Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 25:6-7

"But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps." — Matthew 25:6-7 (ASV)

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

They were suddenly awakened, and they leaped to their feet—starting up at the midnight cry, 'Behold the heavenly Bridegroom near!' They all trimmed their lamps. That was the first thing for them to do, to look to their torches and have them ready. They could not meet the Bridegroom in the dark; they must each have a light, so they began their lamp-trimming.

It is a pity to have to trim your lamp at the last. O dear friends, it is hard work, on a dying bed, to have to be tending to one's lamp! You want your evidences to be bright there—your faith to be firm, and all your graces brilliant.

There must be no doubts and questions there; otherwise, they make a dying bed feel as hard as granite to the head. May none of us, at the last, have to trim our lamps! Those virgins who had oil in their vessels were able to trim their lamps; and, though the work was done hurriedly, it was done, and they were able to take their places in the bridal procession.