Matthew 22

Matthew 22 presents several encounters where Jesus teaches using parables, answers challenges posed by the religious leaders, and explains deep truths about the kingdom of heaven, love, and the resurrection. The chapter opens with the Parable of the Wedding Feast, illustrating the invitation to God’s kingdom and the consequences of rejecting it. The chapter proceeds with Jesus facing questions intended to trap Him but instead revealing profound wisdom. Finally, Jesus silences His critics, establishing His authority and understanding of the Scriptures.

Matthew 22:1-2 (NKJV)
1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said:
2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,

Jesus introduces the parable by comparing the kingdom of heaven to a royal wedding feast, symbolizing God’s invitation to join His kingdom. The “king” represents God, and the “son” signifies Jesus, whose marriage symbolizes the union of Christ and His followers. The lavish celebration emphasizes the joy and honor of being part of God’s kingdom, portraying it as a gracious invitation extended to all.

Matthew 22:3-5 (NKJV)
3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.
4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.”’
5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.

Jesus tells the parable of a king who prepares a wedding feast for his son and sends his servants to call those invited to come, but they refuse. The king then sends more servants to urge the guests, but they respond with indifference, some going about their business, and others mistreating or killing the servants. This part of the parable illustrates the rejection of God's invitation to salvation. The guests symbolize the people of Israel, who were initially called by God but rejected His messengers, including the prophets and ultimately Jesus Himself. Their indifference and hostility reflect the people's hardened hearts and unwillingness to accept God's offer of grace and salvation. Through this parable, Jesus critiques the religious leaders and people who ignore or oppose God's invitation to partake in His kingdom.

Matthew 22:6-7 (NKJV)
6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.
7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

The parable continues with the king’s servants being mistreated and killed by those invited to the wedding feast. In response, the king becomes enraged and sends his armies to destroy the murderers and burn their city. This portion of the parable signifies the consequences of rejecting God's invitation to salvation and mistreating His messengers. The destruction of the city and the punishment of those who rejected the invitation foreshadow the judgment that would come upon Jerusalem for its rejection of Jesus and the gospel. This is a warning of the severe consequences of rejecting God's grace and the urgent need to respond to His call. The burning of the city can be seen as a prophetic reference to the eventual destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, when the Romans besieged and destroyed the city, a judgment that followed the people’s rejection of the Messiah.

Matthew 22:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.
9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’
10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

The king’s invitation now extends to everyone, symbolizing the inclusivity of God’s call. People from all walks of life—both “bad and good”—are welcomed, showing that God’s kingdom is open to all who accept the invitation, regardless of their past. This open invitation reflects the universal scope of the gospel message, embracing anyone willing to respond.

Matthew 22:11-12 (NKJV)
11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.
12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.

The king notices a man at the wedding who is not wearing the proper wedding garment, and upon questioning him, the man remains silent, leading the king to cast him into outer darkness. The wedding garment in this parable symbolizes the righteousness of Christ, which is received by faith, not by works. The man’s failure to wear the garment suggests that he did not accept the righteousness provided by God through Christ. Instead, he may have been deceived by a “righteousness by works” mentality, relying on his own efforts or self-righteousness rather than the grace of God. This represents those who try to enter God's kingdom based on their own merit, believing their actions or self-perceived goodness can make them worthy. The king’s harsh response emphasizes the truth that salvation is not about personal achievement but about accepting the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. The man’s punishment—being cast into outer darkness—illustrates the eternal consequences of rejecting God’s provision of grace and attempting to stand before God in one's own self-righteousness.

Matthew 22:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.”

After the man is cast into outer darkness for not wearing the proper wedding garment, Jesus concludes the parable with the statement, "For many are called, but few are chosen." The phrase "many are called" refers to the broad invitation God extends to all people, offering salvation and the opportunity to enter His kingdom. This call is universal, extended to everyone regardless of their background or past. However, "few are chosen" signifies that while many hear the call, only those who respond appropriately—by accepting God's righteousness through faith in Christ—are chosen to partake in the kingdom. The “calling” represents the divine invitation to salvation, but the “choosing” is the response of those who humbly accept God's grace and are clothed in the righteousness of Christ. The passage emphasizes that while God offers salvation freely to all, only those who truly accept His provision, rather than relying on their own efforts or rejecting His grace, are ultimately chosen for eternal life with Him.

Matthew 22:15-17 (NKJV)
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk.
16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.
17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

The Pharisees and Herodians aim to trap Jesus by questioning Him about paying taxes, hoping He will either displease the Roman authorities or alienate His Jewish followers. Their flattery conceals their malicious intent, as they attempt to manipulate Jesus into making a politically dangerous statement. This scene reveals the religious leaders’ growing hostility toward Jesus.

Matthew 22:18-21 (NKJV)
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?
19 Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius.
20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Jesus’ response transcends the trap set by His challengers. By saying to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, He acknowledges the legitimacy of government authority, but He also emphasizes that ultimate loyalty belongs to God. This answer not only silences His opponents but also teaches the principle of balancing earthly and divine responsibilities.

