What does the parable of the ten virgins teach?

Answer Details

The parable of the ten virgins is found in Matthew 25:1-13. In the story, ten virgins take their lamps and go out to meet a bridegroom. Five are described as wise and five as foolish. The wise virgins bring extra oil for their lamps, while the foolish ones bring no reserve. When the bridegroom is delayed and arrives at midnight, the foolish virgins find their lamps going out and have no oil to refill them. While they go to buy oil, the bridegroom arrives, and the wise virgins enter the wedding feast. The door is shut, and the foolish virgins are left outside.

Jesus concludes the parable with the instruction: "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." The central lesson is about being spiritually prepared and vigilant for Christ's return, which will come at an unexpected time. Those who are ready will enter the kingdom; those who are not will be excluded.

The parable does not address faith without works (a theme treated in the Epistle of James), the power of prayer, or giving alms. Its focus is entirely on preparedness and watchfulness for the second coming.