Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man comes.
All Commentaries on Matthew 25:13 Go To Matthew 25
Hilary of Poitiers
AD 368
“Then,” because all this discourse is concerning the great day of the Lord, concerning which He had been speaking before.
Or, The five wise and five foolish are an absolute distinction between believers and unbelievers.
The “oil” is the fruit of good works, the “vessels” are the human bodies in whose inward parts the treasure of a good conscience is to be laid up.
At the trumpet signal they go forth to meet the bridegroom alone, for then shall the two be one, that is, the flesh and God, when the lowliness of the flesh shall be transformed into spiritual glory.
Or, the trimming their lamps is the return of their souls into their bodies, and their light is the consciousness of good works that shines forth, which is contained in the vessels of the body.
They that sell are the poor, who, needing the alms of the faithful, made them that recompense which they desire, selling in return for the relief afforded to their wants, a consciousness of good works. This is the abundant fuel of an undying light which may be bought and stored up for the fruits of mercy.
“The marriage” is the putting on of immortality, and the joining together corruption and in corruption in a new union.
Yet though the season of repentance is now past, the foolish virgins come and beg that entrance may be granted to them.
