In 2025 we're working our way through the gospels and invite you to join us as we seek to learn from Jesus. Find all our notes, from this year and past years, at the Faith Food tab. And if you'd like ideas for suggested pacing, download our March calendar. Welcome, friends, we're so glad you're journeying with us. Let's grow together!

Our notes on Matthew 22 include:

An Overview: Topic, Themes, and Summary.
An Outline Of our thoughts and questions.
Exploration Of the greatest commandment.
A Reflection On the never-ending celebration.
An Invitation to Respond to God's invitation.

Matthew 22

Rose Petals by Hans at Pixabay

Overview

General Topic

Jesus teaches that accepting the Father's invitation and authority is of primary importance, everything else is inconsequential.

Key Themes

Grace. Sincerity. Authority.

Summary

Through a story of a wedding feast, Jesus portrays God's grace and our response to it. While His grace is available to all, our responses vary from violent rejection to disinterested dismissal to reluctant acceptance to sincere attendance. Jesus' understanding of moral conduct and spiritual reasoning is tested in a cross-examination by the Pharisees and Sadducees. In the end, they leave speechless and question Him no more.

Outline

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, ! a connection, and x a cross reference. Researched answers are in italics. *R communicates that in-depth research follows.

On the Parable of the Marriage Feast (Matthew 22:1-14)

In another Kingdom of Heaven parable, Jesus describes a wedding feast. The groom's Father invites the expected guests.

? Who is Jesus addressing here? Is it still the priests carried over from the previous chapter, because it seemed like that conversation ended? Or, is Jesus addressing the general population here?
🎵He brought me to His banqueting table - His banner over me is love🎶("His Banner over Me is Love" performed by The Acappella Company)
? Was it typical in this culture for the groom's family to host the wedding feast? Because it's the bride's family that hosts in our culture.
? Who is the bride? The church?

But the expected guests ignored the invitation. A group of invitees even killed the servants who were sent.

? What is God inviting me into and how am I responding?
! Just like in the parable of the tenants, the servants sent are killed. Matthew 21:33-46 (See our Matthew 21 notes.)
? Who do the servants represent? The prophets? John? The disciples?

The King avenged His servants, destroying even the murderer's hometown.

* Divine justice. Beyond, perhaps, what we think is fair, but it is God's right to determine.

Prepared for the celebration, but with no guests, the Father sent more servants [*disciples?] to invite anyone and everyone.

? Does this allude to when the disciples were sent to minister to the lost sheep of Israel? Matthew 10:5-15 (Browse our Matthew 10 notes.)

So, the servants gathered everyone, good and bad, who was willing to attend and filled the wedding hall.

x Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. Matthew 13:47-48 KJV
! You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies... Psalm 23:5 AMP
? Am I willing to attend?
! "One thing I'm sure of: it'll be the motley lot of us, the formerly broken and seemingly hopeless; the formerly paralyzed, sick, and heartbroken; former strugglers, and sinners, and bumblers; all of us, together. And we'll be dancing. In fact, I can't wait. I'm starting now." - Brant Hansen. Life is Hard God is Good Let's Dance

The King, greeting His guests, noticed one not properly attired.

? Why did the King call Him "Friend"?

x But the owner of the estate replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Matthew 20:13 AMP (See our Matthew 20 notes.)
x Jesus said to Judas, "Friend, do what you came for." Then they came and seized Jesus and arrested Him. Matthew 26:50 AMP

Notably, these are the only three uses of "Friend" in the New Testament. - Bible Hub
! In each example, the person committing the offense is addressed as "Friend."

? Why did the clothes he wear matter?

* In each example of a "Friend" (given above^) the person agreed, either explicitly (as to the wage), or implicitly (by attending the banquet; by becoming a disciple) to the Master's/King's/Jesus' expectations. In this case, it would be expected to dress appropriately.
* When we accept God's invitation, we agree to abide by His expectations.
It is possible clothes were provided for the attendees. What's more, the guards should not have allowed him entry if he was dressed inappropriately. If the first invitees represent the Jews, this guest represents followers who are unprepared (or insincere). - NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
x The LORD God made tunics of [animal] skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them. Genesis 3:21 AMP
! Read more about why clothes matter to God and why to choose scarlet.

When questioned, the ill-attired guest gave no answer. So, the King bound him and threw him out into darkness.

* Though this idea seems extreme to me, I'm reminded of the idea of Heaven and hell and of the entire town that burned for the actions of a few. God's justice is His.
! "Weeping and gnashing of teeth" is equivalent to stomping off in rebellion to God's authority (from "Living in the Reality of the Two Paths" by Grant Agler.) *Which fits with what it means symbolically to refuse to dress appropriately.
! Hell is really being kept away from God's presence, *in utter darkness. (from "Living in the Reality of the Two Paths" by Grant Agler.)

