John Calvin Commentary Matthew 25:5

"Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept." — Matthew 25:5 (ASV)

And while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Some interpret this slumbering in a negative sense, as if believers, along with others, abandoned themselves to sloth and were asleep among the vanities of the world. But this is entirely inconsistent with Christ's intention and with the structure of the parable.

There would be greater likelihood in explaining it to indicate death, which overtakes believers before Christ's coming. For we must not only look for salvation at that time, but also when we have left the world and are sleeping in Christ.

However, I understand it more simply as representing earthly occupations, in which believers must be engaged as long as they live in the body. And, although forgetfulness of God's kingdom should never creep over them, the distracting influence of this world's occupations is not unsuitably compared to sleep. For they cannot be so constantly occupied with the thought of meeting Christ as not to be distracted, delayed, or entangled by various cares. As a result, while they watch, they are partly asleep.