19. The ten virgins in the Gospel of Matthew
In the Gospel of Matthew a parable spoken by Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins on their wedding night. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom”. Five of the virgins failed to put oil into their lamps before being called by the bridegroom, and asked the other five to share their oil with them. They were refused, and left to buy oil for their lamps. While they were gone the bridegroom arrived, “and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut”.
The other five virgins returned, presumably having oiled their lamps (the parable does not say whether they obtained oil before returning) but the bridegroom, ensconced with the five virgins in his chambers, refused to let them join in the “marriage” saying to the entreating women, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not”. The use of a marriage of ten women and one man in a parable is presented without editorial comment in Matthew, which indicates that polygamy even in the days of Christ was common enough to be presented without it being considered unusual or immoral.
