Matthew 22:1-14

Matthew recorded this parable of Jesus having the Jews in mind, while Luke addressed the similar parable to a gentile audience in Luke 14: 15 – 24.

A king is giving a banquet and he first invites his own people to attend the marriage feast. When the food is cooked, the king sends his servants to inform those who accepted his invitation to come to the feast. But the invitees made light of it and went off doing their own chores, while the others seized the servants and killed them. This is exactly what the Jews did to all the prophets when God sent His messages through them. The angered king now sends his servants again, to invite all and sundry living in the streets to attend the feast.

According to the manners and customs of the Middle East, all the wedding guests were expected to wear a simple gown for the wedding because in their culture, the bride and the groom are expected to look the smartest, as it was their special day.

Seeing a man without the wedding garment, the king addressed him – ‘Friend, how did you get in here without your wedding garment?’ The transgressor was speechless and the king instructed his servants to bind him up and cast him into the darkness, where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus told this parable because, the Jews having refused to repent and accept the offer of salvation given by Him, the gentiles have been roped in. However, He specified, be it a Jew or a gentile, one cannot enter heaven at his own terms but only by obeying the rules set by God the King.

Thought for the day: Stick to the terms set by God in His Holy word, if you want to partake in the marriage supper of the Lamb.