Matthew — Chapter 22
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1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4Again, 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.
5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10So 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.
11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13Then 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.
14For many are called, but few are chosen.
15Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16And 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.
17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21They 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.
22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
23The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
24Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25Now 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:
26Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27And last of all the woman died also.
28Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
29Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32I 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.
33And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
34But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
35Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38This is the first and great commandment.
39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
43He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
1And Jesus answered and spake again in parables unto them, saying,
2The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son,
3and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the marriage feast: and they would not come.
4Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them that are bidden, Behold, I have made ready my dinner; my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come to the marriage feast.
5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise;
6and the rest laid hold on his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them.
7But the king was wroth; and he sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they that were bidden were not worthy.
9Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage feast.
10And those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was filled with guests.
11But when the king came in to behold the guests, he saw there a man who had not on a wedding-garment:
12and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless.
13Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him out into the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
14For many are called, but few chosen.
15Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in [his] talk.
16And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, and carest not for any one: for thou regardest not the person of men.
17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why make ye trial of me, ye hypocrites?
19Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a denarius.
20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21They say unto him, Caesar`s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar`s; and unto God the things that are God`s.
22And when they heard it, they marvelled, and left him, and went away.
23On that day there came to him Sadducees, they that say that there is no resurrection: and they asked him,
24saying, Teacher, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
25Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first married and deceased, and having no seed left his wife unto his brother;
26in like manner the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
27And after them all, the woman died.
28In the resurrection therefore whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
29But Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven.
31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
32I 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.
33And when the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
34But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, gathered themselves together.
35And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, trying him:
36Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?
37And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38This is the great and first commandment.
39And a second like [unto it] is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
40On these two commandments the whole law hangeth, and the prophets.
41Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,
42saying, What think ye of the Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, [The son] of David.
43He saith unto them, How then doth David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,
44The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I put thine enemies underneath thy feet?
45If David then calleth him Lord, how is he his son?
46And no one was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
1Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying:
2“The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.
3He sent his slaves to summon those who had been invited to the banquet, but they would not come.
4Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look! The feast I have prepared for you is ready. My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.”’
5But they were indifferent and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.
6The rest seized his slaves, insolently mistreated them, and killed them.
7The king was furious! He sent his soldiers, and they put those murderers to death and set their city on fire.
8Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but the ones who had been invited were not worthy.
9So go into the main streets and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’
10And those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all they found, both bad and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11But when the king came in to see the wedding guests, he saw a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.
12And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But he had nothing to say.
13Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Tie him up hand and foot and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!’
14For many are called, but few are chosen.”
15Then the Pharisees went out and planned together to entrap him with his own words.
16They sent to him their disciples along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You do not court anyone’s favor because you show no partiality.
17Tell us then, what do you think? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
18But Jesus realized their evil intentions and said, “Hypocrites! Why are you testing me?
19Show me the coin used for the tax.” So they brought him a denarius.
20Jesus said to them, “Whose image is this, and whose inscription?”
21They replied, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
22Now when they heard this they were stunned, and they left him and went away.
23The same day Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to him and asked him,
24“Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and father children for his brother.’
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 second did the same, and the third, down to the seventh.
27Last of all, the woman died.
28In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.”
29Jesus answered them, “You are deceived because you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
31Now as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God,
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 amazed at his teaching.
34Now when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together.
35And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him:
36“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
37Jesus said to him, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38This is the first and greatest commandment.
39The second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
40All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
41While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus asked them a question:
42“What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said, “The son of David.”
43He said to them, “How then does David by the Spirit call him ‘Lord,’ saying,
44“‘The Lord said to my lord, “Sit at my right hand,until I put your enemies under your feet”’?
45If David then calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”
46No one was able to answer him a word, and from that day on no one dared to question him any longer.
1Jesus answered and spoke to them again in parables, saying,
2“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son,
3and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage feast, but they would not come.
4Again 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!”’
5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise,
6and the rest grabbed his servants, and treated them shamefully, and killed them.
7When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
8“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t worthy.
9Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the marriage feast.’
10Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests.
11But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing,
12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless.
13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’
14For many are called, but few chosen.”
15Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
16They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach, for you aren’t partial to anyone.
17Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?
19Show me the tax money.” They brought to him a denarius.
20He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”
21They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
22When they heard it, they marveled, and left him, and went away.
23On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,
24saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up offspring for his brother.’
25Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.
26In the same way, the second also, and the third, to the seventh.
27After them all, the woman died.
28In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her.”
29But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven.
31But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to 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.”
33When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
34But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together.
35One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him.
36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
37Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38This is the first and great commandment.
39A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
41Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,
42saying, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “Of David.”
43He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,
44‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?’
45“If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”
46No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.
Summary
Jesus tells the parable of the wedding feast, then silences the Pharisees, Sadducees, and lawyers with answers on paying taxes to Caesar, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment — before asking His own unanswerable question about David's Son.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the wedding garment (imputed righteousness), the brilliance of Jesus' answer on taxes, the Sadducees' error, and the significance of Psalm 110:1 for Christ's deity.
- Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Wedding Garment" on vv.11-13 (MTP Vol. 17, No. 991) "The man without the garment thought he could come on his own terms — dressed in his own righteousness. But the king's feast requires the king's garment. You cannot enter God's presence clothed in your own goodness. You must be clothed in Christ." Sermon: "The Greatest Commandment" on vv.37-40 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1293) "Love God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your mind. Not most. Not the parts you're comfortable giving. All. And love your neighbor as yourself — with the same instinctive care you give to your own needs. On these two hang everything."
Reflection
- 1. The invited guests refused to come to the wedding feast — they were too busy with farms and merchandise (v.5). God's invitation is open, but many are too busy with ordinary life to respond. What is keeping you from responding more fully to God's invitation? What "farm" or "merchandise" is competing for your attention?
- 2. "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (v.21). Caesar's image is on the coin — give it to him. God's image is on you — give yourself to Him. Are you giving God what belongs to Him — your time, your heart, your obedience, your worship?
- 3. The Sadducees erred because they didn't know Scripture or God's power (v.29). These are still the two sources of error: biblical ignorance and a small view of God. Which one are you more prone to? How are you addressing it?
- 4. "Love the Lord thy God with ALL thy heart, soul, and mind" (v.37). Not partial love, not convenient love — total love. On a scale of 1-10, how completely are you loving God right now? What would "all" look like in your specific life?
- 5. The man without the wedding garment was "speechless" (v.12) — he had no excuse. On judgment day, those who tried to enter God's presence without Christ's righteousness will have nothing to say. Are you clothed in Christ's righteousness, or are you relying on your own?
- 6. Jesus' answer on taxes shows that Christians have dual citizenship — earthly and heavenly. How do you navigate the tension between your obligations to government and your obligations to God? When do they conflict?
- 7. Jesus said in the resurrection "they neither marry, nor are given in marriage" (v.30). Our relationships will be transformed, not eliminated. How does the reality of eternity shape how you hold your earthly relationships — with open hands rather than clenched fists?
- 8. The two greatest commandments are love for God and love for neighbor (vv.37-39). Everything else hangs on these. How would your daily life change if you evaluated every decision through the lens of "Does this express love for God and love for people?"
- 9. Jesus' question about David's Lord (vv.41-46) silenced everyone. The Messiah is both David's son (human) and David's Lord (divine). How does the full humanity AND full deity of Christ affect how you relate to Him?