Matthew 22:22 (NKJV)
22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

The leaders are astonished at Jesus’ wisdom, realizing they failed to trap Him. Their reaction highlights the depth of Jesus’ knowledge and His authority, which continues to confound those who oppose Him.

Matthew 22:23-28 (NKJV)
23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him,
24 saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.
25 Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother.
26 Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh.
27 Last of all the woman died also.
28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.”

The Sadducees, who deny the resurrection, present a hypothetical situation to challenge Jesus. They cite the law of levirate marriage, where a man’s brother marries his widow to carry on the family line, hoping to make the concept of resurrection seem absurd. This test aims to discredit Jesus’ teaching on life after death by presenting a complex scenario.

Matthew 22:29-30 (NKJV)
29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.
30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.”

Jesus points out the Sadducees’ misunderstanding of both Scripture and God’s power. He clarifies that earthly institutions like marriage don’t apply in the resurrection, where people will be “like angels,” focused on spiritual relationships rather than physical ones. His response affirms the reality of the resurrection and the transformation that awaits believers in heaven.

Matthew 22:31-32 (NKJV)
31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying,
32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

Jesus addresses the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, by quoting from Exodus 3:6, where God declares Himself to be the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus uses this statement to emphasize that these patriarchs, though physically deceased, are alive to God. His point is that God is not the God of the dead—those whose lives have ended in the earthly sense—but of the living, meaning that those who have passed away are still in His care and will be resurrected. This reinforces the truth of the resurrection, showing that life with God continues beyond physical death.

Matthew 22:33 (NKJV)
33 And when the multitudes heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.

The crowd marvels at Jesus’ insight and authority, as He teaches profound truths with clarity and wisdom. His response not only silences the Sadducees but also strengthens the crowd’s faith, reinforcing the reality of resurrection and eternal life.

Matthew 22:34-36 (NKJV)
34 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.
35 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

The Pharisees, seeing Jesus’ ability to silence the Sadducees, decide to test Him further. They send a lawyer to question Him about the greatest commandment, hoping to trap Him into prioritizing one commandment over others. This question reflects their desire to discredit Him, while also exploring His understanding of the law.

Matthew 22:37-38 (NKJV)
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and great commandment.

Jesus responds to a question about the greatest commandment by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, emphasizing the importance of loving God with all one's heart, soul, and mind. This commandment underscores the total devotion that believers should have toward God, engaging their entire being—emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually—in love for Him. Jesus declares this as the first and greatest commandment, highlighting that love for God is foundational to all other commandments and the essence of a faithful relationship with Him. It emphasizes that true worship is not just external actions, but a deep, all-encompassing love for God.

Matthew 22:39-40 (NKJV)
39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Jesus continues by stating that the second greatest commandment is to love one's neighbor as oneself, drawing from Leviticus 19:18. He explains that this commandment is closely linked to the first, as genuine love for God manifests in love for others. Jesus further clarifies that all the Law and the Prophets—the entire body of Old Testament teachings—are based on these two commandments. By prioritizing love for God and for others, Jesus highlights the central principle that love is the foundation of God's will, fulfilling the purpose of the law and guiding ethical behavior in every aspect of life.

Matthew 22:41-42 (NKJV)
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.”

Turning the tables, Jesus now questions the Pharisees about the Messiah’s identity. He begins with a question that aligns with common Jewish beliefs, acknowledging the Messiah as the “Son of David.” This sets the stage for a deeper inquiry into the true nature and identity of the Messiah, revealing His divine authority.

Matthew 22:43-45 (NKJV)
43 He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying:
44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool”’?
45 If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his Son?”

Jesus poses a thought-provoking question to the Pharisees to challenge their understanding of the Messiah’s identity. He quotes from Psalm 110:1, where David, inspired by the Spirit, calls the Messiah "Lord," stating, "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'" Jesus then asks how David can call someone his "Lord" if that person is merely his son, since the Messiah was expected to be a descendant of David. This question points to a deeper truth: while the Messiah is indeed a descendant of David in His humanity, He is also divine, having an authority and status greater than David’s. Jesus is highlighting the dual nature of the Messiah—both human and divine—and emphasizing that the Messiah’s sovereignty transcends His earthly lineage. The Pharisees, fixated on the idea of the Messiah as a purely human figure, could not reconcile this concept, as it challenged their limited understanding of the Scriptures. Through this question, Jesus reveals that the Messiah is not just a descendant of David but is also the eternal Lord, seated at the right hand of God, a position of ultimate power and authority.

Matthew 22:46 (NKJV)
46 And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.

Jesus’ profound wisdom and understanding silence His critics entirely. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and others who tried to challenge Him are left speechless, realizing they cannot trap or refute Him. This moment marks the end of their attempts to publicly question Him, acknowledging His authority and the depth of His knowledge.