The Jewish Wedding Explained - Matthew 25.1-13_the 10 Virgins (Background) Series

2025.09.28.sermon notes.THE JEWISH WEDDING EXPLAINED - MATTHEW 25.1-13

William Akehurst, HSWC

Scriptures: Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Luke 22:20, John 14:2-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 19:7-9

BIG IDEA: A Jewish wedding is a beautiful, symbolic ceremony filled with tradition. It reflects God’s covenant with His people and points prophetically to Christ and His bride, the Church.

PURPOSE: To understand Matthew 25:1-13, the parable 10 Virgins, we must understand the background, tradition and meaning of the JEWISH WEDDING.

1. THE BETROTHAL (KIDDUSHIN / ERUSIN)

• In ancient times, marriage began with a betrothal, a binding covenant stronger than modern engagement.

• The groom (or his family) would pay a bride price (mohar), symbolizing the value he placed on her.

• A ketubah (marriage contract) was signed, outlining the husband’s responsibilities to provide for and protect his wife.

• They were legally bound but did not live together yet.

• Spiritually, this parallels our salvation; when Christ, the Bridegroom, paid the price for His bride with His own blood.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

2. THE CUP OF THE COVENANT

• The groom offered the bride a cup of wine; if she drank, she accepted the marriage proposal.

• This mirrors Jesus offering the cup at the Last Supper:

Luke 22:20 …“This cup is the new covenant in My blood”

3. THE GROOM’S DEPARTURE TO PREPARE A PLACE

• After betrothal, the groom would leave to prepare a home, usually an addition onto his father’s house.

• He often stayed away about a year, working until the father said the place was ready.

• The bride waited, preparing herself with garments and oil lamps, never knowing the exact time of his return.

• Jesus echoed this:

John 14:2-3 …“I go to prepare a place for you...I will come again and receive you”

4. THE BRIDE’S PREPARATION

• The bride remained pure and ready, often with her bridesmaids.

• Lamps had to be filled with oil in case the groom arrived at night.

• This is the backdrop of Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the ten virgins.

5. THE GROOM’S RETURN (NISSUIN / “TAKING UP”)

• At a time only the father of the groom decided, the groom would return, usually at night with a shout and the sound of a shofar (trumpet).

• The bride and her attendants had to be ready to go immediately.

• This parallels the rapture of the Church:

1 Thessalonians 4:16 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God…”

6. THE WEDDING CEREMONY

• The couple stood under a chuppah (wedding canopy), symbolizing the home they would build together and God’s covering presence.

• Blessings (Sheva Brachot “Seven Blessings”) were spoken over them.

• They exchanged vows and rings, and the groom often broke a glass underfoot; a reminder of the destruction of the Temple and that even in joy, life is incomplete until God restores all things.

7. THE MARRIAGE SUPPER

• After the ceremony came a great wedding feast lasting up to seven days, filled with joy, music, and dancing.

• This foreshadows the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7-9, when Christ and His bride celebrate in heaven.

Revelation 19:7-9 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

SUMMARY: The Jewish wedding is not just a cultural event; it’s a prophetic picture of God’s redemptive plan.

• Betrothal - Salvation (we are bought with a price).

• Groom’s departure - Jesus ascends to prepare a place.

• Bride’s preparation - The Church keeps watch and stays pure.

• Groom’s return - The Rapture.

• Wedding feast - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

QUESTION IS...

Are you ready for the Bridegroom’s coming?

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Bill