While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

MATTHEW 25:5KJV
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Matthew 25:5 (KJV)

What does Matthew 25:5 mean?

Matthew 25:5 describes a pause in Jesus’ story about ten young women waiting to meet a bridegroom. His arrival takes longer than expected, and the whole group falls asleep. Both the wise and the foolish women share the same wait.

Jesus is telling the story to his disciples. The lamps and the wait for the bridegroom picture a wedding celebration, but the delay leaves the women waiting into the night. The verse marks the time between their preparations and the announcement of his arrival.

The Greek behind Matthew 25:5

  • “tarried” — χρονίζω (chronizō): The word carries the sense of taking time or being delayed. Here it gives the reason the women have a long wait.
  • “slumbered” — νυστάζω (nystazō): The word can mean to become drowsy or nod off. Paired with “slept,” it pictures the women growing sleepy before they are fully asleep.

Why Matthew 25:5 matters

  • Sleep alone does not separate the two groups. Jesus says “they all” slumbered and slept, including both the wise and the foolish women named earlier in the story.
  • The delay makes the earlier difference in preparation important. The wise had brought oil with their lamps, while the foolish had not brought extra oil (Matthew 25:3–4).
  • The arrival comes after the women have fallen asleep. A cry at midnight announces the bridegroom and calls them to meet him (Matthew 25:6).

Where else these words appear

“slumbered” Greek G3573 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

“tarried” Greek G5549 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
  • Luke 1:21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
  • Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

“bridegroom” Greek G3566 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
  • Matthew 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
  • Luke 5:35 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

“slept” Greek G2518 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
  • Mark 4:27 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.
  • Mark 14:41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.