22 2 The parable of the marriage. 9 The calling of the Gentiles. 11 The wedding garments, faith. 16 Of Caesar’s tribute. 23 They question with Christ touching the resurrection. 32 God is of the living. 36 The greatest commandment. 37 To love God. 39 To love our neighbor. 42 Jesus reasoneth with the Pharisees touching the Messiah.

Then (A)[a]Jesus answered, and spake unto them again in parables, saying,

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which married his son,

And sent forth his servants, to call them that were bidden to the wedding, but they would not come.

Again he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: mine oxen and my fatlings are [b]killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another about his merchandise.

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them sharply, and slew them.

[c]But when the king heard it, he was wroth, and sent forth his warriors, and destroyed those murderers, and burnt up their city.

Then said he to his servants, Truly the [d]wedding is prepared: but they which were bidden, were not worthy.

[e]Go ye therefore out into the highways, and as many as ye find, bid them to the marriage.

10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all that ever they found, both good and [f]bad: so the wedding was furnished with guests.

11 [g]Then the king came in, to see the guests, and saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment.

12 And he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, and hast not on a wedding garment? And he was [h]speechless.

13 Then said the king to the [i]servants, Bind him hand and foot: take him away, and cast him into utter darkness: (B)there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

14 (C)For many are called, but few chosen.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 22:1 Not all of the whole company of them that are called by the voice of the Gospel are the true Church before God: for the most part of them had rather follow the commodities of this life: and some do most cruelly persecute those that call them: but they are the true Church, which obey when they are called, such as for the most part they are, whom the world despiseth.
  2. Matthew 22:4 The word here used is commonly used in sacrifices, and is by translation used for other feasts also: for feasts and banquets were wont to be begun with sacrifices.
  3. Matthew 22:7 A dreadful destruction of them that contemn Christ.
  4. Matthew 22:8 The marriage feast.
  5. Matthew 22:9 God doth first call us, when we think nothing of it.
  6. Matthew 22:10 The general calling offereth the Gospel to all men: but their life is examined that enter in.
  7. Matthew 22:11 In the small number which come at the calling, there are some castaways which do not confirm their faith with newness of life.
  8. Matthew 22:12 Word for word, haltered, that is to say, he held his peace, as though he had had a bridle or an halter about his neck.
  9. Matthew 22:13 To them that served the guests.

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