King James Bible
"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept."
The bridegroom's delay represents the extended period before Christ's return, longer than initially expected by the early church. In Jewish wedding customs, the bridegroom's arrival time was unpredictable, requiring constant readiness from the wedding party. Both wise and foolish virgins succumb to drowsiness, indicating that physical alertness is not the distinguishing factor between preparedness and unpreparedness. The universal nature of their sleep suggests the normalcy of life continuing while awaiting the Lord's return, emphasizing that readiness is about spiritual preparation rather than constant watchfulness.