[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 abused, 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 did you come in here not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. [13] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [14] For many are called, but few are chosen.
Verse 1 Expanded Bible Comments
| And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Why did Jesus answer them in parables? | Matt. 13:10-11; Luke 8:10 |
Verse 2 Expanded Bible Comments
| The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is "the kingdom of heaven?" | This indicates that the Kingdom of God has a "Heavenly phase" to it. There is, of course, an earthly phase as well. Matt. 6:10 – In most (if not all) cases this refers to the development of the true church while still in the flesh. |
| Who is pictured by "a certain king?" | Jehovah. |
| Who is "his son?" | Our Lord Jesus. |
| What is pictured by the king making "a marriage for his son?" | The preparation of the joining together of Jesus (the heavenly bridegroom) and His bride (the true church, the "little flock") in the heavenly phase of the Kingdom. Rev. 21:2,9 |
Verses 3-4 Expanded Bible Comments
| 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. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Who is it that "send forth his servants?" | The "certain king" of verse 2, Jehovah. |
| In verses 3-10, how many times were guests bidden to the wedding of the King's son? | Three times. (1) - verse 3. (2) - verse 4. (3) - verse 9. |
| Who are "his servants?" | John the Baptist and John's disciples. |
| Who are "them that were bidden?" | The Jews at the time of our Lord's first advent, those to whom "were committed the oracles of God." Rom. 3:1-2 |
| To what were they called? | To "joint-heirship with Messiah in His Kingdom." – PD59:2 |
| Did they accept the invitation from the King? | No. |
| What did the king do next? | "He sent forth other servants." |
| Who were the "other servants?" | Our Lord and the Apostles. |
| Was there anything different about the instructions given to the "other servants?" | Yes. Their instructions included: "I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready." |
| What does that mean? | In the first "bidding" there was no indication that the dinner was yet ready. In this one the ox (bullock) had now been slain, i.e., Jesus had now given His earthly as the Ransom sacrifice, therefore the dinner was prepared. |
| During what time period was the first invitation? | From 29-33 A.D. |
| During what time period was the second invitation? | From 33-36 A.D. |
Verses 5-6 Expanded Bible Comments
| 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 abused, and slew them. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| "But they made light of it." – Who is "they?" | "They" refers to the Jews (who at that time still had exclusivity when it came to God's special favor) from 33-36 A.D. |
| What does it mean that "they went their ways?" | "They went their (own) ways." In other words they said to the King, "We do not want to go to the wedding, we would rather do something else." |
| How did they treat the King's servants? | They abused (both verbally and physically) and eventually killed them. In 33 A.D. they killed Jesus and in the years that followed they killed the apostles and other of His followers. |
Verse 7 Expanded Bible Comments
| But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Who is the King? | Jehovah God. |
| What emotion did the King react with? | Anger. "He was wroth." |
| Who comprised the King's armies? | The Roman army under Titus. |
| What happened to those who killed the King's servants? | Those Jews and their descendants ("let his blood be upon us and upon our children") were destroyed in the slaughter of Jerusalem – 70 A.D. |
| What happened to their city? | Their literal city was Jerusalem which was burned in 70 A.D. |
Verse 8 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What did the king mean by "the wedding is ready?" | |
| Who was it that was not worthy? | The majority of the nominal Jewish house. |
Verse 9 Expanded Bible Comments
| Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Where were "the highways?" | Outside of the city (of Jerusalem.) |
| What is this symbolic of? | The Jews had been in covenant relation with God. Now, since they were not worthy, the call went to the Gentiles, i.e., to the highways – outside of Jerusalem. |
| "As many as you shall find, bid to the marriage." What does that mean? | The general call to become a member of the body of Christ is now open to all, both Jew and Gentile. |
Verse 10 Expanded Bible Comments
| 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. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Who are "those servants?" | The true church in the flesh. |
| What is meant by "both bad and good?" | Many types of people answer the Gospel Call. Not all of them are fit. 1 Cor. 1:26 |
| What is meant by "and the wedding was furnished with guests?" | The full number of the body of Christ (those who had permanently gained their crowns plus those who were probationary members of the little flock) had been reached, all 144,000 of them. |
Verse 11 Expanded Bible Comments
| And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is indicated by "the king came in?" | Our Lord Jesus at His second advent. Not only is he now a king in his own right, but he is the representative of Jehovah God, the true King of the Universe. |
| Do we associate this event with a chronological date or period? | Yes. 1878 A.D. This is the parallel date to 33 A.D. when our Lord rode into Jerusalem and presented himself to them as their King. |
| In this context, what was his purpose for coming in? | "To see (examine) the guests." |
| What did he discover? | There was a man at the feast without a wedding garment. |
| What does the wedding garment picture? | The robe of Christ's Righteousness, i.e., Justification by faith in His ransom sacrifice. |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| And he saith unto him, Friend, how did you come in here not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is suggested by addressing him as "friend?" | It suggests closeness. It also suggests Justification by faith. Remember that Abraham was called a friend of God. 2 Chron. 20:7; James 2:23 |
