The Parable of the Marriage Feast

Matthew 22

Matthew 22:1 And responding, Jesus again spoke to them in parables, saying:

Matthew 22:2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who was king, who celebrated a wedding for his son.

Matthew 22:3 And he sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding. But they were not willing to come.

Matthew 22:4 Again, he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell the invited: Behold, I have prepared my meal. My bulls and fatlings have been killed, and all is ready. Come to the wedding.’

Matthew 22:5 But they ignored this and they went away: one to his country estate, and another to his business.

Matthew 22:6 Yet truly, the rest took hold of his servants and, having treated them with contempt, killed them.

Matthew 22:7 But when the king heard this, he was angry. And sending out his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and he burned their city.

Matthew 22:8 Then he said to his servants: ‘The wedding, indeed, has been prepared. But those who were invited were not worthy.

Matthew 22:9 Therefore, go out to the ways, and call whomever you will find to the wedding.’

Matthew 22:10 And his servants, departing into the ways, gathered all those whom they found, bad and good, and the wedding was filled with guests.

Matthew 22:11 Then the king entered to see the guests. And he saw a man there who was not clothed in a wedding garment.

Matthew 22:12 And he said to him, ‘Friend, how is it that you have entered here without having a wedding garment?’ But he was dumbstruck.

Matthew 22:13 Then the king said to the ministers: ‘Bind his handsn and feet, and cast him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.’ ”