Matthew 22:1 Commentary and Bible Study

(Synoptics: Matthew 22:1-14)This parable is only recorded by Matthew. It is given in the last week of Christ’s earthly life, and contains strong warnings to those who make light of the kingdom of heaven, and refuse God’s invitation. It is addressed primarily to the Jews, but is applicable far beyond them, and it is a gospel parable to be preached throughout the church age. It lays out the bounty and goodness of God, the unworthy and unreasonable response of man to his grace, and God’s determination that his blessings should be experienced by others, if those first invited refuse to come; it also includes a special element about the need to come to God in the righteousness of Christ and not in our own righteousness. It brings out God’s kindness, but also it cautions us. It is about God, the holy one, wronged by us, because we have turned from him; then it is about the Son. What brings them into a focus is the wedding feast, given by the Father for his Son. It is a very easy parable to interpret.What is the kingdom of heaven like? What could you compare it to on earth, that would give a realistic picture of it? What illustrates its chief features, and represents those who are inside and those who are outside? Christ chooses an occasion which all would naturally desire to be part of: a lavish marriage feast, and no ordinary marriage. This is the king’s son; this is the most noble wedding in the land. Who would not want to be invited to it? The king loves his son, and will do everything to honour him. All must be of the highest standard; no expense will be spared; the occasion will be unrivalled in the history of the kingdom. But who will be invited to such an honoured occasion? Who is worthy to come? It is obvious that the king is God, seen here as ruler over a country. He has only one son, and that son is to be married in a ceremony that will stir all the land. Christ speaks in this parable of himself. He is not a Son as we might understand, for he is equal in every respect with his Father. There is one God: three distinct persons, closely related, all having the same divine attributes. Why is the Son of God presented to us as a son to be married? Scripture tells us the answer often. He is to be seen as a groom, taking a wife to be his forever. It is a picture of Christ and his bride, the church. In their culture, the groom provided everything, the bride nothing; she just looked beautiful. In fact, Christ does all that is necessary for our salvation. The bridegroom is perfect for describing Christ. But the parable focuses on the wedding celebration, the banquet and the privileged guests. The feast is Christ’s picture of the blessings which God has prepared for us, if we respond to the message of the gospel. It is a great picture of plenty. Maybe there were hundreds, maybe thousands invited, and they will never eat so much. You could not go to such a wedding and find shortage. That would be to the endless shame of the king – a penny-pinching royal banquet!