Matthew 22:1-14

Matthew 22:1-14

[1] And  Jesus  answered  and spake  unto them  again  by  parables,  and said,  [2] The kingdom  of heaven  is like  unto a certain  king,  which  made  a marriage  for his  son,  [3] And  sent forth  his  servants  to call  to  the wedding:  and  they would  not  come.  [4] Again,  he sent forth  other  servants,  saying,  Tell  them which are bidden,  Behold,  I have prepared  dinner:  oxen  and  my fatlings  are killed,  and  all things  are ready:  come  unto  the marriage.  [5] But  they made light of  it, and went their ways,  one  to  his  farm,  another  to  his  merchandise:  [6] And  the remnant  took  his  servants,  and entreated them spitefully,  and  slew  [7] But  when the king  thereof, he was wroth:  and  he sent forth  his  armies,  and destroyed  those  murderers,  and  burned up  their  city.  [8] Then  saith he  to his  servants,  The wedding  ready,  but  they which were bidden  not  worthy.  [9] Go ye  therefore  into  the highways,  and  as many as  ye shall find,  bid  to  the marriage.  [10] So  those  servants  went out  into  the highways,  and gathered together  all  they found,  both  bad  and  good:  and  the wedding  was furnished  with guests.  [11] And  the king  came in  to see  the guests,  there  a man  not  on  a wedding  garment:  [12] And  he saith  unto him,  Friend,  how  camest thou  in hither  not  having  a wedding  garment?  And  he was speechless.  [13] Then  said  the king  to the servants,  Bind  him  hand  and  foot,  him  and  cast  him into  outer  darkness;  there  weeping  and  gnashing  of teeth.  [14] For  many  called,  but  few  are chosen. 

What does Matthew 22:1-14 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The three parables in this series are similar to three concentric circles in their scope. The scope of the parable of the two sons encompassed Israel"s leaders ( Matthew 21:28-32). The parable of the wicked tenant farmers exposed the leaders" lack of responsibility and their guilt to the people listening in as well as to the leaders themselves ( Matthew 21:33-46). This last parable is the broadest of the three. It condemned the contempt with which Israel as a whole had treated God"s grace to her.