John Calvin Commentary Matthew 25:1

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom." — Matthew 25:1 (ASV)

Then shall the kingdom of heaven. This term refers to the condition of the future Church, which was to be gathered by the authority and direction of Christ. He uses this remarkable title so that believers may not deceive themselves with an erroneous opinion that they have arrived at absolute perfection.

The parable is borrowed from the ordinary custom of life. For it was a childish speculation of Jerome and others to cite this passage in praise of virginity, while Christ had no other object in view than to lessen the uneasiness believers might be likely to feel because of the delay of His coming.

Therefore, He says that He asks nothing more from us than is usually done for friends at a marriage-feast. The custom was that virgins, who are tender and delicate, should, as a sign of respect, accompany the bridegroom to his chamber. But the general instruction of the parable consists in this: that it is not enough to have been once ready and prepared for the discharge of duty if we do not persevere to the end.