Matthew 22 - Parable of The Wedding Feast
Here we are going to cover the parable of the wedding feast. Jesus teaches us the greatest commandment that covers the first five commandments, and the second greatest commandment that covers the last five commandments.
1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, Here we are going to cover the parable of the wedding feast. The reason Christ spoke in parables is because it was not meant for everyone to hear at that time. (Matthew 13:10-11, Mark 4:33-34). Christ came as savior, it was not time for them to know the full truth yet. (Luke 8:10).
2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, This is the wedding story as an example on how to prepare for the kingdom of God.
3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. The majority would not come when His servants invited them. Just as many servants (prophets), were sent before Christ, and no one accepted them. (John the Baptist was sent by God, but they rejected him).
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. All things were made ready by the King for the feast. Just as God has made everything ready for the Kingdom and the wedding feast for Christ. (Luke 14:17). The Son paid the price and we are all invited to the marriage of the Lamb. We are like the servants who invite people to the wedding when we share the Gospel with others. Will they listen, will they accept the invitation?
5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: They just ignored the calling and went on with their professions making money. "No time for God." To busy making money and partying. (1 Timothy 6:9-10). Common in the world today when you try to bring one the truth. They may listen to you just to be kind, but as soon as the conversation is over, they are right back to their worldly ways. (1 John 2:15-16).
6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. The messengers were treated shamefully, some beat and killed. Many were treated this way in the past trying to bring forth the message of God. You will be treated much the same way when you teach the truth. (Matthew 5:11, 10:17-18, John 15:19-20). "Many people can't handle the truth, and will disregard what they have heard."
7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. God does not like murderers, and they will pay for their actions. (Possibly speaking of the coming destruction of Jerusalem fulfilled in 70 AD by Titus).
8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Those invited and refused are not worthy of the wedding. "They will not be worth of the Kingdom or to stand before Christ." (Luke 21:36). Spiritually speaking, there was no wedding at the first advent, but there will be at the second advent when Christ returns.
9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. Go to the streets and invite everyone you see. "Those who will take interest and seek the truth." (Proverbs 9:4-6, Isaiah 55:6, Mark 16:15-16). Reference to the wedding feast of the Lamb at the second advent. (Revelation 19:7-8, 22:17).
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. The servants brought in everyone they could find. (The good, the bad, the ugly). They excepted the invitation, believed and repented, and attended the wedding. (Matthew 25:10).
11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: Spiritually speaking, the robe being the righteous acts of God's children. (Revelation 19:8).
12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. The man had no righteous acts, so he had no reply. He had no repentance, so he had no salvation. (Isaiah 61:10).
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. Just as it will happen to many who will face the second death. (Revelation 20:12-15).
14For many are called, but few are chosen. You may have been called, but called to what? Are you called to truth, or traditions of men and church doctrine? God does not want us to follow the ways of the world, their philosophies, or traditions of men. (Colossians 2:8). "Follow Christ."
15Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. The Pharisees were going to try and trick Christ into saying something they could arrest Him for. "No way!"
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. The Herodians were a Jewish political party and government officials (Supportive of the Herod kings), and there power came from Rome which ruled over them. The Herodians are trying their best to butter up Jesus and trap Him.
17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar? Keep in mind that there were Jews that worked for Rome who were tax collectors. Matthew was a tax collector. (Matthew 9:9). The tax collectors were required to pay a certain set tax to Rome for each person they collected from. (Anything over that amount that they collected they could keep for themselves). The Jews didn't like the idea that they had to pay a taxes to a foreign power (Rome). If Jesus says that the people should pay the tax, the crowds will be upset. If Jesus says that the people should not pay taxes to Caesar, the Herodians would be upset and arrest Jesus. (That's what they were looking for). Lets see how Jesus handles their question.
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Hypocrites, phony play actors, "who are you trying to fool with your trick question?"
19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. Show me a coin from your pouch.
20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? Who's name is beneath the picture Jesus asked?
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. Give to Caesar if it is his, and give to God everything that belongs to God. Always pay your taxes and stay legal. This protects your right to serve God. (Romans 13:7). Keep in mind that God has His image on us also, after all, we were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), and we belong to Him. Giving our life and good works to God is like rendering unto God what is His.
