"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.' While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.' Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Mt 25:1-13)
This parable is about the bridegroom and ten virgins (friends) who came to receive him. The story does not speak about the bride at all. The parable speaks about the kingdom. The kingdom and belonging to kingdom are the main concerns of this parable. Kingdom is the place where the bridegroom is present or arrives. The time of the arrival of the bridegroom is known.
All the ten virgins are the same. There are wise ones and foolish ones among them. The distinction is based on the way they have prepared themselves to welcome the bridegroom. All the ten feel drowsy and fall asleep. They are equal on this regard. The difference is on their preparedness and readiness to receive when the bridegroom arrives.
The kingdom is a time of celebration. The celebration is the wedding feast of the bridegroom. The day and the time of arrival of the bridegroom are not known. Readiness at any time is the only requirement from those who await the arrival. Arrival is certain. The bridegroom will definitely come. Readiness is the only element on which the acquaintance and the belonging to the bridegroom are measured.
