John Calvin Commentary Matthew 25:2

"And five of them were foolish, and five were wise." — Matthew 25:2 (ASV)

Five were wise. Towards the end of the previous chapter, our Lord specially required steward to be wise (Matthew 24:45), for it is reasonable that the heavier the charge any man sustains, and the more important the matters in which he is employed, the wisdom with which he conducts himself should be the greater.

But now he demands wisdom from all the children of God in general, that they may not, through inconsiderate rashness, expose themselves to be the prey of Satan.

Now this kind of wisdom he describes by saying that they are to provide themselves with the supplies necessary for completing the course of their life. For the warmth of our impatience makes us look upon the time, however short, as far too long protracted; and furthermore, our poverty is such that we need supplies for every hour.