Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Matthew » Chapter 22 » Verse 1-46

Matthew 22:1-46 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And G2532 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and spake G2036 unto them G846 again G3825 by G1722 parables, G3850 and said, G3004

2 The kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 is like G3666 unto a certain G444 king, G935 which G3748 made G4160 a marriage G1062 for his G846 son, G5207

3 And G2532 sent forth G649 his G846 servants G1401 to call G2564 them that were bidden G2564 to G1519 the wedding: G1062 and G2532 they would G2309 not G3756 come. G2064

4 Again, G3825 he sent forth G649 other G243 servants, G1401 saying, G3004 Tell G2036 them which are bidden, G2564 Behold, G2400 I have prepared G2090 my G3450 dinner: G712 my G3450 oxen G5022 and G2532 my fatlings G4619 are killed, G2380 and G2532 all things G3956 are ready: G2092 come G1205 unto G1519 the marriage. G1062

5 But G1161 they made light of G272 it, and went their ways, G565 one G3303 to G1519 his G2398 farm, G68 another G1161 to G1519 his G846 merchandise: G1711

6 And G1161 the remnant G3062 took G2902 his G846 servants, G1401 and entreated them spitefully, G5195 and G2532 slew G615 them.

7 But G1161 when the king G935 heard G191 thereof, he was wroth: G3710 and G2532 he sent forth G3992 his G846 armies, G4753 and destroyed G622 those G1565 murderers, G5406 and G2532 burned up G1714 their G846 city. G4172

8 Then G5119 saith he G3004 to his G846 servants, G1401 G3303 The wedding G1062 is G2076 ready, G2092 but G1161 they which were bidden G2564 were G2258 not G3756 worthy. G514

9 Go ye G4198 therefore G3767 into G1909 the highways, G1327 G3598 and G2532 as many as G3745 G302 ye shall find, G2147 bid G2564 to G1519 the marriage. G1062

10 So G2532 those G1565 servants G1401 went out G1831 into G1519 the highways, G3598 and gathered together G4863 all G3956 as many as G3745 they found, G2147 both G5037 bad G4190 and G2532 good: G18 and G2532 the wedding G1062 was furnished G4130 with guests. G345

11 And G1161 when G1525 the king G935 came in G1525 to see G2300 the guests, G345 he saw G1492 there G1563 a man G444 which had G1746 not G3756 on G1746 a wedding G1062 garment: G1742

12 And G2532 he saith G3004 unto him, G846 Friend, G2083 how G4459 camest thou G1525 in hither G5602 not G3361 having G2192 a wedding G1062 garment? G1742 And G1161 he was speechless. G5392

13 Then G5119 said G2036 the king G935 to the servants, G1249 Bind G1210 him G846 hand G5495 and G2532 foot, G4228 and take G142 him G846 away, G142 and G2532 cast G1544 him into G1519 outer G1857 darkness; G4655 there G1563 shall be G2071 weeping G2805 and G2532 gnashing G1030 of teeth. G3599

14 For G1063 many G4183 are G1526 called, G2822 but G1161 few G3641 are chosen. G1588

15 Then G5119 went G4198 the Pharisees, G5330 and took G2983 counsel G4824 how G3704 they might entangle G3802 him G846 in G1722 his talk. G3056

16 And G2532 they sent out G649 unto him G846 their G846 disciples G3101 with G3326 the Herodians, G2265 saying, G3004 Master, G1320 we know G1492 that G3754 thou art G1488 true, G227 and G2532 teachest G1321 the way G3598 of God G2316 in G1722 truth, G225 G2532 neither G3756 carest G3199 thou G4671 for G4012 any G3762 man: for G1063 thou regardest G991 not G1519 G3756 the person G4383 of men. G444

17 Tell G2036 us G2254 therefore, G3767 What G5101 thinkest G1380 thou? G4671 Is it lawful G1832 to give G1325 tribute G2778 unto Caesar, G2541 or G2228 not? G3756

18 But G1161 Jesus G2424 perceived G1097 their G846 wickedness, G4189 and said, G2036 Why G5101 tempt ye G3985 me, G3165 ye hypocrites? G5273

19 Shew G1925 me G3427 the tribute G2778 money. G3546 And G1161 they brought G4374 unto him G846 a penny. G1220

20 And G2532 he saith G3004 unto them, G846 Whose G5101 is this G3778 image G1504 and G2532 superscription? G1923

21 They say G3004 unto him, G846 Caesar's. G2541 Then G5119 saith he G3004 unto them, G846 Render G591 therefore G3767 unto Caesar G2541 the things which are G3588 Caesar's; G2541 and G2532 unto God G2316 the things that are G3588 God's. G2316

22 When G2532 they had heard G191 these words, they marvelled, G2296 and G2532 left G863 him, G846 and went their way. G565

23 The same G1722 G1565 day G2250 came G4334 to him G846 the Sadducees, G4523 which G3588 say G3004 that there is G1511 no G3361 resurrection, G386 and G2532 asked G1905 him, G846