22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. His reply amazed the government officials and they went away. Always let the Holy Spirit give you the wisdom to answer hard questions. (Luke 21:15, Acts 6:10, Colossians 4:6).
23The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Jesus handled the Pharisees, now come here comes the Sadducees. The high priests who did not believe in the resurrection. They only believed that the first five books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch), were inspired by God. They knew the Old Testament and the Law of Moses. Well, at least they think they did. Lets see if they can trap Jesus?
24Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. The Sadducees are going to try and butter up Jesus by addressing Him as Master (great teacher). Raise up: Strong's G450 "anistemi," to stand, arise, lift up, raise up. (Referring to the resurrection). "Possibly making a little fun of those who believe in the resurrection." (Their idea of resurrection here involves the raising up of offspring). They asked Him a question from the "Law of Moses." (Deuteronomy 25:5-10).
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: Here we have a family of seven brothers, and the first of them married and died without children, so the widow became the second brother's wife.
26Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. This brother also died without children, and the wife was passed to the next brother, and so on till she became the wife of all seven brothers.
27And last of all the woman died also. After all the passing around, then the woman finally died.
28Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. They wanted to know who's wife she would be in the resurrection. (Poking a little fun at an unusual situation).
29Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. Jesus answers the Sadducees; your problem is that you don't know the scriptures. God has the power to do whatever He wills. He can raise the dead and is the God of the living. (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Luke 1:37, Acts 26:8). "They had no clue of the real power of God." Their error was their ignorance of the scriptures, they thought they knew it all. (Romans 15:4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Did you ever come across someone like that? One who thinks they have all the answers in God's word? The Word is constantly growing, and no one has all the answers. That's why we are doing this book of Matthew the second time around. Every time we cover a book of the bible, we discover new meanings and mysteries that the Holy Spirit reveals to those who are willing to learn.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. In the resurrection there is no marriage; everyone is as the angels in heaven. (Spiritual bodies, angelic beings). We are spiritually married to the Lamb. (Luke 20:34-37). Even Moses (whom the Sadducees believed), knew He was a God of the living. (Mark 12:26-27).
31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, Don't you ever read the scriptures? It is written.
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. God of the living. Not I was, "I Am," the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Exodus 3:6, 15-16). They are still alive in their spirit bodies, that is why He is the "God of the living."
33And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. Astonished at His teachings because it was written.
34But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. The Pharisees who believed in life after death were feeling pretty good now because they felt they were on the right track and that the Sadducees were totally wrong. However, they met together to question Jesus again. (They are going to double team Jesus now).
35Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Now here comes their best scripture lawyer (religious scholar), to try and trip up Jesus again. "Not a chance!"
36Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Which is the most important command in the law of Moses. Trying to trip up God on His own 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. This covers the first five commandments. (the spiritual commandments).
38This is the first and great commandment. This first greatest commandment refers to and covers the first five commandments.
39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. All the last five commandments are covered with this statement. (the civil commandments).
40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Christ covered all the ten commandments in these two commandments. (all the law of the prophets are fulfilled in these two commandments). Jesus, always so wise in His answers. Fulfilling these two commandments, fulfils all the commandments. If you love God, you won't break the first five commandments. (Deuteronomy 5:7-16). If you love your neighbor, you won't break the last five commandments. (Deuteronomy 5:17-21).
41While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Remember that the Pharisees believed in life after death, so they felt they had something in common with the teachings of Christ. Jesus turns the table on them and asked them a question.
42Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David. It was know to them that the Messiah would come from the line of David. (The human part). They replied, "the son of David." However, they did not want to believe that Christ was the Son of God. (The spiritual part). So, Jesus responds to their answer.
43He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, Then why does David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, call Him Lord?
44The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? For David said, "God said to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I put your enemies beneath you feet." Quoting from (Psalm 110:1).
45If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? Since David called Him "Lord," how can He be merely his Son? The messiah would be the "Son of God." (John 8:58, Romans 1:3-4, Revelation 22:16). Jesus is a descendant of David through his mother Mary, however, He is also the Son of God, born of a virgin.
46And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions. They had no answers. After that no one dared ask Him any more questions. They still didn't get it; He was the Son of Man, as well as the Son of God.
Keep the faith,
Barton
