Die zehn Brautjungfern (Lukas 12,35‒38; 13,25‒28)

25 »Wenn der Menschensohn kommt, wird es in seinem himmlischen Reich sein wie bei zehn Brautjungfern, die bei einer Hochzeit dem Bräutigam mit ihren Lampen entgegengingen. Fünf von ihnen verhielten sich klug, die anderen waren leichtfertig und dumm. 3-4 Die klugen Mädchen hatten sich nämlich vorher mit ausreichend Öl für ihre Lampen versorgt. Die anderen fünf dachten überhaupt nicht daran, einen Vorrat an Öl mitzunehmen.

Als sich die Ankunft des Bräutigams verzögerte, wurden sie alle müde und schliefen ein. Plötzlich um Mitternacht wurden sie mit dem Ruf geweckt: ›Der Bräutigam kommt! Geht und begrüßt ihn!‹

Da sprangen die Mädchen auf und bereiteten ihre Lampen vor. Die fünf, die nicht genügend Öl hatten, baten die anderen: ›Gebt uns etwas von eurem Öl! Unsere Lampen gehen aus.‹ Aber die Klugen antworteten: ›Das können wir nicht. Unser Öl reicht gerade für uns selbst. Geht doch zu einem Händler und kauft euch welches!‹

10 Da gingen sie los. In der Zwischenzeit kam der Bräutigam, und die Mädchen, die darauf vorbereitet waren, begleiteten ihn in den Festsaal. Dann wurde die Tür verschlossen. 11 Später kamen auch die fünf anderen. Sie standen draußen und riefen: ›Herr, mach uns doch die Tür auf!‹ 12 Aber er erwiderte: ›Was wollt ihr denn? Ich kenne euch nicht!‹

13 Deshalb seid wachsam und haltet euch bereit! Denn ihr wisst weder an welchem Tag noch zu welchem Zeitpunkt der Menschensohn kommen wird

Beauftragt zu handeln (Lukas 19,11‒27)

14 »Es wird dann so sein wie bei einem Mann, der vorhatte, ins Ausland zu reisen. Er rief alle seine Verwalter zusammen und vertraute ihnen sein Vermögen an. Sie sollten während seiner Abwesenheit gut damit wirtschaften. 15 Dem einen gab er fünf Zentner Silberstücke, einem anderen zwei und dem dritten einen Zentner, jedem nach seinen Fähigkeiten. Danach reiste er ab.

16 Der Mann mit den fünf Zentnern Silberstücke machte sich sofort daran, mit dem Geld Geschäfte zu treiben, und konnte so die Summe verdoppeln. 17 Auch der die zwei Zentner bekommen hatte, verdiente zwei hinzu. 18 Der dritte aber vergrub den Zentner, den sein Herr ihm anvertraut hatte, an einem sicheren Ort.

19 Nach langer Zeit kehrte der Herr von seiner Reise zurück und forderte seine Diener auf, mit ihm abzurechnen.

20 Der Mann, der fünf Zentner Silberstücke erhalten hatte, trat vor und übergab ihm zehn Zentner. Er sagte: ›Herr, fünf Zentner hast du mir gegeben. Hier, ich habe fünf dazuverdient.‹ 21 Da lobte ihn sein Herr: ›Gut so, du bist ein tüchtiger und zuverlässiger Verwalter. In kleinen Dingen bist du treu gewesen, darum werde ich dir Großes anvertrauen. Komm zu meinem Fest und freu dich mit mir!‹

22 Danach kam der Mann mit den zwei Zentnern. Er berichtete: ›Herr, ich habe den Betrag, den du mir gegeben hast, verdoppeln können.‹ 23 Da lobte ihn der Herr: ›Gut gemacht, du bist ein tüchtiger und zuverlässiger Verwalter. In kleinen Dingen bist du treu gewesen, darum werde ich dir Großes anvertrauen. Komm zu meinem Fest und freu dich mit mir!‹

