In The Parable of the 10 Virgins (Bridesmaids), Matthew’s author is emphasizing that we must be prepared for the Son of the Man’s return at any moment and that your soul is not necessarily guaranteed a place in heaven just because you attend church. The term ‘lamp’ can also be understood as a tool to light the way and escape darkness in a spiritual sense. From this perspective, the oil cannot actually be shared even if the five wise women wanted to, because the oil that will light your path to salvation is not interchangeable. Then when the bridegroom (Jesus) arrives, only the five wise woman are able to leave with him while the five foolish woman are left out in the darkness. When the foolish woman finally arrive and beg entrance into his house (Kingdom of Heaven), he says “Truly I tell you I do not know.’ Keep awake therefore for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Mt 25:1-13).

In the Parable of Talents which follows directly after, the author’s attitude shifts from preparation to faithfulness and risk. First it should be understood that this parable is not supposed to focus on any economic gain, but rather on risking one’s own talents for the good of the Kingdom of Heaven and in service of the lord. In (Mt 25:21-22), the first two slaves were able to double what they had received previously, and they used their talents to faithfully serve their masters, in return they receive praise, promotion, and are able to ‘enter into the joy of their master’. The third slave however, has less faith in his ability and fears his master’s backlash and the punishment his physical body might endure. Even though the third slave was given less than the first two, he did not try to do anything with what he was given and his lack of faith led to his master’s dissatisfaction.

Following the harsh denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees in Ch. 23 and the temple’s destruction in Ch. 24., the parables in (Mt 24:45-25:-46) continue to point out that Jesus’s arrival could be at any time, and it is very possible to miss the opportunity into the Kingdom of Heaven if you aren’t prepared spiritually and mentally. We must not attach ourselves to this material world because not of it will matter in the next realm and we must use our faith and our abilities in the name of the lord.

Written to a primarily Jewish audience thought to be located in Upper Galilee, the gospel of Matthew was produced to help Matthean Christians who were conflicting with the majority sect of Jews (Rabbinic) and Gentiles. These parables would have let the community know that it was okay to be teach and follow in the way of the Pharisees, but never ‘be’ like them. Also that faith and preparation will be key factors in gaining access to heaven. If you are not prepared when Jesus returns, then you have missed your opportunity forever, therefore you must always be prepared spiritually, never attached to the material world and constantly using your abilities in the name of the good lord. You do not know when Jesus’s judgement is coming, but you know he is coming so you must be pious and good to others.