Introduction: What They Took—And What They Didn’t
Matthew 25:3 reads:
Αἵτινες μωραὶ, λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν, οὐκ ἔλαβον μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν ἔλαιον.
“Those who were foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with themselves.”
Here we focus on the participial clause λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν—a grammatically elegant way to show sequence and preparation. This action, though correct on the surface, becomes the setup for what was lacking. The participle describes temporal precedence: what they did *before* failing to take oil.
Αἵτινες μωραὶ, λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν, οὐκ ἔλαβον μεθ’ ἑαυτῶν ἔλαιον.
λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν — “having taken their lamps.”
This is a classic example of a temporal aorist participial construction in Greek. It shows a completed action that precedes the main verb. The participle λαβοῦσαι comes from λαμβάνω (“to take”), and here it sets the stage for what the foolish virgins did not do after taking their lamps. The grammar creates a contrast between external preparation and internal lack, reinforcing the parable’s theme of readiness.
Morphological Breakdown of λαβοῦσαι
- λαβοῦσαι {labousai} –
Root: λαμβάνω {lambanō};
Form: aorist active participle, nominative feminine plural;
Tense: aorist (past, completed action);
Voice: active;
Case: nominative (agrees with αἵτινες);
Usage: circumstantial participle with temporal force;
Translation: “having taken.”
Notes: Describes an action prior to the main verb οὐκ ἔλαβον. - τὰς λαμπάδας {tas lampadas} –
Root: λαμπάς {lampas};
Form: accusative feminine plural noun;
Meaning: “lamps”;
Function: direct object of the participle λαβοῦσαι. - αὐτῶν {autōn} –
Root: αὐτός {autos};
Form: genitive third person plural pronoun;
Meaning: “their”;
Usage: possessive genitive modifying λαμπάδας.
Syntactical Analysis: Circumstantial Aorist Participle
This participial clause provides background context to the main clause:
– Temporal relationship: The aorist participle precedes the action of the main verb (οὐκ ἔλαβον).
– The structure is:
– λαβοῦσαι = “having taken”
– τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν = “their lamps”
The participle is nominative plural, matching the subject αἵτινες μωραὶ, so it is best rendered:
> “Who, having taken their lamps…”
Semantic and Theological Implications
The participle λαβοῦσαι expresses external correctness:
– They took their lamps.
– They did what appeared proper.
– But their preparation was superficial.
Theologically, this aligns with Jesus’ repeated warnings about:
– Outward readiness without inner substance (cf. Matthew 23:27).
– Religious form without spiritual wisdom.
The participle builds ironic contrast with the main verb οὐκ ἔλαβον—they took one thing, but failed to take the thing that mattered.
Literary and Narrative Significance
This participial clause:
– Sets up the crucial omission of the foolish virgins.
– Makes their lack more vivid by first highlighting their action.
– Builds toward the parable’s theme: appearance vs. preparedness.
Also, the parable unfolds in layers: this first clause shows they acted—but incompletely.
Having Taken Their Lamps
The phrase λαβοῦσαι τὰς λαμπάδας αὐτῶν may seem harmless—until it is followed by οὐκ ἔλαβον ἔλαιον.
They had the symbol.
They lacked the substance.
And grammar tells us:
They acted—but not wisely.
