crites is a specimen of punishment. In the parallel passage, Luke xii. 46, we find avtaruv, unbelievers or faithless, i.e. those who are not faithful ; cf. ver. 45. — ^fati, shall appoint) by a judg ment, just, severe, and irreversible.
1. [Ton, then) sc. when the last day is close at hand. — B. G. V.] — dexa, ten) There is a mystery in this number, employed also in Luke xix. 13, and in its division here into two equal parts.1 The bride in ancient times had always ten virgins, at least, as bridesmaids.2 We do not possess many remains by which to illustrate this parable from Jewish antiquities. It is better to compare it with Ps. xlv. and the Book of Canticles. — Xa/x-Tradau', lamps) i.e. burning. — I^X^oi/, went forth) i.e. engaged to go forth ; see ver. 6. — roD N^ap/ou, the Bridegroom) See Luke xii. 36.
2. 3>p6vi(j,oi — pupai, prudent — -foolish) See ch. vii. 24, 26. — xa/ ai w'evrt fiupai, and the Jive other foolish) Their condition be comes better understood from the description given of the prudent.3
3. "EXa/ov, oil) i.e. except that with which the lamps were then burning : see latter part of ver. 8. The lamp burning is faith ; the lamp with oil beside is abundant faith.4
1 Either because the number on both sides will be equal, or because the inequality will not be evident. — V. g.
2 In general, at least among the Jews, ten constitute a society or company. -V. g.
3 Both characters are clearly described in 2 Pet. i. 5-8, 9, 10, 11. — B. G. V. They aimed at what was right, but not consistently and steadily.
-v. g.
1 Elsewhere he suggests another interpretation, viz. : " In a Burning Lamp there is Fire and Oil. By the Fire is here signified the supernatural, heavenly, fiery Spirit-power (Geisteskraft) which is bestowed upon the soul without its co-operation (ohne ihr Zuthun) : see 2 Pet. i. 3, 4 ; and by the Oil, holy Assiduity (Fleiss) on the part of man: see 2 Pet. i. 5. And of this, man should have not only enough for the exigencies of the present time, but also an abundant supply, see 2 Pet. i. 8 [sc. " if these things be in you