The parables in the end of chapter 24 and all of chapter 25 in Matthew are apocalyptic in nature. They are taken from the M and Q sources, not Mark, implying that the author added them strategically for a certain purpose. White poses the argument that these apocalyptic parables refer back to the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum in Luke chapter 10. In Matthew 11:23 only Capernaum is mentioned, but the idea is the same. These towns rejected Jesus, and the authors of both Luke and Matthew are clear in stating that when judgment day comes, they will be “brought down to Hades.” Impending doom and judgment is much scarier if it is happening soon. Matthew could have added these apocalyptic parables, saying that judgment day is happening soon to scare people into following Jesus. Every Jew knows what happened to Sodom, and if it will be better for Sodom then for the cities that rejected Jesus on judgment day, they better not reject Jesus.

The parables are each unique, but have the same general idea. Matthew used different examples of different types of people to address various social and economical groups. The first one, in Matthew 24:45-51, uses the example of slaves. A master puts a slave in charge of the other slaves, and he is to care for them. He gives them their food when they need it and works hard. However, if the slave is wicked and impatient, he will beat the other slaves and treat them poorly. Then when the master comes back the wicked slave will be cut into pieces and put with the hypocrites, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. This parable could speak to a wide group of people. Not necessarily slaves, but people in charge of other people. The point is they don’t know when the master is coming back, but they should always be ready and not lose faith. They know it will be soon, but they must be patient and treat others well. There is also the use of the word hypocrite, which could be connected to the Pharisees. The people listening to the parables could have been familiar with Jesus’ battle against the Pharisees, and heard on more than one occasion them being called hypocrites. The point that Matthew is trying to get across is that judgment is coming. The Pharisees will be where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, and if the people aren’t patient and take care of other people they will be there with them.

Parable number two in Matthew 25:1-13 gives the picture of a wedding party at a banquet. This could have been directed to the wealthier group of people, and even towards women. There are a group of bridesmaids going to meet the bridegroom. They take lamps; the wise girls take oil with them and the foolish girls don’t. The bridegroom was late, and the bridesmaids fell asleep. When the bridegroom finally arrives, the bridesmaids wake up to enter the wedding feast, but he foolish girls don’t have oil for their lamps. The wise girls get to enter, and the foolish are left behind. The bridegroom is God, Jesus, or judgment. The interpretation varies, and it’s hard to say what Matthew was implying. Regardless, judgment comes, later than expected, and the foolish people get left behind. The message is the same: judgment is coming, no one knows when, but everyone should be ready. The people should be wise and ready for judgment at all times.