Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 25:13

"Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour." — Matthew 25:13 (ASV)

Watch therefore, etc. This is the scope or design of the whole parable. This is the great truth He wished to inculcate, and all parts of the parable are to be interpreted in reference to this admonition. Like the virgins, many are professedly going to meet the Bridegroom—the Lord Jesus Christ.

Like the coming of the bridegroom, His advent will be sudden. It will be to many at an unexpected time. Many, even professing Christians, will be engaged in the business of the world; thoughtless about eternity; not expecting His approach, and unprepared. They will only profess to know Him, but in works they will deny Him.

So death will come. All approaches of the Son of God to judge men are sudden, and to many unexpected. So many, when they see Him coming—at death or the judgment—will begin, like the foolish virgins, to be active and to prepare to die. But it will be too late.

Those who are ready will enter in, and heaven will be closed forever against all others. The coming of the Savior is certain. The precise time when He will come is not certain. As the virgins should all have watched and been ready, so should we. Those who are Christians should be ever watchful; and those who are not should lose no time to be ready, for in such an hour as they think not the Son of Man shall come.

The Son of man cometh. This refers, undoubtedly, to His coming in the day of judgment. The circumstances of the parable do not seem at all to apply to His coming to destroy Jerusalem, but are aptly expressive of His advent to judge the world.