. The wise virgins, having prepared, can immediately act. The foolish, however, are caught in their unpreparedness. The urgent call forces them to confront their lack of readiness. This parable starkly contrasts those who have diligently prepared with those who have neglected preparation, showing how an urgent, unexpected event reveals true spiritual condition.
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 return with a shout and the trumpet of God, mirroring the sudden and resounding 'cry' announcing the bridegroom's arrival in Matthew 25:6.
Matthew 24:42Jesus warns believers to 'stay awake,' because the Son of Man will come at an hour when they do not expect him, directly paralleling the unexpected midnight arrival in the parable.
Revelation 3:3Similar to the parable, this passage admonishes believers to 'remember, receive, obey, repent, and amend,' warning that if they do not wake up, Christ will come like a thief, emphasizing the need for preparedness.
Luke 12:35-36This passage, also spoken by Jesus, uses the imagery of servants waiting for their master's return from a wedding celebration, highlighting the theme of constant readiness for his coming.
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…
The phrase "go ye out to meet him" implies a ceremonial procession, not just waiting, highlighting that readiness involves actively going forth to greet the bridegroom. The use of the perfect tense for "there was a cry" suggests that this announcement isn't just a past event but has a present, ongoing impact, immediately waking everyone to action.
This verse is the dramatic turning point in Jesus' parable about ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom. All the virgins, wise and foolish alike, have fallen asleep while waiting, and the bridegroom's arrival is unexpectedly delayed until the middle of the night. This sudden cry at midnight signals that the long-awaited moment has finally arrived, forcing everyone to wake up and prepare to meet him.
This verse is the dramatic turning point in Jesus' parable about ten virgins waiting for a bridegroom. All the virgins, wise and foolish alike, have fallen asleep while waiting, and the bridegroom's arrival is unexpectedly delayed until the middle of the night. This sudden cry at midnight signals that the long-awaited moment has finally arrived, forcing everyone to wake up and prepare to meet him.
"But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’" — The phrase "go ye out to meet him" implies a ceremonial procession, not just waiting, highlighting that readiness involves actively going forth to greet the bridegroom. The use of the perfect tense f…
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Last reviewed October 2026