Scripture Study: Matthew 22

Matthew 22  •  8 min. read  •  grade level: 6
Matthew 22:1-141And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4Again, 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. 5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10So 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. 11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then 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. 14For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:1‑14). In the first part of this parable of the kingdom of heaven we have another view of Israel’s failure. Not this time their responsibility to bear fruit, but on the ground of grace – the grace of the gospel – which, if received, would produce fruit.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a king, which made a marriage for his son. God would have His Son honored. The Jews, the invited ones, are bidden to the wedding, but they would not come. In the second vex se the message was during the Lord’s lifetime on earth. (cf. Matt. 10:5-65These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 10:5‑6)). But it was rejected; they would not come. In the fourth verse again the message goes forth, after the death and resurrection of Christ, when the work of atonement was finished: “I have prepared My dinner”  ... “and all things are ready; come unto the marriage.” “But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.” These are only seeking their own interests and shutting God out. The rest took His servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. This is the religious opposition; the nation is hardened in its sins. Peter, in Acts 3, preached grace to the. nation, but the grace was rejected; Stephen was murdered. And because of it the King sent His armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. They, refusing grace for themselves, and also “forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway; for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost” (1 Thess. 2:15, 1615Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. (1 Thessalonians 2:15‑16); cf. Matt. 18:23-3423Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. (Matthew 18:23‑34)), are now an outcast nation, though there is still a remnant of them saved as individuals, and brought into the church (Rom. 11:55Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5); 1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)).
Matthew 22:8-98Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. (Matthew 22:8‑9). The servants are now sent to the highways (that is, the Gentiles) and gather together all, as many as they found, both bad and good; thus the wedding was furnished with guests. Whatever the character of the guests before, to be there they must have on the wedding garment, and at such an occasion this was furnished by the King. The standing of the guests depended on having it. High or low, rich or poor, religious or irreligious, moral or immoral, none are suited to the place without the wedding garment. All must be tested. This world is the robbing room; the righteousness of God put on by faith is the wedding garment. A sample is shown us of this testing. The King came in to see the guests and saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment; and He saith unto him, “Friend (he was really an enemy but is taken on his profession), how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?” He had nothing to say; no excuse, for a garment was provided; no use to say anything of his own goodness. It is. the wedding garment alone that will fit him to be there. Then said the King to the servants (not the gospel preachers this time, but the angels (Matt. 13:41-4941The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, (Matthew 13:41‑49)), “Bind him hand and foot and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The end of the empty professor is eternity with the lost; his privileges have added to his torment; he is beaten with many stripes (Luke 12:4747And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. (Luke 12:47)). The Jew will be judged by the law, and the Gentile shall perish without law (Rom. 2:1212For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (Romans 2:12)), but the Christ rejector has added to his many sins the worst of all in rejecting the Savior.
Matthew 22:1414For many are called, but few are chosen. (Matthew 22:14). “For many are called, but few are chosen.” The gospel goes out to all and may seem to bring in many. Some say, “I am a church member.” Yes, but have you taken your place as a lost sinner before God? Have you submitted yourself to God’s righteousness? (Rom. 10:33For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (Romans 10:3)). This is what marks out those who are chosen. The good news calls them, but they do not let the need into their souls. “If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Cor. 4:3, 43But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3‑4)). The marks of those chosen of God are, they own their no goodness, and believe the gospel (2 Thess. 2:13, 1413But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:13‑14)).
Matthew 22:15-2215Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16And 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. 17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21They 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. 22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. (Matthew 22:15‑22). Different classes now come forward. The Pharisees take counsel how they might entangle Him in His talk. They send their disciples with the Herodians (Herodians favored the Roman authority; Pharisees were opposed to it. Here they come together), 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. Tell us, therefore, what thinkest Thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness and said, Why tempt ye Me, ye hypocrites? Show Me the tribute money. And they brought unto Him a penny. And He saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto Him, Caesar’s. Then saith He unto them: Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they heard these words they marveled, and left Him and went their way.” Perfect in knowledge of their wickedness and want of conscience, His answer, wise and comprehensive, exposed their sin that had brought upon themselves this chastening of God. They wanted Him to renounce His claim as Messiah. or become an offender against the Roman government. He did neither, but showed them that they had, by their sin, come under this yoke, and now must bear it. Had they rendered to God what was due to Him they would not have been under Caesar. Let them render to God the things that are His, and to Caesar the things which are his (cf. Deut. 28:13, 4413And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: (Deuteronomy 28:13)
44He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. (Deuteronomy 28:44)).
Matthew 22:23-3323The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25Now 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: 26Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27And last of all the woman died also. 28Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32I 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. 33And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. (Matthew 22:23‑33). The same day the Sadducees, who profess to believe Moses, but say that there is no resurrection of the dead, came to catch Him on that question. A woman had seven husbands and no children. In the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? For they all had her. “Jesus answered them, Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saving, 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.” They are still living though dead, and will be raised again. How different from mere animals? How could the promises of God be fulfilled if the dead rise not? Their infidelity attacked the Word of God and the power of God. Jesus reminded them that what was spoken to Moses was spoken to them. What a proof is here of the abiding character of the Word of God!
Matthew 22:34-4034But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38This is the first and great commandment. 39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:34‑40). The multitude are astonished, the Sadducees are silenced, and now the Pharisees gather together. One of them, a lawyer, that is, a teacher of the law of Moses, tempting Him, said: “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” 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. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” These are the gist or substance of all the law; in keeping these, all are kept. Christ kept it perfectly; yea, went beyond it, and gave Himself for us. Could any sinner do so? No; God’s Word lays bare man’s evil and helplessness. Grace comes in where failure is owned, but that is not law.
Matthew 22:41-4641While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. (Matthew 22:41‑46). The Lord now asks them a question which brings out the position He will soon take. Could they understand it? By it they are effectually silenced. “What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He?” They say unto Him, David’s. He saith unto them, How then both David in spirit call Him Lord, saying: The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how is He His son?” Here we see the rejected Christ ascended and sitting at the right hand of God, until God gives Him the kingdom and establishes His throne in Zion. He is seated there now, and now grace is gathering out His heavenly companions. The Pharisees could not understand it, nor could the prophets (1 Peter, 1: 10-12), or they would have understood all the ways of God in His sufferings and glories. And also His glorious person, as the eternal Son of God, David’s Lord, as well as David’s son. It is our blessed portion now to know these things (1 Cor. 2:9-109But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9‑10)).
From that time they durst not ask Him any more questions.