The Meaning of Matthew 25:6 Explained

Matthew 25:6

KJV: And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

YLT: and in the middle of the night a cry was made, Lo, the bridegroom doth come; go ye forth to meet him.

Darby: But in the middle of the night there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom; go forth to meet him.

ASV: But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  at midnight  there was a cry  made,  Behold,  the bridegroom  cometh;  go ye out  to  meet  him. 

What does Matthew 25:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 25:1-13 - Be Ready For The Bridegroom
Three remarkable parables occupy this chapter and follow a marked sequence of thought. First, we are called upon to look to ourselves, and be sure that we are prepared to enter the wedding feast; that is, to enter into the holiest and closest union with our Lord. Many are called into that union of thought, and prayer and service, but, alas, how few there are who approve themselves as chosen for that inner intimacy! We must see to it that our hearts are pure with virginal purity, and that the light is ever burning in our hearts, through the continual inpouring of the oil of the Holy Spirit.
How marvelous the power which, from the noisy night procession of an oriental wedding, could bring this exquisite parable! The short, warm Eastern night, the ten girls, the cry, the peace of the prepared, the anguish of the unready, the inside and outside of the door! O blessed Comforter, may we not fail thee, as thou wilt not fail those who in their weakness seek thy help! [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 25

1  The parable of the ten virgins,
14  and of the talents
31  Also the description of the last judgment

Greek Commentary for Matthew 25:6

There is a cry [κραυγη γεγονεν]
A cry has come. Dramatic use of the present perfect (second perfect active) indicative, not the perfect for the aorist. It is not εστιν — estin but γεγονεν — gegonen which emphasizes the sudden outcry which has rent the air. The very memory of it is preserved by this tense with all the bustle and confusion, the rushing to the oil-venders. [source]
Come ye forth to meet him [εχερχεστε εις απαντησιν]
Or, Go out for meeting him, dependent on whether the cry comes from outside the house or inside the house where they were sleeping because of the delay. It was a ceremonial salutation neatly expressed by the Greek phrase. [source]
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 to the oil-vendors. [source]
To meet him [εἰς ἀπάντησιν]
The translation can hardly convey the meaning of the Greek phrase, which implies a custom orfamiliar ceremony. Come forth unto meeting. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 25:6

John 11:43 He cried with a loud voice [πωνηι μεγαληι εκραυγασεν]
First aorist active indicative of κραυγαζω — kraugazō old and rare word from κραυγη — kraugē (Matthew 25:6). See Matthew 12:19. Occurs again in John 18:40; John 19:6, John 19:12. Only once in the lxx (Ezra 3:13) and with πωνηι μεγαληι — phōnēi megalēi (either locative or instrumental case makes sense) as here. For this “elevated (great) voice” see also Matthew 24:31; Mark 15:34, Mark 15:37; Revelation 1:10; Revelation 21:3. The loud voice was not for the benefit of Lazarus, but for the sake of the crowd standing around that they might see that Lazarus came forth simultaneously with the command of Jesus. Lazarus, come forth “Hither out.” No verb, only the two adverbs, deuro here alone in John. Lazarus heard and obeyed the summons. [source]
John 18:40 Cried out [εκραυγασαν]
First aorist active of κραυγαζω — kraugazō old and rare verb from κραυγη — kraugē outcry (Matthew 25:6), as in Matthew 12:19. Not this man Contemptuous use of ουτος — houtos The priests put the crowd up to this choice (Mark 15:11) and Pilate offered the alternative (Matthew 27:17, one MS. actually gives Jesus as the name of Barabbas also). The name αραββας — Barabbas in Aramaic simply means son of a father. A robber Old word from ληιζομαι — lēizomai to plunder, and so a brigand and possibly the leader of the band to which the two robbers belonged who were crucified with Jesus. Luke terms him an insurgent and murderer (Luke 23:19, Luke 23:25). They chose Barabbas in preference to Jesus and apparently Jesus died on the very cross planned for Barabbas. [source]
Acts 28:15 To meet us [εις απαντησιν ημιν]
Idiomatic phrase, “for meeting with us” (associative instrumental case). Koiné{[28928]}š word απαντησις — apantōsis from verb απανταω — apantaō to meet, in N.T. only here; Matthew 25:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Use after neisn rather than infinitive like a translation Hebraism (Robertson, Grammar, p. 91). As far as the Market of Appius (εις — achri Appiou Phorou). The Forum of Appius, 90 miles from Puteoli, 40 from Rome, on the great Appian Way. The Censor Appius Claudius had constructed this part of the road, b.c. 312. Paul probably struck the Appian Way at Capua. Portions of this great stone highway are still in use. If one wishes to tread where Paul trod, he can do it here. Appii Forum had a bad reputation, the haunt of thieves, thugs, and swindlers. What would this motley crowd think of Paul chained to a soldier? Three Taverns Genitive case after Τριων Ταβερνων — achri like αχρι — Appiou Phorou About 30 miles from Rome. Tres Tabernae. Whom (Αππιου Πορου — hous). Two groups of the disciples came (one Gentile, one Jewish, Rackham thinks), one to Appii Forum, the other to Three Taverns. It was a joyous time and Julius would not interfere. Took courage The old substantive ελαβε ταρσος — tharsos is here alone in the N.T. Jesus himself had exhorted Paul to be of good courage Paul had passed through enough to cause depression, whether he was depressed or not, but he deeply appreciated this kindly sympathy. [source]
Ephesians 4:31 Clamour [κραυγη]
Old word for outcry (Matthew 25:6; Luke 1:42). See note on Colossians 3:8 for the other words. Be put away (αρτητω — arthētō). First aorist passive imperative of αιρω — airō old verb, to pick up and carry away, to make a clean sweep. [source]
1 Thessalonians 5:2 In the night [ἐν νυκιτί]
The ancient church held that the advent was to be expected at night, on an Easter eve. This gave rise to the custom of vigils. Jerome, on Matthew 25:6, says: “It is a tradition of the Jews that Messiah will come at midnight, after the likeness of that season in Egypt when the Passover was celebrated, and the Destroyer came, and the Lord passed over the dwellings. I think that this idea was perpetuated in the apostolic custom, that, on the day of vigils, at the Pascha, it was not allowed to dismiss the people before midnight, since they expected the advent of Christ.” It is noteworthy how many of the gospel lessons on watchfulness are associated with the night and a visit by night. See Matthew 24:43; Matthew 25:1-13; Mark 13:35; Luke 12:35, Luke 12:38; Luke 17:34; Luke 12:20. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 25:6 mean?

At middle then of [the] night a cry there was Behold the bridegroom Go forth to meet him
Μέσης δὲ νυκτὸς κραυγὴ γέγονεν Ἰδοὺ νυμφίος ἐξέρχεσθε εἰς ἀπάντησιν ‹αὐτοῦ›

Μέσης  At  middle 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: μέσος  
Sense: middle.
νυκτὸς  of  [the]  night 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: νύξ  
Sense: night.
κραυγὴ  a  cry 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: κραυγή  
Sense: a crying, outcry, clamour.
γέγονεν  there  was 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
Ἰδοὺ  Behold 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἰδού  
Sense: behold, see, lo.
νυμφίος  bridegroom 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: νυμφίος  
Sense: a bridegroom.
ἐξέρχεσθε  Go  forth 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἐξέρχομαι 
Sense: to go or come forth of.
ἀπάντησιν  meet 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀπάντησις  
Sense: to meet one.