| What is the import of the question: "How did you come in here not having a wedding garment?" | The wedding garment is the robe of Christ's righteousness, justification by faith in His sacrifice as our Redeemer. The question implies he had taken off the robe, denied the Ransom. Q732:2 |
| Why was he speechless? | Because he knew that when he entered into the favor or God and into the feast he was wearing the garment, i.e., he was justified by faith in Christ's Ransom sacrifice. But now he has denied the value of the robe. |
Verse 13 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What does it mean to "Bind him hand and foot?" | It means to take away his false arguments by presenting the truth. The truth is what binds the enemies of God. R2302 |
| What does it mean to cast him out? | R1453 |
| Why is he cast "into outer darkness?" – What does that mean? | From which he originally came in. R1698 |
| What is meant by "weeping and gnashing of teeth?" | It indicates great stress, disapointment and chagrin. |
Verse 14 Expanded Bible Comments
| For many are called, but few are chosen. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What does this mean? | This does not refer to "many" as being of the human race. Many are called to the high-calling as compared to the few who are eventually chosen, i.e., the Little Flock. |
[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] Show 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.
Verses 15-17 Expanded Bible Comments
| 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? | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What action did the Pharisees take? | They "took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk." |
| What does this suggest about their attitude? | This sounds like the course of the Adversary. |
| Who were the Herodians? | 1. R3852. See also biblestudytools.com 2. R2756:4 |
| "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." – What were the Herodians and the disciples of the Pharisees attempting to do with this statement? | This was a "set up" statement for the question which followed. They were trying to set him up for failure. If he answered one way it would violate God's instructions. If he answered the other way he would appear to show himself to be against the Jews. |
| "Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" Why did the Pharisees think this was such a clever question? | R3852. |
Verses 18-22 Expanded Bible Comments
| But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? [19] Show 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. | |
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| Please read Expanded Bible Comments for these verses. Matt. 22:18-22 |
[23] The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, [24] Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. [25] Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: [26] Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. [27] And last of all the woman died also. [28] Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. [29] Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. [30] For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. [31] But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, [32] I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. [33] And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
Verses 23-24 Expanded Bible Comments
| The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, [24] Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Who were the Sadducees? | They were a sect of Jews who did not believe in the resurrection from the dead. Really they were agnostics. |
| Who, in Scripture, were they most often associated with? | They were associated with the Pharisees, although the Pharisees did believe in the resurrection. |
| What was their reason for mentioning the law about a man's brother taking his widow and raising up seed to his brother? | As usual they were trying to entrap Jesus. They thought that this argument could not be solved within the law and would (at least in their minds) prove that their is no God, no true law-giver. |
Verses 25-28 Expanded Bible Comments
| Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: [26] Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. [27] And last of all the woman died also. [28] Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| In their account the one woman was married to seven brothers, one after the other, they all died and finally the woman too. Was this legal according to the law of God and delivered by Moses? | Yes because she never had more than one at a time. The brother was to raise up seed for his deceased brother. |
| What was their temptation? | Q594 |
Verses 29-30 Expanded Bible Comments
| Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. [30] For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Did Jesus attempt to appease the Sadducees? | No, not in any way. |
| What was the first thing Jesus told them? | "You are in error." He did not say "It is good that you know the requirements of the Law, that a man should raise up seed to his deceased brother.. etc." |
| Since the Sadducees knew the requirements of the Scripture concerning raising up seed, why did Jesus tell them they did not know the scriptures? | Because they only knew the "letter of the law," and not its spirit. Additionally, they did not consider all the Scriptures because they were agnostics, whereas if they were true believers they would have searched the Scriptures to find the answer (and not to be lawyer-like and try to find an apparent contradiction or loophole.) |
| Why did Jesus tell the Sadducees that they did not know "the power of God?" | Because they did not really believe in God and Jesus knew it. If they did believe in God they would have had the faith to realize that God's wisdom was far greater than their own and that He would have a just solution to all problems. |
| What did Jesus say would be different about conditions in the resurrection? | There would be no more marriages. |
| In his answer did Jesus indicate that those resurrected ones will be angels? | No, they will be as the angels of God. |
| In what manner will they be "as the angels of God in heaven?" | In the manner just described, i.e., they will not marry, they will not have offspring. |
Verses 31-32 Expanded Bible Comments
