Matthew22
New International Version
1Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:
2“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.
3He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
4“Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’
5“But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business.
6The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them.
7The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.
8“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.
9So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’
10So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.
12He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.
13“Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
14“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
15Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.
16They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.
17Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
18But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?
19Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius,
20and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
21“Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
22When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
23That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.
24“Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him.
25Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother.
26The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh.
27Finally, the woman died.
28Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”
29Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
30At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
31But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you,
32‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”
33When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.
35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
38This is the first and greatest commandment.
39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42“What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied.
43He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,
44“‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’
45If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”
46No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 22.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The parable of the marriage feast. (1–14). The Pharisees question Jesus as to the tribute. (15–22). The question of the Sadducees as to the resurrection. (23–33). The substance of the commandments. (34–40). Jesus questions the Pharisees. (41–46).
vv1-14
The provision made for perishing souls in the gospel, is represented by a royal feast made by a king, with eastern liberality, on the marriage of his son. Our merciful God has not only provided food, but a royal feast, for the perishing souls of his rebellious creatures. There is enough and to spare, of every thing that can add to our present comfort and everlasting happiness, in the salvation of his Son Jesus Christ. The guests first invited were the Jews. When the prophets of the Old Testament prevailed not, nor John the Baptist, nor Christ himself, who told them the kingdom of God was at hand, the apostles and ministers of the gospel were sent, after Christ's resurrection, to tell them it was come, and to persuade them to accept the offer. The reason why sinners come not to Christ and salvation by him, is, not because they cannot, but because they will not. Making light of Christ, and of the great salvation wrought out by him, is the damning sin of the world. They were careless. Multitudes perish for ever through mere carelessness, who show no direct aversion, but are careless as to their souls. Also the business and profit of worldly employments hinder many in closing with the Saviour. Both farmers and merchants must be diligent; but whatever we have of the world in our hands, our care must be to keep it out of our hearts, lest it come between us and Christ. The utter ruin coming upon the Jewish church and nation, is here represented. Persecution of Christ's faithful ministers fills up the measure of guilt of any people. The offer of Christ and salvation to the Gentiles was not expected; it was such a surprise as it would be to wayfaring men, to be invited to a royal wedding-feast. The design of the gospel is to gather souls to Christ; all the children of God scattered abroad, Joh 10:16; 11:52. The case of hypocrites is represented by the guest that had not on a wedding-garment. It concerns all to prepare for the scrutiny; and those, and those only, who put on the Lord Jesus, who have a Christian temper of mind, who live by faith in Christ, and to whom he is all in all, have the wedding-garment. The imputed righteousness of Christ, and the sanctification of the Spirit, are both alike necessary. No man has the wedding-garment by nature, or can form it for himself. The day is coming, when hypocrites will be called to account for all their presumptuous intruding into gospel ordinances, and usurpation of gospel privileges. Take him away. Those that walk unworthy of Christianity, forfeit all the happiness they presumptuously claimed. Our Saviour here passes out of the parable into that which it teaches. Hypocrites go by the light of the gospel itself down to utter darkness. Many are called to the wedding-feast, that is, to salvation, but few have the wedding-garment, the righteousness of Christ, the sanctification of the Spirit. Then let us examine ourselves whether we are in the faith, and seek to be approved by the King.
vv15-22
The Pharisees sent their disciples with the Herodians, a party among the Jews, who were for full subjection to the Roman emperor. Though opposed to each other, they joined against Christ. What they said of Christ was right; whether they knew it or not, blessed be God we know it. Jesus Christ was a faithful Teacher, and a bold reprover. Christ saw their wickedness. Whatever mask the hypocrite puts on, our Lord Jesus sees through it. Christ did not interpose as a judge in matters of this nature, for his kingdom is not of this world, but he enjoins peaceable subjection to the powers that be. His adversaries were reproved, and his disciples were taught that the Christian religion is no enemy to civil government. Christ is, and will be, the wonder, not only of his friends, but of his enemies. They admire his wisdom, but will not be guided by it; his power, but will not submit to it.
vv23-33
The doctrines of Christ displeased the infidel Sadducees, as well as the Pharisees and Herodians. He carried the great truths of the resurrection and a future state, further than they had yet been reveled. There is no arguing from the state of things in this world, as to what will take place hereafter. Let truth be set in a clear light, and it appears in full strength. Having thus silenced them, our Lord proceeded to show the truth of the doctrine of the resurrection from the books of Moses. God declared to Moses that he was the God of the patriarchs, who had died long before; this shows that they were then in a state of being, capable of enjoying his favour, and proves that the doctrine of the resurrection is clearly taught in the Old Testament as well as in the New. But this doctrine was kept for a more full revelation, after the resurrection of Christ, who was the first-fruits of them that slept. All errors arise from not knowing the Scriptures and the power of God. In this world death takes away one after another, and so ends all earthly hopes, joys, sorrows, and connexions. How wretched are those who look for nothing better beyond the grave!
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πάλιν (pálin): (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
παραβολή (parabolḗ): a similitude ("parable"), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage
λέγω (légō): properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 (ἔπω) and G5346 (φημί) generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 (ῥέω) is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 (λαλέω) means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
βασιλεία (basileía): properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
οὐρανός (ouranós): the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity)
ὁμοιόω (homoióō): to assimilate, i.e. compare; passively, to become similar
Cross References
Matthew 22Jesus quotes this formula to prove the continuing existence and future resurrection of the patriarchs.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Quoted by Jesus as the first and great commandment, representing the sum of the first table.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Quoted by Jesus as the second great commandment, which encapsulates the entire second table.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Directly quoted by Jesus to challenge the Pharisees regarding the divine-human nature of the Messiah.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The parallel account of the Pharisees and Herodians attempting to entrap Jesus with the tribute question.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The parallel account of the Sadducees questioning Jesus on the resurrection and levirate marriage.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The parallel account of Jesus asking how the Messiah can be both David's son and David's Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Old Testament messianic prophecy of a rich feast prepared by the Lord for all peoples.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the imagery of the ultimate wedding feast of the Lamb and His prepared Bride.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul echoes Jesus' command to render dues, taxes, and honor to civil authorities.
Supported by Matthew Henry
A highly similar parable of a great banquet, illustrating Israel's rejection and Gentiles' inclusion.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects to the previous parable, where servants sent to the husbandmen are beaten and killed.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Illuminates the 'wedding garment' as putting on the new man, created in true righteousness.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Equates the wedding garment with 'putting on Christ' through faith and baptism.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Explains why the guest was 'speechless'; under God's judgment, every mouth is stopped.
Supported by Matthew Poole