Matthew 25:13

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:13 (KJV)

Context

Matthew 25:13 concludes the Parable of the Ten Virgins, which Jesus told as part of His teaching about the kingdom of heaven. In the parable, ten virgins take their lamps and go out to meet the bridegroom. Five are wise and bring extra oil; five are foolish and bring none. While the bridegroom delays, all fall asleep. At midnight a cry announces his arrival. The wise virgins are ready and enter the wedding feast, but the foolish, lacking oil, are shut out.

Meaning

The command “Watch therefore” is the central point of the entire parable. The word “therefore” ties the command directly to the story: because the wise were ready and the foolish were not, believers must remain watchful. The reason for this urgency is that we know neither the day nor the hour of the Son of Man’s coming. This ignorance of the exact timing is deliberate; it keeps God’s people on guard against deception and temptation and motivates persistent prayer and readiness.

The parable emphasizes that spiritual preparedness is a personal responsibility. The wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish; each person must ensure their own readiness through a genuine and active relationship with God. The certainty of Christ’s return is not in question, only its timing, which is hidden to foster a continual state of readiness.

Biblical connections

The call to watchfulness because the timing is unknown appears also in Matthew 24:42, where Jesus urges His disciples to stay alert. This parallel passage reinforces the same lesson: the suddenness of the Lord’s coming demands constant vigilance. Similarly, Mark 13:33 echoes this exhortation, urging believers to take heed and watch, for they do not know when the time is.

Application

Believers are called to examine their own readiness and watchfulness. This means ensuring that faith is genuine and the relationship with God is active and vibrant, not complacent or negligent. It involves pursuing holiness and obedience to God’s Word, being vigilant in prayer, and living in constant anticipation of Christ’s return. The parable warns against being caught unprepared, urging a life of faithful diligence.

Reflection

Matthew 25:13 reminds us that the exact time of Christ’s return is unknown, but the call to be ready is clear. The wise virgins’ preparation stands as a model of faithful vigilance. As we await the Bridegroom, we are to keep our lamps burning through a living, obedient relationship with God, so that when He comes, we may enter with Him into the wedding feast.