| But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, [32] I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What teaching do we learn (or have re-affirmed) by our Lord's mentioning of "the resurrection of the dead?" | Since our Lord did not say "the resurrection of the living," we may safely assume that "the dead" are exactly that: dead. Also, the dead are the only ones who need to be resurrected or raised from death. |
| What false doctrine of the nominal church does this disprove? | The (false) doctrine of "immortality of the soul." |
| "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Why was this important to the Sadducees? | Because it went directly to who they were as a people, i.e., their descendants. |
| "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." Does this teach that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are now alive somewhere? | No. There is one faulty translation (the Easy to Read Version) which mis-translates this: "So they were not still dead, because he is the God only of living people." If this were the correct thought then why would the Apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost proclaim: "David is not ascended into the heavens?" (Acts 2:34) David had been dead for over a thousand years when Peter uttered these words. |
Verse 33 Expanded Bible Comments
| And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Why was the multitude astonished at his doctrine? | Q594 |
[34] But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. [35] Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, [36] Master, which is the great commandment in the law? [37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Verse 34 Expanded Bible Comments
| But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Why did the Pharisees (who believed in the resurrection) and the Sadducees (who did not so believe) gather together? | This is a case where the worldly proverb applies: "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Neither of these two groups wanted Jesus to continue to threaten their standing with the people. |
Verses 35-36 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, [36] Master, which is the great commandment in the law? | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What significance is there to the questioner being a lawyer? | Much like many of today's lawyers, he was attempting to be clever and find some kind of "loophole" in God's law (or, at least, to find a loophole in Jesus' understanding of God's law.) |
| What was the lawyer attempting to do with his question? | Like others before him, he was attempting to trap Jesus in his words. |
| How was his question a temptation? | While we are not told directly, we may reason on this. If this lawyer could get Jesus to say that one commandment was more important than another in God's law, he could then (lawyer-like) come up with follow-up questions designed to entrap Jesus. In effect this question was similar to "Answer yes or no. Do you still beat your wife?" |
Verses 37-38 Expanded Bible Comments
| Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Was this really a commandment found in the Law? | Deut. 6:5 |
| What is the difference between (1) the heart; (2) the soul; and (3) the mind? | 1) Our affections. 2) Our being. 3) Our reasoning. |
| What makes this the greatest commandment? | Because it includes all the other commandments related to God. |
Verses 39-40 Expanded Bible Comments
| And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Was this really a commandment found in the Law? | Lev. 19:18 |
| What makes this the second greatest commandment? | Because it includes all the commandments related to how to treat mankind. |
| How is it that "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets?" | Because they cover both how we think and relate to both God and to man. |
[41] While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, [42] Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. [43] He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, [44] The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? [45] If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? [46] And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Verses 41-42 Expanded Bible Comments
| While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, [42] Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| In the encounters between Jesus and the Pharisees, who normally asked the questions and what was usually the motivation behind the questions? | The Pharisees usually asked the questions. Their motivation was selfishness. They thought they could trip him up and catch him in his words. They were afraid of losing influence with the prople. – Matt. 23:2-3,7 |
| What was different about this occasion? | It was Jesus who asked the question of the Pharisees. |
| What was the question? | Whose son is Christ? |
| What answer was given? | The son of David. |
| Was that the correct answer? | Yes. |
| At what point did Jesus become the son of David? | Luke 1:24-38. |
Verses 43-45 Expanded Bible Comments
| He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, [44] The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? [45] If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Jesus refers to "David in the spirit.." Was he saying that David was a spirit being? | Absolutely not! See what the Apostle Peter said on the Day of Pentecost about where David was. Acts 2:29, 34 |
| Where does David refer to Christ as being his (David's) Lord? | Psa. 110:1 |
| What exactly in that verse makes us think that David has called him "Lord?" | The chapter begins with "A Psalm of David," so we know it is David. It then goes on to say "The LORD [Jehovah] said unto my [David's] Lord [Adon – sovereign].." |
| What was Jesus' question? | "If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?" |
| Why was this such a difficult question for the Pharisees to answer? | Because they knew nothing of a Heavenly reward. They knew nothing of the two salvations. They knew nothing about Jesus taking Adam's place in death and thus purchasing Adam and his race. |
Verse 46 Expanded Bible Comments
| And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What was the impact of Jesus' question upon his opponents? | "No man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions." |