24 Schließlich kam der Diener, dem der Herr einen Zentner Silberstücke gegeben hatte, und erklärte: ›Ich kenne dich als strengen Herrn und dachte: Du erntest, was andere gesät haben; du nimmst dir, wofür du nichts getan hast. 25 Aus Angst habe ich dein Geld sicher aufbewahrt. Hier hast du es wieder zurück!‹ 26 Zornig antwortete ihm darauf sein Herr: ›Was bist du nur für ein böser und fauler Verwalter! Wenn du schon der Meinung bist, dass ich ernte, was andere gesät haben, und mir nehme, wofür ich nichts getan habe, 27 hättest du mein Geld wenigstens bei einer Bank anlegen können! Dann hätte ich immerhin noch Zinsen dafür bekommen! 28 Nehmt ihm das Geld weg und gebt es dem, der die zehn Zentner hat!

29 Denn wer viel hat, der bekommt noch mehr dazu, ja, er wird mehr als genug haben! Wer aber nichts hat, dem wird selbst noch das Wenige, das er hat, genommen. 30 Und jetzt werft diesen Nichtsnutz hinaus in die tiefste Finsternis, wo es nur noch Heulen und ohnmächtiges Jammern[a] gibt!‹«

Das Weltgericht

31 »Wenn der Menschensohn in seiner ganzen Herrlichkeit kommt, begleitet von allen Engeln, dann wird er auf seinem Königsthron sitzen. 32 Alle Völker werden vor ihm versammelt werden, und er wird die Menschen in zwei Gruppen teilen, so wie ein Hirte die Schafe von den Ziegen trennt[b]. 33 Die Schafe stellt er rechts von sich auf und die Ziegen links. 34 Dann wird der König zu denen an seiner rechten Seite sagen: ›Kommt her! Euch hat mein Vater gesegnet. Nehmt Gottes Reich in Besitz, das er seit Erschaffung der Welt als Erbe für euch bereithält! 35 Denn als ich hungrig war, habt ihr mir zu essen gegeben. Als ich Durst hatte, bekam ich von euch etwas zu trinken. Ich war ein Fremder bei euch, und ihr habt mich aufgenommen. 36 Ich hatte nichts anzuziehen, und ihr habt mir Kleidung gegeben. Ich war krank, und ihr habt für mich gesorgt. Ich war im Gefängnis, und ihr habt mich besucht.‹

37 Dann werden sie, die nach Gottes Willen gelebt haben, fragen: ›Herr, wann bist du denn hungrig gewesen, und wir haben dir zu essen gegeben? Oder durstig, und wir gaben dir zu trinken? 38 Wann warst du als Fremder bei uns, und wir haben dir Gastfreundschaft gewährt? Und wann hattest du nichts anzuziehen, und wir haben dir Kleider gebracht? 39 Wann warst du denn krank oder im Gefängnis, und wir haben dich besucht?‹

40 Der König wird ihnen dann antworten: ›Das will ich euch sagen: Was ihr für einen meiner geringsten Brüder oder für eine meiner geringsten Schwestern getan habt, das habt ihr für mich getan!‹

41 Dann wird er sich denen an seiner linken Seite zuwenden und sagen: ›Geht mir aus den Augen, ihr Verfluchten, ins ewige Feuer, das für den Teufel und seine Engel bestimmt ist! 42 Denn ich war hungrig, aber ihr habt mir nichts zu essen gegeben. Ich war durstig, aber ihr habt mir nichts zu trinken gegeben. 43 Ich war als Fremder bei euch, aber ihr habt mich nicht aufgenommen. Ich hatte nichts anzuziehen, aber ihr wolltet mir keine Kleider geben. Ich war krank und im Gefängnis, aber ihr habt mich nicht besucht.‹ 44 Dann werden auch sie ihn fragen: ›Herr, wann haben wir dich denn hungrig oder durstig, ohne Unterkunft, ohne Kleidung, krank oder im Gefängnis gesehen und dir nicht geholfen?‹ 45 Darauf wird ihnen der König antworten: ›Ich versichere euch: Die Hilfe, die ihr meinen geringsten Brüdern und Schwestern verweigert habt, die habt ihr mir verweigert.‹ 46 Und sie werden der ewigen Strafe ausgeliefert sein. Aber die Gottes Willen getan haben, erwartet unvergängliches Leben.«

