The Parable of the Wedding Feast
Matthew 22:1-14 NLT
Matthew 22:2
“The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son.”
It would appear that this is the 3rd and final parable used to rebuke the priests and leading elders. In the culture of that day it was customary for a king to send out two invitations for a wedding banquet. The first invitation was a general invite without date, time, or location, for it was in advance of the event and those details hadn’t been settled on yet. Scripture shows us that the initial invitation was refused by those invited. When the feast was ready the king sent other servants to take the 2nd invitation, announcing that the feast was ready and that those invited should come straight away. A 2nd time the announcement was ignored, only this time some other invitees, “seized (the king’s) messengers, insulted them and killed them”. As you can well imagine this infuriated the king who quickly sent his army out to destroy the murderers and burn their town to the ground. In that culture you simply did not refuse the king’s invitation, for it was considered an honor to be invited.
The king determined that those who had been invited were not worthy of the honor, so he sent his servants to go to the highways and byways and invite any who would come.
Another custom of the day was that the king would provide wedding garments for those invited to the feast to wear. According to the story some came wearing whatever THEY thought to be appropriate. Again, this would be an insult to the king, so because of their decision, they were cast out of the banquet.
In this parable, the king is God, the bridegroom is Jesus, those invited would be the religious leaders and leading elders, who were enemies of the Lord. Those from the highways and byways were all others, both Jew and gentile, that chose to come. The garments would be the righteousness that God provides to those who honor his invitation and those who were cast out “where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” were those who came but did not take seriously their need for righteousness. They didn’t realize there is only one way to heaven, and that way is thru the Son. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In his name & for his glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resources: Life Application Study Bible, verse footnote, pp.2062-63; IVP New Testament Commentary Series, IVP New Testament Commentaries are made available by the generosity of InterVarsity Press; Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament,
Copyright 2004.
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