Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 25:9

"But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." — Matthew 25:9 (ASV)

At midnight (a symbol of the end of time) “the cry rang out.” All the virgins wake up and trim their lamps; but the lamps of the foolish virgins quickly go out. The wise virgins cannot help them; that is, the foresight and preparedness of the wise virgins cannot benefit the foolish virgins when the eschatological crisis dawns (vv.8–9). Preparedness can neither be transferred nor shared.