>That sums up pretty much the majority of the mainstream understanding of this passage.
>But what I would be missing is a real analytical exploration of this this passage, and the
>real meaning in its closer and wider context.

The reason Jesus spoke in parables was to give the multiple levels of understanding. For those seeking the truth, the true meaning will be revealed.


>For one thing, you've got to identify all of the persons that are in this text, and most people
>are suprised that there is something else they were not aware of. For instance we have
>those different actors:
>1) The Virgin
>2) The Bridegroom.
>
>Then we have:
>3) A marriage.
>
>There is one person missing in this list, and although this person is not directly mentioned
>in the text, it is as important as the other actors in the context. Who is it?

Who is missing? You must remember the nature of the Bridegroom here.