Matthew 22:1-14

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

1 And again Jesus o spoke to them in parables, saying, 2 p "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave q a wedding feast for his son, 3 and r sent his servants 1 to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. 4 s Again he sent other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my t dinner, u my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.' 5 But v they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, 6 while the rest seized his servants, w treated them shamefully, and x killed them. 7 The king was angry, and he sent his troops and y destroyed those murderers and burned their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not z worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.' 10 And those servants went out into the roads and b gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 "But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there c a man who had no wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, d 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and e cast him into the outer darkness. In that place e there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are f called, but few are f chosen."

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 13:34
    All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 22:2 - 14
    The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.
    Luke 14:16 - 24
    But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many.
  3. Cross References
    Revelation 19:7
    Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.
  4. Cross References
    Esther 6:14
    While they were yet talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and hurried to bring Haman to the feast that Esther had prepared.
    Proverbs 9:3
    She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town.
    Proverbs 9:5
    Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 21:36
    Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them.
  6. Cross References
    Luke 11:38
    The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner.
    John 21:12
    Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.
    John 21:15
    When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs.
  7. Cross References
    Proverbs 9:2
    She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
  8. Cross References
    Hebrews 2:3
    How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard.
  9. Cross References
    Luke 18:32
    For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon.
    Acts 14:5
    When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them.
    1 Thessalonians 2:2
    But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
  10. Cross References
    Matthew 21:35
    And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
  11. Cross References
    Matthew 21:41
    They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.
    Luke 19:27
    But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.'
  12. Cross References
    Matthew 10:11
    And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.
    Acts 13:46
    And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
    Revelation 3:4
    Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
    Luke 20:35
    But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 13:47
    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
  14. Cross References
    Revelation 19:8
    It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure" - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
    Revelation 22:14
    Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.
  15. Cross References
    Matthew 20:13
    But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
    Matthew 26:50
    Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 8:12
    While the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
  17. Cross References
    Matthew 8:12
    While the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
  18. Cross References
    Revelation 17:14
    They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.
  19. Cross References
    Revelation 17:14
    They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.