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In the parable of the "ten virgins" in Matthew 25:1-13, they fall into two groups of five:
2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
I know that the numbers in Jewish culture have special meaning. Is there any special meaning in the proportion of virgins 5 to 5?
This attempt to answer the question "Why 5:5?" falls into four parts: (1) number symbolism; (2) the Matthean context; (3) why ten?; and (4) why 5:5?
(OP) I know that the numbers in Jewish culture have special meaning.
While this is certainly true, it is difficult to see what particular symbolism the number five (or ten, for that matter) holds here in Matthew's gospel. Two convenient surveys of Jewish numerology prompt this observation:
This may not yet be the whole story (see the next section on "ten"), but there is at least no prominent symbolism in the numbers five or ten, or the 5:5 (= 1:1!) ratio. (Perhaps, though, this element of the question would get a much more informed response on Mi Yodeya.)
Every study of this parable notes that it has many curious, puzzling, even disturbing features. It is also unique to Matthew, and deeply embedded in the "eschatological discourse" of Matthew 24-25. It's certainly worth asking the "why" and "how" questions about the numbers the gospel as a whole uses. Some observations about Matthew itself, then, might help.
The major thing to note here is that Matthew has five "discourses" or blocks of teaching (roughly as follows: 1. chs. 5-7, the "Sermon on the Mount"; 2. ch. 10, the missionary discourse; 3. ch. 13, the kingdom parables; 4. ch. 18, ethical teaching; 5. chs. 23/24-25, the eschatological discourse). Matthew has five uses of the formula "when Jesus had finished saying these things", at the boundaries of these discourses. It seems, then, a very deliberate structure. And one recalls that there were five books of Moses, five books in the Psalms, five "festival scrolls" ... it is very suggestive.
Matthew also likes things in pairs: two "Gerasene demoniacs" (Mark/Luke have one); two blind men by Jericho (Mark/Luke have one); two donkeys at the "Triumphal entry" (Mark/Luke have one, but this might be reflective of a different phenomenon: see R.T. France, The Gospel of Matthew (Eerdmans, 2007), p. 339). This inclination to "pairing" shows up in other ways in Matthew, too -- but this suffices for the moment.
So there is a certain "tidiness" and rhetorical balance in Matthew's presentation overall.
Here, I only report the suggestion(s) of J. Massingberd Ford, "The Parable of the Foolish Scholars (Matt. XXV 1-13)", Novum Testamentum 9 (1967): 107-123 (+see full PDF). Ford argues that the "parable" should rather be understood as "allegory", and in pursuit of this case he draws together a rich background of Jewish texts and practice to inform his interpretation. With this in mind, on pp. 115-6 he writes:
In this parable Our Lord appears to depict, not an ordinary marriage but men who apply themselves to the study of Torah hoping to be led into the bridal chamber, the chamber of instruction.
The symbols are apt. The number of the virgins is ten. Ten is the required number to make up a quorum for the synagogue; ten for the courts of ten in Temple law (Sanh. i. 3); but, most important of all, ten for the circles of study, for example, in the Qumran community (CD. [= Damascus Document] x. 4).
So, why ten? Because it symbolizes the size of group that could gather for Torah study. Ford may be right in making these associations, but this depends to a large degree on the success of applying his whole intepretative framework to the parable/allegory.
It might also be that the pattern of "fives" and "pairs" in Matthew is sufficient to generate "ten", but it would seem somewhat arbitrary. Perhaps the narrative setting of the wedding party makes this a sensible number; while wedding customs of the time must inform our understanding (also the marriage feast of Matt 22:1-14), the ten maidens is left unremarked in treatments I have seen.
Which brings us, finally, to the question of proportions. This seems most readily explained not by number symbolism, but the structure of eschatological judgment as expressed through this discourse:
The "odd one out" here, it seems to me, is #6 where the structure (two servants v. one servant) is not the 1:1 ratio seen otherwise so consistently. But even here, the pattern of 5+5, 2+2, and the implicit expectation that 1+1 is surely within the grasp of Servant Three, yields a similar sense of balance.
The "eschatological discourse" of Matthew 24-25 culminates in a sequence of descriptions of discriminating those who are "ready" (24:44) from those who are not when the "end" comes. This "bifurcation" -- splitting of humanity into the faithful to be blessed, and the wicked to be cursed -- is recounted in a long sequence of vignettes: figures of speech, parable, allegory, from the pithy to the extended.
In this sequence the "ten maidens" story takes its place with its 1:1 split of the ten women into two groups of five, much like the other "splits" in the surrounding context. Perhaps it figures as part of a move from "set pairs" in ch. 24 (two labourers, two grinders, two servants) to larger groups that culminate in the whole of humanity. Ford's suggestion that "ten" signals a group who would gather to study Torah has some appeal, but cannot be taken in isolation from the larger case he attempts to build.
