Stories of the Kingdom: The Parables of JesusНамуна

Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

Jesus tells a story about ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom's arrival at a wedding feast. Five of them were wise, bringing extra oil for their lamps, while the other five were foolish, bringing only their lamps without any additional oil. As they waited, all the virgins fell asleep.

At midnight, the cry goes out that the bridegroom is coming. The virgins wake up and trim their lamps. The foolish virgins realize they are running out of oil and ask the wise virgins for some, but they refuse, saying there may not be enough for both of them. So, the foolish virgins go to buy oil, and while they are gone, the bridegroom arrives. The wise virgins go into the wedding feast with him, and the door is shut.

Later, the foolish virgins return, knocking on the door and pleading to be let in. However, the bridegroom tells them, "Truly, I do not know you."

How does this parable challenge our understanding of preparation and readiness for the coming of Christ?