Footnotes

  1. 25,30 Wörtlich: nur Heulen und Zähneknirschen.
  2. 25,32 Oder: von den Böcken trennt. – Im Orient wurden Schafe und Ziegen häufig gemeinsam gehütet. Nachts trennte man sie voneinander, weil die Ziegen gegenüber der Kälte empfindlicher sind und deshalb eng zusammengetrieben werden mussten.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five[a] of the virgins[b] were foolish, and five were wise. When[c] the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra[d] olive oil[e] with them. But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. When[f] the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The[g] foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied.[h] ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then[i] the door was shut. 11 Later,[j] the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’[k] 12 But he replied,[l] ‘I tell you the truth,[m] I do not know you!’ 13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour.[n]

The Parable of the Talents

14 “For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves[o] and entrusted his property to them. 15 To[p] one he gave five talents,[q] to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work[r] and gained five more. 17 In the same way, the one who had two gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went out and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money in it. 19 After[s] a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled his accounts with them. 20 The[t] one who had received the five talents came and brought five more, saying, ‘Sir,[u] you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 His master answered,[v] ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 The[w] one with the two talents also came and said, ‘Sir, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more.’ 23 His master answered, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You have been faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 24 Then the one who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed, 25 so[x] I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered,[y] ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter? 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers,[z] and on my return I would have received my money back with interest![aa] 28 Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten.[ab] 29 For the one who has will be given more,[ac] and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.[ad] 30 And throw that worthless slave into the outer darkness,[ae] where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The Judgment

31 “When[af] the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All[ag] the nations will be assembled before him, and he will separate people one from another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He[ah] will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him,[ai] ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When[aj] did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? 39 When[ak] did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the king will answer them,[al] ‘I tell you the truth,[am] just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters[an] of mine, you did it for me.’

41 “Then he will say[ao] to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you did not receive me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they too will answer,[ap] ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not give you whatever you needed?’ 45 Then he will answer them,[aq] ‘I tell you the truth,[ar] just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.’ 46 And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”[as]

