This parable begins like many other parables of Jesus, “The kingdom of heaven is like…” The parable of the ten virgins is like the kingdom of heaven at the time Christ comes to establish it upon the earth (Matthew 25:1-13). As the virgins were to be prepared with sufficient oil for their lamps to watch for and finally go out to meet the approaching bridegroom, so we must be prepared and watching for our King and bridegroom to come.
The delay of the bridegroom is important to understanding the parable (vs 5). It was this delay that exposed five of the virgins to be foolish for they did not take along enough oil. The bridegroom came at an hour they did not expect, and they were denied entrance into the wedding feast. In the same way, those unprepared for Christ’s return will be denied entrance into the kingdom of God. Jesus ended the parable with a warning, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (vs 13).