The Ten Virgins

The Ten Virgins: (Matthew 25: 1-13)

Unique to Matthew, the parable of the Ten “Bridesmaids” (NRSV; literally, “virgins”; Gk. parthenoi) continues the Gospel’s concern for women at the final judgment (cf. 24:19, 41). The women may be wedding guests or, more likely, servants waiting for the groom to return to his home. This latter interpretation draws a connection to the immediately preceding parable of the Good Servant (24:45–51) and so retains the evangelist’s interest in paralleling stories about men and women. In either case, evident is the insistence that women bear responsibility for their own salvation…