After addressing the disciples’ questions about the coming of “the end,” Jesus reinforces his teaching like he’s done so many times by telling a series of parables. Jesus tells three parables in rapid succession — the parable of the foolish bridesmaids, the parable of the talents, and the parable of the sheep and goats. Now, instead of having to place all of the biblical text here in this post, I’m simply going to invite you to take the time to pause and read Matthew 25 (and maybe even brush up on the previous post and the conversation in Matthew 24).
Rather than deal with all three parables separately, as we have been doing, discussing the different levels of interpretation for each one, I would like to deal with the p’shat level readings of these three parables together so that we might appreciate immediately what Jesus (and Matthew) is trying to accomplish by packaging this teaching together.
THE FOOLISH BRIDESMAIDS (vv. 1–13)
The p’shat of this teaching should be somewhat obvious. Jesus is telling a parable to reinforce the need to be ready and the foolishness of not being prepared. As we’ve looked at before, the context of Jewish weddings helps us to understand the foolishness of the bridesmaids. After a couple’s betrothal, the groom disappears for an undetermined length of time as he prepares their home and a place for them to be wed. The bride-to-be has no idea how long this will take and must be ready for the groom’s arrival. How foolish would it be for the bridesmaids not to be ready for the great celebration? This would be a matter of great anticipation in the village; wouldn’t everyone be ready for the coming of the groom?
THE TALENTS (vv. 14–30)
We’ll talk more about the confusing details of this parable in the next post, but we’ll consider this a p’shat observation of the teaching: Jesus wants to convey that people will have to give an account for what they have done with God’s Kingdom. How have they used what God has given them? It might also be worth noting here that the amount of the talents may be pointing to something. Do you remember the talk we had about the meaning of numbers? Consider that each member of this story is a particular number of talents. The first is given five (Books of Moses), the second is given two (the Tablets of Moses), and the third is given one (God). You don’t suppose there could be any hints about those that are given a deep knowledge of the Text, those who have a basic knowledge of the Text, and those who just have an experience with God — do you? God expects you to use what you have to bless the world around you.
THE SHEEP AND GOATS (vv. 31–46)
We are very familiar with this parable, and the p’shat within this teaching is also obvious. What we typically take away from this teaching is the criteria of the judgment — what it is that condemns the goats as goats. The sheep are praised because they take care of those in need. They hear the cry and they care for the marginalized. The goats are condemned because they do not join and partner with Him in bringing justice (mishpat) to the world. What does God care about?
When the Groom comes, will we be ready? Will we be able to give an account of how we have used what He gave us? We know what He will be looking for and the account that will matter; He will want us to care for those in need.
Now, let’s take the summary from the last post and combine it with the teaching points seen here before we dive into the remez and the drash contained in the teachings above:
You’re going to hear rumors of the end and false messiahs; do not believe it.
The world is going to get crazy and there is nothing you can do to stop it.
All of this is going to have to happen and you will have to persevere.
You will have to be ready; being ready means taking care of God’s people.
Parable of the Foolish Bridesmaids — be ready!
The priests aren’t doing it, so you will have to.
Parable of the Talents — you’ll have to give an account.
Persevere and be ready by taking care of the oppressed.
Parable of the Sheep and Goats — take care of the oppressed and do what the priests aren’t doing.
Do you see how Jesus’s parables are great reinforcements to His teaching to His disciples? And all of that is from a p’shat level observation. So let’s keep digging. Got your shovel?
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