24 Saying, G3004 Master, G1320 Moses G3475 said, G2036 If G1437 a man G5100 die, G599 having G2192 no G3361 children, G5043 his G846 brother G80 shall marry G1918 his G846 wife, G1135 and G2532 raise up G450 seed G4690 unto his G846 brother. G80

25 Now G1161 there were G2258 with G3844 us G2254 seven G2033 brethren: G80 and G2532 the first, G4413 when he had married a wife, G1060 deceased, G5053 and, G2532 having G2192 no G3361 issue, G4690 left G863 his G846 wife G1135 unto his G846 brother: G80

26 Likewise G3668 the second G1208 also, G2532 and G2532 the third, G5154 unto G2193 the seventh. G2033

27 And G1161 last G5305 of all G3956 the woman G1135 died G599 also. G2532

28 Therefore G3767 in G1722 the resurrection G386 whose G5101 wife G1135 shall she be G2071 of the seven? G2033 for G1063 they all G3956 had G2192 her. G846

29 Jesus G2424 answered G611 and G1161 said G2036 unto them, G846 Ye do err, G4105 not G3361 knowing G1492 the scriptures, G1124 nor G3366 the power G1411 of God. G2316

30 For G1063 in G1722 the resurrection G386 they neither G3777 marry, G1060 nor G3777 are given in marriage, G1547 but G235 are G1526 as G5613 the angels G32 of God G2316 in G1722 heaven. G3772

31 But G1161 as touching G4012 the resurrection G386 of the dead, G3498 have ye G314 not G3756 read G314 that which G3588 was spoken G4483 unto you G5213 by G5259 God, G2316 saying, G3004

32 I G1473 am G1510 the God G2316 of Abraham, G11 and G2532 the God G2316 of Isaac, G2464 and G2532 the God G2316 of Jacob? G2384 God G2316 is G2076 not G3756 the God G2316 of the dead, G3498 but G235 of the living. G2198

33 And G2532 when the multitude G3793 heard G191 this, they were astonished G1605 at G1909 his G846 doctrine. G1322

34 But G1161 when the Pharisees G5330 had heard G191 that G3754 he had put G5392 the Sadducees G4523 to silence, G5392 they were gathered together. G4863 G1909 G846

35 Then G2532 one G1520 of G1537 them, G846 which was a lawyer, G3544 asked G1905 him a question, tempting G3985 him, G846 and G2532 saying, G3004

36 Master, G1320 which G4169 is the great G3173 commandment G1785 in G1722 the law? G3551

37 G1161 Jesus G2424 said G2036 unto him, G846 Thou shalt love G25 the Lord G2962 thy G4675 God G2316 with G1722 all G3650 thy G4675 heart, G2588 and G2532 with G1722 all G3650 thy G4675 soul, G5590 and G2532 with G1722 all G3650 thy G4675 mind. G1271

38 This G3778 is G2076 the first G4413 and G2532 great G3173 commandment. G1785

39 And G1161 the second G1208 is like G3664 unto it, G846 G3778 Thou shalt love G25 thy G4675 neighbour G4139 as G5613 thyself. G4572

40 On G1722 these G5025 two G1417 commandments G1785 hang G2910 all G3650 the law G3551 and G2532 the prophets. G4396

41 While G1161 the Pharisees G5330 were gathered together, G4863 Jesus G2424 asked G1905 them, G846

42 Saying, G3004 What G5101 think G1380 ye G5213 of G4012 Christ? G5547 whose G5101 son G5207 is he? G2076 They say G3004 unto him, G846 The Son of David. G1138

43 He saith G3004 unto them, G846 How G4459 then G3767 doth David G1138 in G1722 spirit G4151 call G2564 him G846 Lord, G2962 saying, G3004

44 The LORD G2962 said G2036 unto my G3450 Lord, G2962 Sit thou G2521 on G1537 my G3450 right hand, G1188 till G2193 G302 I make G5087 thine G4675 enemies G2190 thy G4675 footstool? G5286 G4228

45 If G1487 David G1138 then G3767 call G2564 him G846 Lord, G2962 how G4459 is he G2076 his G846 son? G5207

46 And G2532 no man G3762 was able G1410 to answer G611 him G846 a word, G3056 neither G3761 durst G5111 any G5100 man from G575 that G1565 day G2250 forth ask G1905 him G846 any more G3765 questions.

Commentary on Matthew 22 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 22

Mt 22:1-14. Parable of the Marriage of the King's Son.

This is a different parable from that of the Great Supper, in Lu 14:15, &c., and is recorded by Matthew alone.