Because even though he was invited, this guest attended insincerely.

x ...for many be called, but few chosen. Matthew 20:16 (Our version comparison for this verse.)
? If many are called, but few are chosen, shouldn't more be thrown out?
* You accepted the invitation, now do your part.

x Bring your loaves and fish [all that you have] so He can multiply them abundantly. (Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 15:32-37, and our research on the differences between the two.)
x Bring your sword [your talents; your best effort] and trust Him with the outcome in complete confidence. Judges 7:12-22

On Taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22)

Still trying to trap Jesus, the Pharisees ask Him if people should pay tribute tax to Caesar.

? Who are the Herodians? Spies. - Jameson Fausset Brown commentary on Mark 12:13

x Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. Matthew 12:14 KJV (See our Matthew 12 notes.)
x So they watched [for a chance to trap] Him. They sent spies who pretended to be upright and sincere, in order that they might catch Him in some statement [that they could distort and use against Him], so that they could turn Him over to the control and authority of [Pilate] the governor. Luke 20:20 AMP
People who were loyal to Herod. *Which makes sense that they would ask this question to set the trap with people loyal to Herod in the audience. If He answered against Herod, immediately they would report the offense. - The Voice

* Jesus was already similarly tested. In Capernaum, He was challenged to pay the temple tax. Jesus charged Peter with catching a fish with the money in its mouth so they could pay it. Matthew 17:24-27 (Explore this story with us.)

They know that Jesus believes in impartiality. (Paying tribute implies subservience. So, the Pharisees assume He would recommend people not pay it).

x My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of partiality [toward people - show no favoritism, no prejudice, no snobbery]. James 2:1 AMP
* Paying a tribute tax is esteeming one person as greater than another.

Jesus calls them on their trickery and asks that a coin is brought to Him. After identifying that it is Caesar's face on the coin, Jesus concludes that Caesar should be given what belongs to him, just as God should be given what belongs to God.

* We are made in the image of God. We bear His image. Therefore, it is right that we return and surrender ourselves to Him. (Read more about this idea in our Proverbs 31:31 notes.)

The Pharisees leave dumbfounded.

? What shocked them more, that He didn't deny Caesar the tax or the implication behind giving to God what is God's?

On Resurrected Life (Matthew 22:23-33)

Next, the Sadducees question Jesus regarding resurrection because they do not believe in it.

? Why would they ask about resurrection if they don't believe in it? * Because if Jesus is not able to produce a reasonable answer, it would prove their belief. The Sadducees frequently posed impossible conundrums such as this to the Pharisees as arguments to justify their beliefs. - NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible

They wonder, if a woman marries seven men on earth, to whom will she be married in heaven.

In heaven, we all share one husband. Collectively, we are the Bride of Christ, and our husband is Jesus. (Read more about the Church as the Bride of Christ.)
x And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. Isaiah 4:1 KJV (See our thoughts on this verse.)
? Is marriage after resurrection addressed elsewhere?

Jesus first clarifies that the Sadducees knowledge is lacking; they know neither scripture nor the power of God which is evident by their rejection of resurrection.
Second, Jesus nullifies their argument. There will be no need for offspring in heaven, so marriage will be inconsequential.

* This argument is not about the continuance of human relationships that we began on earth, but rather about which one of the seven husbands she would produce offspring with. The answer is none of them because no more offspring will be produced in heaven.

He ends decisively: God is God of the living, so resurrection is truth.
The crowds, again, were speechless.

On the Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:34-40)

The Pharisees return with another tactic. They ask which commandment is the greatest.

? How is this a test? * Perhaps I fail to see how controversial this question was because as a modern Christian I am used to this answer. *R
In those days, there were two schools of Rabbinic philosophy: Hillel and Shammai. Shammai favored obedience and Hillel favored love. Jesus' philosophy nearly always aligned with, and often went even further than, Hillel’s - Asking Better Questions of the Bible, pp. 142-146

Jesus replied, "Love God closely followed by loving people. All other writings (the Law - Pentateuch - and the prophets - essentially the rest of the Old Testament) point to these two commandments.” (See our research on how Jesus fulfilled the law.)

On the Fatherhood of the Messiah (Matthew 22:41-45)

Then, Jesus poses an argument of His own. He asks, "Who is the father of the Messiah?”
"David" is the response.
"Then how”, Jesus asks, "could David call the Messiah 'Lord'?" He then quotes Psalm 110:1.

