The days of Christ Jesus' career were hastening on toward the crucifixion. Having concluded the main substance of his prophetic address to his disciples on the Mount of Olives, he went on to enforce his teaching by the use of illustrations, which might be called parables of preparedness. As the leaves of the fig trees were a sure sign of approaching summer, so the strange happenings he had predicted were symbols of what was to come, and his followers must be like trustworthy doorkeepers, vigilant stewards, faithful servants (see Matt. 24:42-51; Mark 13:32-37).
In this connection the Master related the parable of the ten virgins. Whereas in previous illustrations he had stressed the need for being on guard against evil, in this instance he pointed out the importance of joyous preparation for the arrival of the kingdom of heaven. The background is the happy occasion of a Palestinian wedding procession, and simple as the story is, it includes every necessary detail. Here in yet another of the Master's exquisite parables, there is a depth of application which in no way suffers from the simplicity of the telling. The watchfulness, foresight, and providence of five of the virgin attendants is offset by inactivity, delay, and lack of preparation on the part of the five who were "foolish." When these finally obtained their needed oil, it was of no avail. At the sudden arrival of the bridegroom there was no joy for them, only disappointment (see Matt. 25:1-13).
The parable of the talents (see verses 14-30) follows immediately another parable of the kingdom, in which stress is laid on the necessity of industry as well as of alertness. The man in the story travels to "a far country," leaving in the safekeeping of servants his wealth, described as talents. A talent, originally a measure of weight, was a large sum; Goodspeed translates it as a thousand dollars.