2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son—"In this parable," as Trench admirably remarks, "we see how the Lord is revealing Himself in ever clearer light as the central Person of the kingdom, giving here a far plainer hint than in the last parable of the nobility of His descent. There He was indeed the Son, the only and beloved one (Mr 12:6), of the Householder; but here His race is royal, and He appears as Himself at once the King and the King's Son (Ps 72:1). The last was a parable of the Old Testament history; and Christ is rather the last and greatest of the line of its prophets and teachers than the founder of a new kingdom. In that, God appears demanding something from men; in this, a parable of grace, God appears more as giving something to them. Thus, as often, the two complete each other: this taking up the matter where the other left it." The "marriage" of Jehovah to His people Israel was familiar to Jewish ears; and in Ps 45:1-17 this marriage is seen consummated in the Person of Messiah "THE King," Himself addressed as "God" and yet as anointed by "His God" with the oil of gladness above His fellows. These apparent contradictions (see on Lu 20:41-44) are resolved in this parable; and Jesus, in claiming to be this King's Son, serves Himself Heir to all that the prophets and sweet singers of Israel held forth as to Jehovah's ineffably near and endearing union to His people. But observe carefully, that THE Bride does not come into view in this parable; its design being to teach certain truths under the figure of guests at a wedding feast, and the want of a wedding garment, which would not have harmonized with the introduction of the Bride.

3. and sent forth his servants—representing all preachers of the Gospel.

to call them that were bidden—here meaning the Jews, who were "bidden," from the first choice of them onwards through every summons addressed to them by the prophets to hold themselves in readiness for the appearing of their King.

to the wedding—or the marriage festivities, when the preparations were all concluded.

and they would not come—as the issue of the whole ministry of the Baptist, our Lord Himself, and His apostles thereafter, too sadly showed.

4. my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready; come unto the marriage—This points to those Gospel calls after Christ's death, resurrection, ascension, and effusion of the Spirit, to which the parable could not directly allude, but when only it could be said, with strict propriety, "that all things were ready." Compare 1Co 5:7, 8, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; therefore, let us keep the feast"; also Joh 6:51, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread which I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."

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—insulted them.

and slew them—These are two different classes of unbelievers: the one simply indifferent; the other absolutely hostile—the one, contemptuous scorners; the other, bitter persecutors.

7. But when the king—the Great God, who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

heard thereof, he was wroth—at the affront put both on His Son, and on Himself who had deigned to invite them.

and he sent forth his armies—The Romans are here styled God's armies, just as the Assyrian is styled "the rod of His anger" (Isa 10:5), as being the executors of His judicial vengeance.

and destroyed those murderers—and in what vast numbers did they do it!

and burned up their city—Ah! Jerusalem, once "the city of the Great King" (Ps 48:2), and even up almost to this time (Mt 5:35); but now it is "their city"—just as our Lord, a day or two after this, said of the temple, where God had so long dwelt, "Behold your house is left unto you desolate" (Mt 23:38)! Compare Lu 19:43, 44.

8. The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy—for how should those be deemed worthy to sit down at His table who had affronted Him by their treatment of His gracious invitation?

9. Go ye therefore into the highways—the great outlets and thoroughfares, whether of town or country, where human beings are to be found.

and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage—that is, just as they are.

10. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good—that is, without making any distinction between open sinners and the morally correct. The Gospel call fetched in Jews, Samaritans, and outlying heathen alike. Thus far the parable answers to that of "the Great Supper" (Lu 14:16, &c.). But the distinguishing feature of our parable is what follows:

11. And when the king came in to see the guests—Solemn expression this, of that omniscient inspection of every professed disciple of the Lord Jesus from age to age, in virtue of which his true character will hereafter be judicially proclaimed!

he saw there a man—This shows that it is the judgment of individuals which is intended in this latter part of the parable: the first part represents rather national judgment.

which had not on a wedding garment—The language here is drawn from the following remarkable passage in Zep 1:7, 8:—"Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God; for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, He hath bid His guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lord's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel." The custom in the East of presenting festival garments (see Ge 45:22; 2Ki 5:22), even though nor clearly proved, Is certainly presupposed here. It undoubtedly means something which they bring not of their own—for how could they have any such dress who were gathered in from the highways indiscriminately?—but which they receive as their appropriate dress. And what can that be but what is meant by "putting on the Lord Jesus," as "The Lord Our Righteousness?" (See Ps 45:13, 14). Nor could such language be strange to those in whose ears had so long resounded those words of prophetic joy: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels" (Isa 61:10).

12. Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless—being self-condemned.

13. Then said the king to the servants—the angelic ministers of divine vengeance (as in Mt 13:41).

Bind him hand and foot—putting it out of his power to resist.

and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness—So Mt 8:12; 25:30. The expression is emphatic—"the darkness which is outside." To be "outside" at all—or, in the language of Re 22:15, to be "without" the heavenly city, excluded from its joyous nuptials and gladsome festivities—is sad enough of itself, without anything else. But to find themselves not only excluded from the brightness and glory and joy and felicity of the kingdom above, but thrust into a region of "darkness," with all its horrors, this is the dismal retribution here announced, that awaits the unworthy at the great day.

there—in that region and condition.

shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. See on Mt 13:42.

14. For many are called, but few are chosen—So Mt 19:30. See on Mt 20:16.

Mt 22:15-40. Entangling Questions about Tribute, the Resurrection, and the Great Commandment, with the Replies. ( = Mr 12:13-34; Lu 20:20-40).

For the exposition, see on Mr 12:13-34.

Mt 22:41-46. Christ Baffles the Pharisees by a Question about David and Messiah. ( = Mr 12:35-37; Lu 20:41-44).

For the exposition, see on Mr 12:35-37.