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 them that were bidden 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 my dinner: my 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 [them].
7 But when the king heard [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 is ready, but they which were bidden were 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 as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had 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, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few [are] chosen.
15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in [his] talk.
16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any [man]: for thou regardest not the person of men.
17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, [ye] hypocrites?
19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20 And he saith unto them, Whose [is] this image and superscription?
21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
22 When they had heard [these words], they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25 Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27 And last of all the woman died also.
28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
33 And when the multitude heard [this], they were astonished at his doctrine.
34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
35 Then one of them, [which was] a lawyer, asked [him a question], tempting him, and saying,
36 Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law?
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, [The Son] of David.
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any [man] from that day forth ask him any more [questions].
Overview of Matthew Chapter 22
Matthew Chapter 22 presents a series of parables and teachings from Jesus that address themes of the Kingdom of Heaven, the nature of God, and the importance of love and righteousness. This chapter is significant as it showcases Jesus’ responses to challenges from religious leaders and emphasizes the inclusive nature of God’s invitation to salvation.
Parable of the Wedding Feast (Verses 1-14)
This parable illustrates the rejection of God’s invitation by the Jewish leaders and the subsequent inclusion of the Gentiles in the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Invitation to the Feast: The king represents God, who invites guests (the people of Israel) to a wedding feast for His son (Jesus).
- Rejection of the Invitation: The invited guests refuse to come, representing the Jewish leaders who reject Jesus.
- Call to Others: The king sends servants to invite anyone they find, symbolizing the outreach to Gentiles and sinners.
- The Unprepared Guest: A guest without wedding clothes is cast out, illustrating the necessity of being prepared and righteous to enter the Kingdom.
Question about Paying Taxes to Caesar (Verses 15-22)
In this passage, the Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to the Roman authorities.
- Trap Set by the Pharisees: They ask whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, hoping to catch Jesus in a political dilemma.
- Jesus’ Response: He asks for a coin and points out Caesar’s image, stating, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
- Implication: Jesus emphasizes the importance of fulfilling civic duties while prioritizing one’s obligations to God.
Question about the Resurrection (Verses 23-33)
The Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection, pose a hypothetical question to Jesus about marriage in the afterlife.
- Hypothetical Scenario: They present a case of a woman who marries seven brothers, each dying without leaving children.
- Jesus’ Answer: He explains that in the resurrection, people neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven.
- Affirmation of the Resurrection: Jesus cites God’s declaration, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” affirming that God is the God of the living, not the dead.
Greatest Commandment (Verses 34-40)
In this section, a lawyer asks Jesus which commandment is the greatest, seeking to test Him.
- Jesus’ Response: He cites Deuteronomy 6:5, commanding to love the Lord with all one’s heart, soul, and mind.
- Second Commandment: Jesus adds that the second commandment is to love one’s neighbor as oneself, summarizing the law and the prophets.
- Significance: This teaching emphasizes that love is the foundation of all commandments and the essence of God’s law.
Jesus Questions the Pharisees (Verses 41-46)
In the final section of the chapter, Jesus poses a question to the Pharisees about the Messiah’s identity.
- Question about the Messiah: Jesus asks whose son the Messiah is, and they respond that He is the son of David.
- David’s Declaration: Jesus cites Psalm 110:1, where David refers to the Messiah as “Lord,” indicating that the Messiah is greater than David.
- Conclusion: The Pharisees are unable to answer, highlighting their misunderstanding of the nature of the Messiah and affirming Jesus’ authority.
Thematic Analysis
- Inclusivity of the Kingdom: The parable of the wedding feast emphasizes that God’s invitation to salvation extends beyond the Jewish people to all of humanity.
- Dual Responsibility: The question about taxes illustrates the balance between civic duty and spiritual obligation, encouraging believers to honor both realms.
- Resurrection and Eternal Life: Jesus affirms the reality of the resurrection, providing hope and assurance of life after death for believers.
- Love as the Foundation: The greatest commandment underscores the centrality of love in the Christian faith, shaping moral and ethical behavior.
- Authority of Jesus: The chapter concludes with a demonstration of Jesus’ authority over scriptural interpretation, challenging the religious leaders’ understanding.
Conclusion
Matthew Chapter 22 serves as a critical reflection on the nature of God’s Kingdom, the importance of love, and the authority of Jesus. Through parables and teachings, it addresses the challenges posed by religious leaders while inviting all to partake in the grace and righteousness of God.
