The parable of the wise and foolish virgins (also known as the parable of the ten virgins) is the first parable in Jesus’ Olivet discourse, delivered on the Mount of Olives (Matt 24:3). Matthew 24-25 is an important teaching concerning the end times and Jesus’ second coming. However, we won’t delve into end times issues with this article, but will limit ourselves to the parable’s specific teaching.
Jesus juxtaposes two groups of virgins, those who prepare ahead of time for the bridegroom’s arrival and those who don’t. Both groups sleep, but when the time comes to meet the
