King James Bible
"And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him."
The timing emphasizes maximum unpreparedness—midnight being the darkest hour when wedding guests would least expect the bridegroom's arrival. The sudden cry breaks through sleep and complacency, reflecting how Christ's return will interrupt normal life without warning. The announcement identifies the long-awaited arrival of the bridegroom, representing Christ in this parable. In Jewish wedding customs, the groom's arrival time was intentionally uncertain, requiring constant readiness from the wedding party. The urgent command demands immediate action—the virgins must leave their waiting position and actively go forth. This mirrors the believer's call to meet Christ at His coming, emphasizing that readiness must translate into responsive action when the moment arrives.