Parable of the Ten Virgins 十個童女寓言

瑪竇福音:Chapter 25 Next



1「那時，天國好比十個童女，拿著自己的燈，出去迎接新郎。
2她們中五個是糊塗的，五個是明智的。
3糊塗的拿了燈，卻沒有隨身帶油；
4而明智的拿了燈，並且在壺裡帶了油。
5因為新郎遲延，她們都打盹睡著了。
6半夜有人喊說：新郎來了，你們出來迎接罷！
7那些童女遂都起來，裝備她們的燈。
8糊塗的對明智的說：把你們的油，分些給我們罷！因為我們的燈快要滅了！
9明智的答說：怕為我們和你們都不夠，更好你們到賣油的那裡去，為自己買罷！
10她們去買的時候，新郎到了；那準備好了的，就同他進去，共赴婚宴；門遂關上了。
11末後，其餘的童女也來了，說：主啊！主啊！給我們開門罷！
12他卻答說：我實在告訴你們：我不認識你們。
13所以，你們該醒寤，因為你們不知道那日子，也不知道那時辰。」

MWW Artwork of the Day (7/22/20)

Late Medieval Germany (14th-15th c.)

Detail: Parable of the Ten Virgins (15th c.)

Stone sculptures

Erfurter Dom, Erfurt (Germany)

The Parable of the Ten Virgins, also known as the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, was one of the most popular parables in the Middle Ages, with enormous influence on Gothic art, sculpture and the architecture of German and French cathedrals.

The parable appears in only one of the Canonical gospels of the New Testament. According to the Gospel of Matthew 25:1-13, the five virgins who are prepared for the bridegroom's arrival are rewarded, while the five who are not prepared are disowned. The parable has a clear eschatological theme: be prepared for the Day of Judgment.

Here's the relevant passage: "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, "Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!" Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out." But the wise answered, saying, "What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves." While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us." But he answered, "Most certainly I tell you, I don't know you." Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

For more Medieval sculpture, visit this MWW Special Collection:

* Ancient/Medieval Art Gallery