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:2 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  2. Matthew 25:2 tn Grk “Five of them.”
  3. Matthew 25:3 tn Grk “For when.” Here γάρ (gar) has not been translated.
  4. Matthew 25:3 tn The word “extra” is not in the Greek text but is implied. The point is that the five foolish virgins had only the oil in their lamps, but took along no extra supply from which to replenish them. This is clear from v. 8, where the lamps of the foolish virgins are going out because they are running out of oil.
  5. Matthew 25:3 tn On the use of olive oil in lamps, see L&N 6.202.
  6. Matthew 25:5 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  7. Matthew 25:8 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  8. Matthew 25:9 tn Grk “The wise answered, saying, ‘No.’”
  9. Matthew 25:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  10. Matthew 25:11 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  11. Matthew 25:11 tn Grk “Open to us.”
  12. Matthew 25:12 tn Grk “But answering, he said.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.
  13. Matthew 25:12 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
  14. Matthew 25:13 tc Most later mss (C3 Γ ƒ13 1241 1424c M) add here “in which the Son of Man is coming” (ἐν ᾗ ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἔρχεται, en |ē ho huios tou anthrōpou erchetai), reproducing almost verbatim the last line of Matt 24:44. The longer reading thus appears to be an explanatory expansion and should not be considered authentic. The earlier and better witnesses (P35 א A B C* D L W Δ Θ ƒ1 33 565 892 1424* al lat co) lack this phrase.
  15. Matthew 25:14 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 8:9.
  16. Matthew 25:15 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  17. Matthew 25:15 sn A talent was equal to 6000 denarii. See the note on this term in 18:24.
  18. Matthew 25:16 tn Grk “traded with them.”
  19. Matthew 25:19 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  20. Matthew 25:20 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  21. Matthew 25:20 tn Grk Or “Lord; or “Master” (and so throughout this paragraph).
  22. Matthew 25:21 tn Grk “His master said to him.”
  23. Matthew 25:22 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  24. Matthew 25:25 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  25. Matthew 25:26 tn Grk “But answering, his master said to him.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.
  26. Matthew 25:27 tn For the translation “deposited my money with the bankers,” see L&N 57.216.
  27. Matthew 25:27 sn That is, “If you really feared me you should have done a minimum to get what I asked for.”
  28. Matthew 25:28 tn Grk “the ten talents.”
  29. Matthew 25:29 tn Grk “to everyone who has, he will be given more.”sn The one who has will be given more. Faithfulness yields great reward (see Matt 13:12; also Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18; 19:26).
  30. Matthew 25:29 sn The one who has nothing has even what he seems to have taken from him, ending up with no reward at all (see also Luke 8:18). The exact force of this is left ambiguous, but there is no comfort here for those who are pictured by the third slave as being totally unmoved by the master. Though not an outright enemy, there is no relationship to the master either.
  31. Matthew 25:30 tn The Greek term translated “darkness” (σκότος) is associated with Tartarus in Aeschylus, Eumenides 72; other references to the darkness of death and the underworld can be found throughout the classical literature as far back as Homer. BDAG 932 s.v. σκότος 1 states: “Of the darkness of the place of punishment far removed fr. the heavenly kingdom (Philo, Exsecr. 152 βαθὺ σκότος. Cf. Wsd 17:20; PsSol 14:9.—σκ. κ. βόρβορος ‘gloom and muck’ await those who are untrue to the Eleusinian Mysteries, Ael. Aristid. 22, 10 K.=19 p. 421 D. Of the darkness of death and the underworld in Hom. and the Trag. As the domain of evil spirits PGM 36, 138; Theoph. Ant. 2, 7 [p. 110, 5]) τὸ σκ. τὸ ἐξώτερον the darkness outside Mt 8:12; 22:13; 25:30.”
  32. Matthew 25:31 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  33. Matthew 25:32 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  34. Matthew 25:33 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  35. Matthew 25:37 tn Grk “answer him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  36. Matthew 25:38 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  37. Matthew 25:39 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  38. Matthew 25:40 tn Grk “answering, the king will say to them.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.
  39. Matthew 25:40 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
  40. Matthew 25:40 tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelphoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited). In this context Jesus is ultimately speaking of his “followers” (whether men or women, adults or children), but the familial connotation of “brothers and sisters” is also important to retain here.
  41. Matthew 25:41 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  42. Matthew 25:44 tn Grk “Then they will answer, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  43. Matthew 25:45 tn Grk “answer them, saying.” The participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  44. Matthew 25:45 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amēn), I say to you.”
  45. Matthew 25:46 sn Here the ultimate destination of the righteous is eternal life. In several places Matthew uses “life” or “eternal life” in proximity with “the kingdom of heaven” or merely “the kingdom,” suggesting a close relationship between the two concepts (compare Matt 25:34 with v. 46; Matt 19:16, 17, 29 with vv. 23, 24). Matthew consistently portrays “eternal life” as something a person enters in the world to come, whereas the Gospel of John sees “eternal life” as beginning in the present and continuing into the future (cf. John 5:24).

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

25 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet (A)the bridegroom. (B)Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, (C)they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight (D)a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom [a]is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and (E)trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and (F)the door was shut.

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, (G)‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, (H)I do not know you.’

13 (I)“Watch therefore, for you (J)know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming.

The Parable of the Talents(K)

14 (L)“For the kingdom of heaven is (M)like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, (N)to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were (O)faithful over a few things, (P)I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into (Q)the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, (R)‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into (S)the joy of your lord.’

24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You (T)wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

29 (U)‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant (V)into the outer darkness. (W)There will be weeping and (X)gnashing of teeth.’

The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations

31 (Y)“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the [c]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 (Z)All the nations will be gathered before Him, and (AA)He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the (AB)sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, (AC)inherit the kingdom (AD)prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 (AE)for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; (AF)I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was (AG)naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; (AH)I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, (AI)inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, (AJ)‘Depart from Me, you cursed, (AK)into the everlasting fire prepared for (AL)the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

44 “Then they also will answer [d]Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, (AM)inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 And (AN)these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 25:6 NU omits is coming
  2. Matthew 25:13 NU omits the rest of v. 13.
  3. Matthew 25:31 NU omits holy
  4. Matthew 25:44 NU, M omit Him