The Parable of the Marriage Feast

Mike Johnson

 In Matthew 21, Jesus presented the “Parable of the Two Sons” and the “Parable of the Wicked Husbandman” after certain chief priests and elders questioned His authority (21:23).  After hearing these parables, they perceived that Jesus was talking about them (21:45) and wanted to arrest Him, but they did not do so as they feared the people.  Jesus then presented the “Parable of the Marriage Feast,” recorded in Matthew 22:1-14.  There are valuable lessons to learn from this parable.

The parable begins with Jesus saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son.”  The NASB uses the expression “marriage feast.”  The “king” represents God, while the “son” is symbolic of Christ.

The First Two Invitations

Verses 3-6 contain the first two invitations and the rejections.  Concerning the first invitation, verse three says that the king sent his servants “to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.”  The invitation was treated with indifference by those invited, so the king then issued the second invitation (v. 4).  This invitation was more urgent as the king said,”. . . Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.”  The second invitation did not bring a positive reaction, either.  Some made light of it and went to their business pursuits, while others carried their cold indifference even further.  Verse six says, “. . . And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.”

The issuing of the first invitation (v. 3) probably represents the ministry of Christ.  It may include the work of John the Baptist, the apostles, and other disciples — such as the 70 — (Lk. 10:17-20) during this time frame.

The second invitation and rejection may refer to the teaching about Christ and His church, carried out by the apostles and other inspired teachers after the resurrection of Christ.  Included is the time frame up to the events described in verse seven.  Verse seven speaks of the king now being angered and says, “. . . And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.”  This part is a probable reference to the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in 70 A.D.

In the early days of the church, there was a lot of persecution against the church.  In Acts, we can read of the death of Stephen and James.  We can also learn about oppression and mistreatment against the early Christians, as many Jews rejected Christ and His church.

The Third Invitation

The king’s next reaction was to offer a third invitation.   The first group asked was not worthy.  Verse 9 says, “Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.”  Verse 10 says, “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” This invitation refers to the acceptance of the gospel by the Gentiles.  Of these, both good and bad were invited.  Doing this would not mean that misconduct would be acceptable for those who enter Christ.  Instead, it is saying that everyone, regardless of character, would have a chance to attend.  The idea is that salvation is open to all who submit to God’s will (2 Pet. 3:8-10).

The Judgment

The final scene is in verses 11-14.  The king came in to see his guests, and one did not have on a wedding garment.  Spiritually, the man without the wedding garment would represent those who have responded to God’s invitation but will be unprepared on Judgment day.  In the parable, the king asked, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?”  The guest did not know what to say and did not have an excuse.  So the king ordered him to cast into outer darkness.  All of this, no doubt, pictures the final Judgment.  Jesus concluded by saying, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” 

Today, you have an invitation to the “marriage feast.”  How will you respond?