Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 25:5

"Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept." — Matthew 25:5 (ASV)

While the bridegroom tarried — Strictly speaking, the time described here includes the entire interval between our Lord’s Ascension and His final Advent. However, according to the principle of “springing and germinant accomplishments,” which we have recognized as applying to this whole subject, we can also see in it something that corresponds to any period in the history of a church, or even in the life of any church member, when things go smoothly and according to routine.

At such a time, even the wise and good tend to slumber, and the crisis—which is for them, if not for the world at large, like the bridegroom’s coming—takes them by surprise. But they have what the foolish do not: the reserved strength of steadfast faith and divine help to fall back on.

It is worth noting that the “delay” in this case is followed by a less glaring form of evil than that in Matthew 24:48. Not reckless and brutal greed, but simple apathy and neglect is the fault noted for condemnation.

Slumbered and slept — The first word implies the “nodding” that indicates the first approach of drowsiness, while the second implies continuous sleeping.