? Would the Pharisees see this Psalm as a Messianic reference? *They must because they do not offer a rebuttal.
This Psalm regards Melchizedek, a preincarnate appearance of Jesus. NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible (See fact five for more about Melchizedek.)
? What is the significance of this argument? After all, David is still Jesus' human ancestor. Is it because it proves Jesus' divinity, that God is actually His Father? Were people expecting a strictly human Messiah? *Based on Jesus’ argument and how stunned the people were, I would guess yes. They anticipated the Messiah would be fully human, but not also fully God.

Everyone was speechless and stopped challenging Jesus.

Exploration

How was the lawyer's question about the greatest commandment a test? (Matthew 22:36)

Cultural Understanding

Commonly Debated Topic. The Sadducees and Pharisees were posing questions to Jesus that had previously received no satisfactory answer. The Sadducee question regarded a presumed pitfall to resurrection, and the Pharisee argument regards the prioritizing of laws. In Matthew 19:16-22 Jesus is asked a similar question by a man desiring to know how to obtain eternal life. (See our Matthew 19 notes.)
Over 600 Precepts in Existence. The Pharisees’ focus was keeping the law, but with so many precepts, they knew not all could be observed equally. So, they sorted laws into heavy and light commandments and frequently debated which laws were the greatest. This idea is not lost on us; we frequently assign differing values to our sin, even though they are all equal (James 2:10).
Greatest Law Nominees: Honoring one's parents, observing Sabbath, getting circumcised, and wearing phylacteries (boxes containing commandments that were strapped on wrists and foreheads in accordance with Deuteronomy 11:18).

*Thoughts: I can easily imagine this happening in my own life. Pick any controversial topic frequently debated amongst you and your flock. Now, imagine Jesus entering into the discussion. In five minutes or less, He'll end the debate permanently. He would! And as is true of His answer to both of these debates, I'm positive His answer would point us back to honoring and worshipping the true nature of God. In these debates, Jesus points the Sadducees to the God of the Living and the Pharisees to the God of Love. Jesus ends every argument permanently by reminding us of the only thing that matters: He is our God, and we are His people.

Sources:

NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible
Bible Hub commentaries on Matthew 22:36.

Reflection

The marriage feast of a Prince is a joyous celebration that you would think everyone would be honored to attend. Instagram would flood with pictures of official invitations.

But not in this story.

Eternal life is sought after in myriad ways by all humanity: through our accomplishments, our children, our stories. But, when we're offered an open invitation to true eternal life that will elevate our human experience beyond understanding, we shy away from it, ignore the messenger, and sometimes even work to hide all evidence of its existence.

This is our story.

Reality is the story of the wedding feast: many are called, but few are chosen.

To be chosen, you must actually attend - not just physically, but as it is written: "with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV). Anything less, and you will be thrown out of the King's presence.

See, we may think we have all the questions answered. But, unless our answers are Jesus' answers, we have it wrong. We must stop forging our own trails and instead lean in to the firm foundation that He has already laid:

There is a resurrection. God is God of the living.
The greatest law is love. Love God, closely followed by loving people.
Our acceptable tribute is surrender. He made us. We bear His image. We belong to Him.
Jesus is God's Son. He has come to save us.

Respond

Connect

God invites and He wants you to attend. He does not hide His desire or His expectations; we are the ones that fight it.

Reflect

What is God currently inviting you to attend?
How are you receiving the invitation? What is your level of acceptance: deliberate inaction, vehement opposition, reluctant acceptance, or wholehearted enthusiasm? Consider your heart (thoughts & feelings), soul (motivations), and strength (actions).
Are you wearing the right clothes? What rebellion must you first subdue so you can sincerely attend? Consider which article of clothing from the lists of clothes we are told to wear as believers you are resisting in this situation. Is it Christ's robes of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10 & Romans 13:14)? The garments of a confident bride (Proverbs 31:25)? The armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)? The clothes of God's chosen people (Colossians 3:12-13)? Pray for the piece of apparel that will most aid you in wholehearted acceptance of this invitation, choose to wrap yourself in it, and remember why you need it so you can properly attend.

Act

Arise, accept the invitation.
Arise, clothe yourself in the clothes God's gifted you.
Arise, sincerely attend in fear (honor, reverence) of God's presence.

In Closing

Father God, You are so welcoming, gracious, and loving. You invite us to dwell in Your presence eternally and You provide us with the required clothing. All we have to do is choose to wear it and attend the unending celebration that has already begun and always will be. We have a seat at Your table. Bless us deeply when we wholeheartedly accept your invitations clad in the appropriate attire while sincerely attending. Train us to keep our spirit here, in the continual celebration of Your Son hosted in Your presence. When we ignore, oppose, rebel, and argue against Your clear path, open invitation, and fathomless grace - open our eyes. Rend us of our pride. Lead us to repentance so we can return to celebrating eternity with You.

Are you ready for Matthew 23?

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