Matthew 25: Ready, Faithful and Kind

Jesus tells three stories about His return. Five wise young women keep oil for their lamps and are ready for the bridegroom. Servants are given talents; the faithful ones use them and hear Well done. When the King judges the nations, He welcomes those who fed the hungry, welcomed strangers and visited the sick, saying they did it to Him.

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Read Matthew 25

World English Bible · 46 verses

¹ “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ “For it is like a man going into another country, who called his own servants and entrusted his goods to them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ “Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and settled accounts with them.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents in addition to them.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² “He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ “He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and gathering where you didn’t scatter.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ “But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ Take away therefore the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁴ Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁶ I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁸ When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁰ “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴¹ Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴² for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴³ I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁴ “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁵ “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴⁶ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

Matthew 25 · Preschool

Ready With Our Lamps

Name Date

Color the picture. Point to the bright lamps, the young women and the night sky.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”

Matthew 25:4 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: The wise women were ready! We can be ready for Jesus too. Turn on a flashlight and talk about being ready.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Matthew 25 · Grade 4

Three Stories of Readiness

Name Date

Read and Think

Matthew 25 continues Jesus' teaching about His return with three parables. In the first, ten virgins wait for a bridegroom. The five wise ones bring extra oil for their lamps; the five foolish do not. When the bridegroom arrives at midnight, the wise go in to the wedding feast, and the door is shut. "Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

In the parable of the talents, a master entrusts large sums of money to three servants according to their ability. Two invest and double what they were given. The master praises each: "Well done, good and faithful servant." The third, afraid, buries his talent and returns it unused, and the master is displeased. God expects us to use faithfully what He has given.

Finally, Jesus describes the Son of Man on His throne, separating people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. To those on His right He says they fed Him when He was hungry, gave Him drink, welcomed Him, clothed Him, and visited Him. Surprised, they ask when. The King answers, "because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

Show What You Know

What made the five wise virgins ready?
How did the first two servants use their talents?
Why was the master displeased with the third servant?
According to the King, when did people serve Him?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

midnightoiltalentsGod

The five wise ones bring extra for their lamps; the five foolish do not.
When the bridegroom arrives at , the wise go in to the wedding feast, and the door is shut.
In the parable of the , a master entrusts large sums of money to three servants according to their ability.
expects us to use faithfully what He has given.

Think About It

What talents (gifts, time, abilities) has God given you? How can you use them for Him?
Who are the least of these around you? Name one way you could serve Jesus by serving them.

Memory Verse

“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:40 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Who around you is easy to overlook, and how can you help?
How can you be faithful with small jobs this week?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Matthew 25 · Grade 5

The Sheep and the Goats

Name Date

Read and Think

The three parables of Matthew 25 each answer the question of how we can wait well for Jesus' return. The ten virgins teach preparedness. Readiness cannot be borrowed at the last minute, as the foolish virgins discovered when they asked to share oil. Each person must be personally prepared to meet the Lord.

The parable of the talents teaches faithful stewardship. A talent was a huge sum, about twenty years' wages. Everything we have, our abilities, time, opportunities and the gospel itself, is entrusted to us by God. The faithful servants are rewarded with more responsibility and enter into their master's joy. The unfaithful servant's problem was a wrong view of his master, whom he called a hard man. Fear led to doing nothing.

The final scene is not a parable but a picture of the last judgment. The Son of Man sits on His glorious throne and separates the nations as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The righteous are not saved by their works; rather, their works of mercy reveal that they belong to the King. Jesus so identifies with His needy brothers and sisters that serving them is serving Him.

Show What You Know

What does the request to borrow oil teach about readiness?
About how much was a talent worth?
What was the root problem of the unfaithful servant?
How do works of mercy relate to the righteous in the judgment scene?
Why does serving the least of these count as serving Jesus?

Crossword

Across

When the bridegroom came.
The five wise young women brought extra.
The young women carried these.

Down

Well done, good and ____ servant.
Jesus is the ____ in the story.
The third servant hid his in the ground.

Think About It

How does the way you view God (harsh or generous) affect the way you use what He has given you?
The righteous were surprised that they had served Jesus. What does that tell you about the kind of kindness that pleases God?

Memory Verse

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory.

Matthew 25:31 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

One servant buried what he was given. What gift from God are you tempted to bury?
What talents or abilities could you use faithfully for God this year?
What is one specific way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Matthew 25: Ready, Faithful and Kind

Read Matthew 25

Worksheets

Ready With Our Lamps

Prayer

Take It Home

Well Done

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

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Faithful Servants

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Put the Story in Order

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Kindness to Jesus

Read the Story

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Word Search

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Well Done, Good Servant

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Put the Story in Order

Prayer

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Three Stories of Readiness

Read and Think

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Word Bank Fill-In

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Prayer

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The Sheep and the Goats

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

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Prayer

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