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In this lesson:
It's Passion Week, and Jesus is finishing His ministry. Jesus recites another parable (22:1-14). But, first re-read the parable in verse 21:33-41 (lesson 43). Look for similarities. Another trap is set for Jesus (22:15-22). Jesus' chats with the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees begin in verse 22:15 and run through 22:46 (lesson 45). Even after speaking with Jesus, the Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees refused to believe. Study Tip: Remember to read the Margin Notes in blue and click on the links. |
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Who were the Herodians -
The Herodians were a Jewish political party that supported King Herod Antipas and the Roman occupiers. They had no problem paying Rome's taxes and obeying their laws. The Herodians vehemently opposed the Pharisees on almost every issue. But the two groups joined forces in this passage and Mark 3:6 and 12:13 in a failed attempt to trap Jesus, their common adversary. They asked the Messiah if it was right for Jews to pay taxes to Rome. If Jesus replied "yes," His Jewish followers would turn against Him for supporting their Roman oppressors. If Jesus answered "no," the Romans would have grounds to arrest Him for inciting rebellion.
The Herodians were a Jewish political party that supported King Herod Antipas and the Roman occupiers. They had no problem paying Rome's taxes and obeying their laws. The Herodians vehemently opposed the Pharisees on almost every issue. But the two groups joined forces in this passage and Mark 3:6 and 12:13 in a failed attempt to trap Jesus, their common adversary. They asked the Messiah if it was right for Jews to pay taxes to Rome. If Jesus replied "yes," His Jewish followers would turn against Him for supporting their Roman oppressors. If Jesus answered "no," the Romans would have grounds to arrest Him for inciting rebellion.
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Matthew 22:1-22
The wedding 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. 15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And 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. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They 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. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way |
Margin notes:
"Which made a marriage for his son." (22:2) - "Who made a wedding feast for his son." "Call them that were bidden." (22:3) - This means "call those who were invited" to the wedding. In Jesus' day, two invitations were sent to the wedding guests. The first invited the guests well in advance of the wedding. The second was sent on the wedding day to let the guests know that everything was ready for their arrival. "My fatlings are killed." (22:4) - "My fattened cattle are prepared." "The remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully and slew them." (22:6) - "The rest took the servants, treated them terribly, and killed them." "He was wroth." (22:7) - "He was angry." "And burned up their city." (22:7) - Many Bible scholars believe that the King's destruction of the city was a prophecy of Jerusalem's ruination in AD 70. "Go ye therefore into the highways." (22:9) - God wrote the Old Testament (Old Covenant) for Jews. However, the message of salvation through Jesus Christ (the New Covenant) is meant for everyone, Jew and Gentile. After His resurrection, Jesus told His disciples to "teach all nations" the way of salvation (Matthew 28:19-20). See also Acts 28:28 and "Today's Question" below. "Bid to the marriage." (22:9) - "Invite to the wedding." "The wedding was furnished with guests." (22:10) - "The wedding was filled with guests." "A wedding garment." (22:11) - See Isaiah 61:10; Zechariah 3:3-5; Revelation 3:4-5; and 19:7-8. "For many are called, but few are chosen." (22:14) - Jesus is reemphasizing His words from Matthew 20:16. "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." (22:16) - "You are honest and teach God's truth without favoritism or regard to what others think." The Pharisees and Herodians are buttering up Jesus with flattery. "Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar?" (22:17) - "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar?" This is a verbal trap. If Jesus answers, "Yes, pay the taxes," the crowds will turn against Him because they hate the Roman occupiers. If Jesus says, "Don't pay Caesar's tax," the Romans will arrest Him for sedition. "Why tempt ye me?" (22:18) - "Why do you test me?" "Whose is this image and superscription." (22:20) - "Who's image and inscription are on the coin?" "They marvelled." (22:22) - "They were amazed." |
You can read a similar "feast" parable in Luke 14:16-24.
New Living Translation
Matthew 22:1-22
Parable of the Great Feast
1 Jesus also told them other parables. He said,
2 "The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son.
3 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!
4 "So he sent other servants to tell them, 'The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!'
5 But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business.
6 Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.
7 "The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town.
8 And he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren't worthy of the honor.
9 Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.'
10 So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.
11 "But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn't wearing the proper clothes for a wedding.
12 'Friend,' he asked, 'how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?' But the man had no reply.
13 Then the king said to his aides, 'Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."
Taxes for Caesar
15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.
16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. "Teacher," they said, "we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don't play favorites.
17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. "You hypocrites!" he said. "Why are you trying to trap me?
19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax." When they handed him a Roman coin,
20 he asked, "Whose picture and title are stamped on it?"
21 "Caesar's," they replied.
"Well, then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."
22 His reply amazed them, and they went away.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Parable of the Great Feast
1 Jesus also told them other parables. He said,
2 "The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son.
3 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!
4 "So he sent other servants to tell them, 'The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!'
5 But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business.
6 Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.
7 "The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town.
8 And he said to his servants, 'The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren't worthy of the honor.
9 Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.'
10 So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.
11 "But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn't wearing the proper clothes for a wedding.
12 'Friend,' he asked, 'how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?' But the man had no reply.
13 Then the king said to his aides, 'Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."
Taxes for Caesar
15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.
16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. "Teacher," they said, "we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don't play favorites.
17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. "You hypocrites!" he said. "Why are you trying to trap me?
19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax." When they handed him a Roman coin,
20 he asked, "Whose picture and title are stamped on it?"
21 "Caesar's," they replied.
"Well, then," he said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God."
22 His reply amazed them, and they went away.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk." (22:15)
"They 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. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. " (22:21-22)
"They 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. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. " (22:21-22)
Today's Question:
1. What does the parable of the wedding feast mean? (22:2-14)
These lessons are not meant to convert unbelievers.
Instead, to introduce them to Jesus so He can work on their hearts and minds.
1. What does the parable of the wedding feast mean? (22:2-14)
These lessons are not meant to convert unbelievers.
Instead, to introduce them to Jesus so He can work on their hearts and minds.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. In the parable of the wedding feast, the king (representing God) prepared a grand celebration for his son (Jesus), who was to be united with His bride (the church, believers).
The first people invited to the wedding (salvation) were the king's (God's) chosen people (Jews). They were expected to prepare themselves for the wedding (salvation) and wait for the groom (Jesus) to arrive. With the birth of the Messiah, everything was prepared, but the invited guests (God's chosen people) were not worthy (22:8). They (Jews) refused to attend the wedding (believe in Jesus) and "would not come" (22:3-4). They ignored (22:5) the king's (God's) invitation and rejected, persecuted, and even killed (22:6) his messengers (God's Old Testament prophets). The king (God) punished those who rejected His son (22:7) and invited others (22:9-10); that is Gentiles (Acts 13:46).
When the king arrived at the wedding (when God comes to judge), he noticed that one of the guests was not wearing the proper garments (representing holiness of heart; see Colossians 3:10; 3:12). This guest was judged unworthy of the feast (salvation) and cast into "darkness" (22:11-13).
Application thought for the day:
"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (22:21).
Christians hold dual citizenship: they are citizens of this world and the Kingdom of Heaven. How does this dual citizenship apply to your life?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series," published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham, published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible," published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version, published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament," published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation," published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible," published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible," published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible," published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke