Matthew 25:3 kjva — They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

King James Version with Apocrypha

"They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:"

— Matthew 25:3, King James Version with Apocrypha

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Matthew 25:3 in Other Translations

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Matthew 25 — Context

1

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6

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

Matthew 25:3 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Matthew 25:3 say?
Matthew 25:3 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:”
Where is Matthew 25:3 in the Bible?
Matthew 25:3 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 25, verse 3.
Who wrote Matthew?
Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax-collector turned apostle. It was written c. AD 50–70.
What is the book of Matthew about?
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah — son of David, son of Abraham, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Structured around five great teaching blocks including the Sermon on the Mount, it ends with the risen King commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
What are the major themes of Matthew?
Matthew explores themes including Kingdom of Heaven, Messiah, Fulfillment, Discipleship, Great Commission. These themes shape the meaning and context of Matthew 25:3.
What translation should I read Matthew 25:3 in?
Matthew 25:3 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Matthew 25:3?
Matthew 25:3 reads (KJVA): “They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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