Jesus
answered and spoke again in parables to them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast, but they would not come. Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage feast!”’ But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise, and the rest grabbed his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them. When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Matthew 22:1-7
Matthew 21 [45.] When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them. When they sought to seize him, they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.
Matthew 22 [1.] Jesus answered and spoke again in parables to them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast, but they would not come. Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage feast!”’ But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise, and the rest grabbed his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them. When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
Matthew 22 [8.] “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t worthy. Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the marriage feast.’ Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness; there is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’ For many are called, but few chosen.”
Meaning:
Jesus was teaching in the temple in the last week before his crucifixion. The chief priests and the Pharisees had just understood that his parables were spoken about them (Matthew 21:45). Instead of softening his message, Jesus “spoke again in parables.” This parable of the marriage feast follows the parables of the two sons and of the wicked farmers (Matthew 21:28-41), and it continues the same theme: God’s invitation was refused by those who should have welcomed it first. Luke records a similar story of a great supper (Luke 14:16-24).
- “a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son”
The king is God, and the son is Jesus himself. A royal wedding was the greatest celebration in the ancient world, a feast that could last for days. The prophets used the picture of a feast for the joy of God’s coming Kingdom: “Yahweh of Armies will make all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of choice wines” (Isaiah 25:6). Jesus had already called himself the bridegroom (Matthew 9:15). The Kingdom of Heaven is not a burden but a joyful celebration in honor of the Son.
- “sent out his servants to call those who were invited”
In that culture guests were invited in advance and then, when everything was ready, called a second time. Those “invited” were the people of Israel, who had received God’s promises through Moses and the prophets. The first servants are the prophets and John the Baptist; the “other servants” sent with the message “all things are ready” point to Jesus’ disciples and later the apostles, who announced that the feast was now prepared through Christ.
- “But they made light of it, and went their ways”
Some guests were not hostile, only indifferent. One went “to his own farm, another to his merchandise.” Ordinary work is not wrong, but here it became more important than the king’s invitation. Luke’s account lists similar excuses: “I have bought a field, and I must go and see it” (Luke 14:18). Others went further and “treated them shamefully, and killed them.” This had happened before in Israel’s history: “they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until Yahweh’s wrath arose against his people” (2 Chronicles 36:16).
- “sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city”
The king’s anger is just; refusing his son is an insult to the king himself. Jesus was warning of the judgment that would fall on Jerusalem. About forty years later, in AD 70, Roman armies destroyed the city and burned the temple, as Jesus foretold: “there will not be left here one stone on another” (Matthew 24:2).
The Significance of Matthew 22:1-7
- God’s generous invitation
The feast is prepared by the king at his own cost. Salvation is a gift; people are called to come, not to pay. “Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat!” (Isaiah 55:1).
- The danger of indifference
Most people do not reject God with violence, but simply “made light of it” because their business, property or plans seem more urgent. The parable asks every reader whether anything is keeping them from God’s call.
- God’s patience and judgment
The king sent servants again and again before he acted. “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9). Yet patience has an end, and those who refuse to the last bring judgment on themselves.
Cross-References:
Revelation 19:9: “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” The feast fulfilled at the end of the age.
Isaiah 25:6: “a feast of fat things, a feast of choice wines.” The prophetic picture of the Kingdom banquet.
2 Chronicles 36:15: “sent to them by his messengers, rising up early and sending.” God’s repeated calls to Israel.
Acts 13:46: “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first.” The invitation going on to the Gentiles.
Conclusion: In the parable of the marriage feast Jesus showed that God has prepared a joyful celebration in honor of his Son and has invited people to share it. Many who were invited first ignored the call or mistreated the messengers, and the king’s judgment fell on them. The invitation still stands, and the right response is to come gladly, not to make light of it.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible