What does Matthew 25:13 mean?

Jesus drives home the point of His parable about the ten young, unmarried women, waiting for the bridegroom during a wedding celebration. Those who follow Christ should watch for His return. He says again that they will have no way to accurately predict the moment when He will come back (Matthew 24:36). The fact that Jesus makes this same point repeatedly shows its importance. Rather than becoming complacent or lazy, He wants His followers to live in state of constant readiness. He does not want any of His people to live for themselves and merely hope for the best when He gets here.

Taking His teaching together within the context of the New Testament, being prepared for Christ's return begins with putting our hope in Christ's return. The only way to be approved of by the judge and welcomed into the kingdom of heaven is through faith in Christ Himself (John 3:36). Those who trust Him accept the gift of His death for the forgiveness of their sin and His righteousness for their approval before the Father (John 3:16–18).

Those who are trusting Jesus will be at work as they wait for His return, making the most of what He has given to them. They do the work He has given them to do. That's the point of the following parable (Matthew 25:14).