Translators have handled As in a variety of ways. Some, for example Good News Translation, show the relationship between the two parts of the verse by stating that the bridegroom was delayed, and then having “so” or “as a result.” Others will begin the verse with “When” or “Since.”

Was delayed translates the same verb discussed in 24.48. This then provides the second linguistic link with the preceding parable, which also employs the adjective “wise” in the mention of the “wise servant” (24.45). In this verse translators may have “was late in arriving,” “did not come for a long time,” or “did not come when they expected him.”

They all includes only “the girls” (Good News Translation) rather than all the guests at the wedding.

Slumbered and slept is more accurately “grew drowsy and fell asleep” (Moffatt, An American Translation, New Jerusalem Bible) or “dozed off to sleep” (New English Bible), with the first verb probably implying near sleep (though it may also mean sleep), and the second indicating actual sleep.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .