Matthew 25:1

Then; at the time when the Son of man shall come, as foretold in the preceding chapter. The object of this parable is to show that as we do not know when Christ will come, we should so live as to be always ready. Its highest reference is to his final personal coming; but this does not exclude lower references, as that of his particular coming to each individual at death.

To meet the bridegroom; when he went, according to the custom of the age and country, to fetch home his bride by night. Men of very different characters here live together, make similar outward professions, and join in the same employments; but at death the difference between them will be manifest and great.