Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 25:4

"but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." — Matthew 25:4 (ASV)

The “wise” (GK 5861) are called such because they are prepared for the bridegroom’s delayed coming. Both wise and “foolish” (GK 3704) wait and doze; no praise or blame attaches to either group for this. The sole distinction between the two groups is this: the wise bring not only oil in their lamps but an extra supply in separate jars, while the foolish bring either no extra oil or no oil at all. The wise are prepared for delay; the foolish expect to meet the groom, but are either utterly unprepared or unprepared if he is delayed. And the bridegroom is a long time coming (24:48; 25:19).