169. ver. 42.
170. ver. 44.
171. The Parable in St. Luke xii. 35-48 is so closely parallel to this, that it seems
unnecessary to enter in detail upon its consideration.
Book V
THE CROSS AND THE CROWN
Chapter 7
EVENING OF THE THIRD DAY IN PASSION -WEEK
ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES
LAST PARABLES: TO THE DISCIPLES CONCERNING THE LAST THINGS
THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS
THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
SUPPLEMENTARY PARABLE OF THE MINAS AND THE KING'S RECKONING
WITH HIS SERVANTS AND HIS REBELLIOUS CITIZENS
(St. Matthew 25:1-13; St. Matthew 25:14-30; St. Luke 19:11-28.)
1. As might have been expected, the Parables concerning the Last Things are closely
connected with the Discourse of the Last Things, which Christ had just spoken to His
Disciples. In fact, that of the Ten Virgins, w hich seems the fullest in many-sided
meaning, is, in its main object, only an illustration of the last part of Christ's Discourse.1
Its great practical lessons had been: the unexpectedness of the Lord's Coming; the
consequences to be apprehend from its delay; and the need of personal and constant
preparedness. Similarly, the Parable of the Ten Virgins may, in its great outlines, be
thus summarised: Be ye personally prepared; be ye prepared for any length of time; be
ye prepared to go to Him directly.
1. St. Matt. xxiv. 36-51.
Before proceeding, we mark that this Parable also is connected with those that had
preceeded. But we notice not only connection, but progression. Indeed, it would be
deeply interesting, alike historically and for the better understand ing of Christ's teaching,
but especially as showing its internal unity and development, and the credibility of the
Gospel-narratives, generally to trace this connection and progress. And this, not merely
in the three series of parables which mark the three stages of His History - the Parables
of the Founding of the Kingdom, of its Character, and of its Consummation - but as
regards the parables themselves, that so the first might be joined to the last as a string
of heavenly pearls. But this lies beyond our task. Not so, to mark the connection
between the Parable of the Ten Virgins and that of the Man without the Wedding -
Garment.
Like the Parable of the Ten Virgins, it had pointed to the future. If the exclusion and
punishment of the Unprepared Guest did not primarily refer to the Last Day, or to the
Return of Christ, but perhaps rather to what would happen in death, it pointed, at least
secondarily, to the final consummation. On the other hand, in the Parable of the Ten