Further Reading (aside from the commentaries)
Re Q asked quote "The Parable Of The Ten Virgins - proportion 5 to 5" Marcin also asked Q quote "Is there any special meaning in proportion of 5 to 5". Answer: 10 virgins ( Christians)( See REVELATION chapter 14 verse 4 and 5,these two verses are lovely scriptures to absorb.Please Read & Study them as told in 2 TIMOTHY 2:15 "Study to ---Rev 14:4 "These are they which were not defiled with women;(symbolic please note),for they are VIRGINS .These are they which follow the Lamb (who is Jesus) the Lamb represents Jesus here,note."whithersoever he goeth.These are Christians.And note "they followed Him.And note not just followed Him but follows Him whithersoever.Can you see here the parable of the Ten Virgins here too. When the call comes.Which it will do at a future time 5 x Christians were ready to go.As were the Christans in Jerusalem in AD 66 and escaped to the mountains and escaped AD70 and death. We too as Christians need to heed the signs. 5 in "Bible Numerics " is the number for "GRACE".Noah found Grace in the eyes of the Lord. see GENESIS 6:8 "But Noah found Grace in the eyes of the LORD " And the 5 wise Christians also found Grace in the eyes of the LORD. We too living in our day need to find Grace in the eyes of our LORD. Whilst 5 missed the boat it is important that they did not lose their salvation.They were not discrimated against. No stress. They will be in God's Kingdom.No problem.And will be as they are Christians. However they missed a reward on offer.And there is scripture that says that no eye has seen nor the mind of man so to speak has conceived of the things that God has prepared for him.Now that is beautiful. NOTE GENESIS 7:5 "And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him." Q do we.? That will be my first question on this site as I am only new. It's going to come back to 2 TIMOTHY 2 :15 Study---too As a sheep (and God calls us sheep) we need to be chewing so to speak like a sheep on THE WORD.And daily. 10 = completeness of order. A wonderful loving beautiful friendly local church.Complete.See REVELATION 3:14 "And unto --church (our day) v15 I know thy works-- Note works wont'save.See EPHESIANS 2:9 "Not of works, lest any man should boast."The LORD "did not come down the last shower" Read REVELATION 3:15 -16 &-17 Here we see 5 x foolish virgins/Christians. Imagine a Church Service.Which is all good.But then Jesus comes along in the middle of the service and knocks at the door.(of our hearts) REVELATION 3:20 Behold I stand at tbe door,: if any man hear my voice , and open the door ,I will come in to him,and will sup with him ,and he with me."note to hear means to obey ,ie keep.See Rev 1:3. HE longs to come in and fellowship.HE wants fellowship GENESIS 3:8a read "And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day -"Q Do we ? And IN LIFE THERE IS ALWAYS BALANCE. Here is the 5 to 5 balance. 'One could say that life is a numbers game.'And the 10 = a nice complete Church.Number for COMPLETENESS and note here is the 5 + 5 =10 if you like . 5 = "grace " In the parable 5 found it whilst 5 originally found Grace/yes.And were saved , however the other 5 wise went on in there walk with the LORD.Paul was "pressing on " See PHILIPPIANS 3:14 "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.( hello!! What there is a "prize."How come no one told me.My Pastor didn't.My Priest didn't. My Sunday school teacher didn't. I have never heard that before.Then the LORD answers "my son did not you have a lamp unto your feet? See Matthew 25 :1 --which took their lamps --THE BIBLE see Psalm 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet ,and a light unto my path. And the "virgin /Christian says :"yes Jesus.Then Jesus says but did you have 'oil' in them? Read Matthew 25 :3 says it all. "They that were foolish took their lamps ,but took no oil with them.Now we read just now lamp = BIBLE / WORD (Read JOHN 1:1 too. when you get a moment.OIL = Is SYMBOLIC of the Holy Spirit.This pure oil also called 'virgin' or 'Golden olive oil was extracted by pressure without heat .When we are under pressure from evil, we have the presence of the Comforter.see JOHN 14:16 "And I will-- (note that it is God's will to give the Comforter)-- to help us through it .We must have the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT if we are to benefit from study of the Word. John 14116 says "And I will pray the Father ,and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever."Also v26 in JOHN and verse 17. As an encouragement let me say that The LORD won't try us to where there isn't His sufficient Grace.
And may the LORD bless the reading of this His Word to your heart.
User: 32276 ps I'm learning.
The Number 5 can also allegorically be interpreted as the 5 senses without diminishing its literal meaning (as an addition) as done say by St. Augustine and St. Gregory below:
"... Or, by the five virgins, is denoted a five-fold continence from the allurements of the flesh; for our appetite must be held from gratification of the eyes, ears, smell, taste, and touch. And as this continence may be done before God, to please Him in inward joy of the conscience, or before men only to gain applause of men, five are called wise, and five foolish. Both are virgins, because both these men exercise continence, though from different motives. ..." – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord, Venerated in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, Anglican Communion, Lutheran Church (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea)
“... For in each of the five senses of the body there is a double instrument, and the number five doubled makes ten. And because the company of the faithful is gathered out of both sexes, the Holy Church is described as being like to ten virgins, where as bad are mixed with good, and reprobate with elect, it is like a mixture of wise and foolish virgins. ...” …” – Blessed Roman Catholic Pope St. Gregory the Great, Saint Gregory the Dialogist in Eastern Christianity, the Father of Christian Worship, and Protestant Reformer Blessed John Calvin declared in his Institutes that Gregory was the last good Pope, Approved Church Father in the First Lutheran Father’s Book of Concord (540 AD – 604 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea)
Though certainty regarding particular numerical formulations is rarely in the offing, it can help heuristically to refer to other "puzzling" numerical formulations, canonical or extracanonical.
Here's one I'd suggest considering in conjunction with this from the Gospel of Thomas:
Jesus said, "Now the sower went out, took a handful (of seeds), and scattered them. Some fell on the road; the birds came and gathered them up. Others fell on the rock, did not take root in the soil, and did not produce ears. And others fell on thorns; they choked the seed(s) and worms ate them. And others fell on the good soil and it produced good fruit: it bore sixty per measure and a hundred and twenty per measure." (Saying 9)
This is not a case of Jesus simply being very poor at math. Rather, I'd suggest projecting out your personal mental timeline, and you might find a rather interesting response to the "Problem of Evil" among the possible insights.
