Matthew 22:1-14
Wedding feast – a countrywide celebration of several days, coming to the feast represents entering His Kingdom
Bible Wedding Feast imagery:
“Lord, will make for all peoples, a feast…all nations, wipe away tears, ‘Let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.'” – Isaiah 25:6-9
“feast on the abundance of your house. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.” – Psalms 36:8-9
Parable of the Bridegroom and Ten Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13 June 1 Justin
John’s vision of the wedding feast of the Lamb: “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; 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. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” – Revelation 19:7-9 ESV
New Testament era Wedding Feast culture: Rejecting invitation would be extreme insult, dangerous affront to His authority
Proper wedding attire expected.
1. Some evidence in the ancient world for a king supplying garments for his guests (Genesis 45:22, Esther 6:8-9). There is the story of God clothing his unworthy people in beautiful garments (Ezekiel 16:10-13). Jesus could be alluding to imputed righteousness, which Paul elaborates later (Romans 3:21-31, 4:22-25). Thus by not wearing the garments provided, this guest has highly insulted the host.
2. The wedding garment may refer to a clean garment, symbolizing evidence of righteous works. Either way, it is described as something essential. – ESV Study Bible
“The proper wedding garment is charity from a pure heart. The wedding garment is not baptism as such but love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith.” – Augustine
“God’s kingdom is a kingdom in which love and justice and truth and mercy and holiness reign unhindered. They are the clothes you need to wear for the wedding. And if you refuse to put them on, you are saying you don’t want to stay at the party. That is the reality. If we don’t have the courage to say so, we are deceiving ourselves, and everyone who listens to us.” – Wright, T. (2004). Matthew for Everyone, Part 2: Chapters 16-28 (p. 85). Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.
“Yes, many are invited, but only a few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:14
“Many are invited to apply, but few are selected.” Louw-Nida
“Effectively called, those who respond with true faith,” – ESV Study Bible 1 Corinthians 1:24, 26-28
“For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach a Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:22-29 NASB
“Chosen”, term used by Jesus in reference to his true disciples, Matthew 11:27, 24:22, 24, 31 “the elect,” – Matthew 24:22, 24, 31
“All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” – Matthew 11:27 ESV
What do we learn?
1. God initiates a loving relationship through the Gospel truth of Jesus as Savior.
2. God invites many people, whom he has chosen, to receive and respond to Jesus as Savior.
How do we know what the followers of Jesus believed about this parable?
1. They received the Gospel truth of Jesus as Savior, responding with gracious humility as instructed. This included repentant life change and baptism.
2. They relayed the Gospel truth of Jesus as Savior, with an urgent invitation, to many other people.
3. They refused to be discouraged by those who rejected Jesus as Savior. They ran their race to its end.
4. They rejoice in the eternal glory of Jesus as Savior.