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. (Matthew 22:1-14 KJV)
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
Jesus answered, not to what his opposers said (for they were silenced), but to what they thought when they wished to lay hands on him. Christ knows how to answer men’s thoughts, for he discerns them. He continued his discourse with another parable, similar to the previous one, representing the gospel offer and the response it receives. The parable of the vineyard highlights the sin of the rulers who persecuted the prophets, while this one emphasizes the people’s general neglect of the message.
Christianity or the church is represented by a feast a king made for his son’s wedding (Mt 22:2). The King is God and Christ is the Son and Bridegroom. A feast was prepared – Christianity – including all the blessings of the new covenant—pardon of sin, God’s favor, peace of conscience, gospel promises, access to God, the Spirit’s comfort, and the hope of eternal life. These preparations offer a taste of heaven on earth and the assurance of heaven itself. God has prepared it in his counsel and covenant.
It is a feast, as foretold in prophecy (Isa 25:6), foreshadowed by the ceremonial law. A feast is a day of joy; so is the gospel. Oxen and fattened cattle were prepared, representing Christ’s sacrifice. A feast symbolizes reconciliation and God’s goodwill toward men, bringing rejoicing, fullness, and fellowship between heaven and earth.
It is a wedding feast, which is abundant, free, and joyful. Christ’s first miracle was providing for a wedding feast (John 2:1-11), and he will surely provide for his own. When the marriage of the Lamb comes and the bride is ready, it will be a victorious celebration (Re 19:7-9).
It is a royal wedding feast, held by a king for his son. If ever a king will show the riches of his glorious kingdom, it is at his son’s wedding. The provision made for believers in the covenant of grace is beyond expectation yet befits the King of glory. He gives like himself; for he gives himself.
The gospel’s calls and offers are represented by an invitation to this feast. God’s guests are the children of men. Wherever the gospel is preached, this invitation is extended; ministers are the servants sent to invite. All who hear the gospel receive this call. None are excluded except those who exclude themselves. Those who accept gospel privileges must honor the Lord Jesus.
The invitation is repeated because Christ longs for the happiness of souls. He not only provides for them but calls them, knowing their weakness and forgetfulness. When the invited guests were slow to come, more servants were sent. When prophets, John the Baptist, and Christ himself were not heeded, the apostles and ministers of the gospel were sent to urge acceptance.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come” (Re 22:17). The Father is ready to accept us, the Son to intercede for us, the Spirit to sanctify us. Pardon, peace, and comfort are ready. The promises are ready, as wells of living water. Ordinances are ready, as golden pipes for conveyance. Angels are ready to serve, providences ready to work for good, and heaven itself is prepared to receive us. Shall we remain unready?
The gospel often meets with cold treatment, represented by the rejection of the invitation and the mistreatment of the messengers (Mt 22:5-6). This primarily refers to the Jews, who rejected God’s counsel, but also applies to those in all ages who despise the gospel.
The invitation was ignored—they would not come. Sinners do not come to Christ not because they cannot, but because they will not. Many made light of it, thinking it unimportant. Some were occupied with their farms and businesses, preferring worldly pursuits over eternal matters. Others mistreated and killed the messengers.
The king was enraged (Mt 22:7). The Jews, once the people of God’s love, became objects of his wrath. Persecution of Christ’s ministers fills the measure of guilt more than anything. The Roman armies were God’s instruments to bring judgment, destroying those murderers and burning their city. Jerusalem, once the holy city, became desolate. It was the Lord’s doing to avenge the breaking of his covenant.
Since those invited refused to come, the invitation was extended to all. The Jews rejected the invitation, so the call was extended to others and the church was replenished by bringing in the Gentiles (Mt 22:9-10). Christ will have a kingdom, even if many reject him. Salvation came to the Gentiles, as foretold. The invitation was unexpected to them yet universal—whoever will, let him come.
The invitation was successful—many came, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. So will heaven be filled with those gathered from all nations. Many who were last will be first. The places left vacant by those who refused will be taken by those who accept the invitation with joy.
The king came in to see the guests, welcoming those prepared and rejecting those unprepared (Mt 22:11). God notices those who profess religion and have a place in the visible church. Jesus walks among the golden lampstands and knows their works (Re 2:1-2). This warns against hypocrisy and encourages sincerity.
One man was found without a wedding garment. The feast – Christianity – requires a heart and life aligned with God’s word (Eph 4:1; Php 1:27). As believers, the righteous and holy life we lead and the righteousness of Christ which was imputed to us are the clean linen (Re 19:8) we wear. This man was not naked or in rags; he had some clothing but not a wedding garment. This man represents hypocrites – those who profess to be believers but are ungodly.
When this man was questioned why he was not wearing a wedding garment, he was speechless (Mt 22:12). His conscience convicted him, and he had no defense. Those who profess Christianity but live sinfully will have no excuse when they stand before God. Even if they plead, “We have eaten and drunk in your presence” (Luke 13:26), it will only confirm their guilt.
The man without the wedding garment was bound and cast out (Mt 22:13). This has present and end-time applications. Presently, ministers or church leaders have the authority to bind. As a disciplinary measure, they may expel or suspend an ungodly member (Mt 18:18). On judgment day, angels will bind up these tares for the fire (Mt 13:41). Hypocrites are removed from the faithful and lose heaven’s blessings. They are cast into outer darkness, outside of heaven’s light, facing endless sorrow and furious despair (Isa 51:20; Isa 8:21-22).
Lastly, Jesus concludes, “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Mt 22:14). Among the many invited, only a few are chosen. If we set aside all who reject the invitation, make an empty profession, or live hypocritically, only a few remain. Many are called to the wedding feast, but few wear the wedding garment. Few are chosen for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit. This is the narrow way that few find (Mt 7:14).