Matthew 22:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying,

NIV: Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:

NASB: Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying,

CSB: Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables:

NLT: Jesus also told them other parables. He said,

KJV: And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

NKJV: And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said:

Jesus begins a third parable (Matthew 21:28, 33), presented in an exchange with priests, elders, and Pharisees gathered in the temple, along with others who are near. All three parables reveal how the Jewish religious leaders have failed to obey God on behalf of the people of Israel. In addition, they show that God will welcome others into His kingdom and relationship with Him.

The first parable described two sons (Matthew 21:28–32). One said no to his father's instruction but then obeyed. The other said yes and did not obey. Jesus was clear that the one who repented and obeyed did the will of his father. The second parable described some tenants of a vineyard who refused to give to the owner his share of the crops (Matthew 21:33–44). Instead, they mistreated and killed his servants and then his son. Soon the owner would come and kill the tenants and rent the vineyard to others.

Now Jesus will compare the kingdom of heaven to king who gave a wedding feast.

Matthew 22:1–14 contains Jesus' parable of the wedding feast. Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a king who threw a banquet for his son. The king's chosen guests refuse to come, to the point of violence against his messengers. So, the king fills the wedding hall with common people he finds out and about; some bad, some good. One guest is thrown out into the darkness, though, for trying to attend the feast without wearing a wedding garment. Jesus summarizes the message with the famous phrase, "Many are called, but few are chosen." This parable touches on Israel's rejection of the Messiah and salvation by grace. This touches on very similar themes to those of the parable of the great banquet (Luke 14:12–24), but with critical differences.

Continuing a dialogue with hostile religious leaders, Jesus tells a parable comparing the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast which ends up being attended by those not initially invited. He answers trick questions about taxes, marriage, resurrection, and the Law of Moses. These responses are the source of common English idioms such as "render to Caesar…" and "many are called but few are chosen." Finally, Jesus asks how the Messiah can be both the son of David and the Lord of David. None can answer Him, so they stop challenging Him in public.

This chapter extends an exchange between Jesus and several groups of religious leaders in the temple. The previous chapter concluded with two parables about the failures of the religious leaders. This chapter begins with a third parable, about chosen guests who refuse to attend a wedding feast. Jesus then fields questions from several religious groups, who fail in their attempts to trip Him up. His wise and profound answers silence all of them. At this point, Jesus launches into a full-throated condemnation of the Pharisees in chapter 23.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 12/4/2024 3:41:26 AM