Jesus's declaration "many are called, but few are chosen" uniquely combines divine sovereignty with human responsibility, appearing only here and Matthew 20:16 in identical phrasing.
Matthew 22
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
1Jesus answered and spoke to them again in parables, saying,
2“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a wedding feast for his son,
3and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.
4Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding feast!”’
5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise;
6and the rest grabbed his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them.
7When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
8“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t worthy.
9Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the wedding feast.’
10Those servants went out into the highways and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests.
11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing,
12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless.
13Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’
14For many are called, but few chosen.”
Paying Taxes to Caesar
15Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
16They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and teach the way of God in truth, no matter whom you teach; for you aren’t partial to anyone.
17Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?
19Show me the tax money.” They brought to him a denarius.
20He asked them, “Whose is this image and inscription?”
21They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
22When they heard it, they marveled, and left him and went away.
Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection
23On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,
24saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’
25Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother.
26In the same way, the second also, and the third, to the seventh.
27After them all, the woman died.
28In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her.”
29But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.
30For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven.
31But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,
32‘I 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.”
33When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
The Great Commandment
34But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together.
35One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him.
36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”
37Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38This is the first and great commandment.
39A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
Whose Son Is the Christ?
41Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question,
42saying, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “Of David.”
43He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,
44‘The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?
45“If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”
46No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.
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Theme
Matthew 22 presents Jesus responding to mounting opposition through a parable about God's kingdom invitation and three challenging questions from religious leaders. The chapter begins with the parable of the wedding feast, illustrating how God's invitation extends beyond Israel to all people, yet requires proper preparation. Jesus then masterfully answers trap questions about taxes, resurrection, and the greatest commandment, before silencing his opponents by questioning them about the Messiah's identity.
Context
This chapter continues the escalating conflict between Jesus and religious authorities that began in chapter 21, setting up the extended critique of religious leadership in chapter 23.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-14 The Parable of the Wedding Feast Jesus tells of a king whose wedding invitation is rejected by the original guests, leading to judgment and invitation of others.
- 15-22 Paying Taxes to Caesar Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus with a question about Roman taxation, but he responds with wisdom about dual obligations.
- 23-33 Sadducees Question the Resurrection Sadducees pose a hypothetical scenario about marriage in the afterlife, which Jesus uses to affirm resurrection and correct their understanding.
- 34-40 The Greatest Commandment A Pharisee tests Jesus about the most important commandment, receiving the summary of love for God and neighbor.
- 41-46 Jesus Questions the Pharisees Jesus turns the tables by asking the Pharisees about the Messiah's identity, silencing them with his response.
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
22:1–22:14 gospel parable-telling warning
Jesus teaches through a parable about a wedding feast that many are invited to God's kingdom, but few are chosen, emphasizing proper preparation and response.
person_contrast
Jesus's declaration "many are called, but few are chosen" uniquely combines divine sovereignty with human responsibility, appearing only here and Matthew 20:16 in identical phrasing.
Paying Taxes to Caesar
22:15–22:22 gospel dialogue contemplative
Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, but he wisely responds that both earthly and divine authorities deserve their due.
person_contrast
Jesus's famous "render unto Caesar" response uniquely positions him as both political pragmatist and divine authority, the only Gospel passage where he explicitly validates earthly government while asserting God's ultimate sovereignty.
Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection
22:23–22:33 gospel dialogue contemplative
Sadducees challenge Jesus about resurrection with a hypothetical scenario, but Jesus corrects their misunderstanding by explaining that resurrection life transcends earthly marriage and affirming God's power over death.
quotation_chain
Jesus transforms Exodus 3:6's present-tense declaration "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" into proof that patriarchs remain alive, making God's self-identification a resurrection argument.
The Great Commandment
22:34–22:40 gospel dialogue solemn
A Pharisee lawyer tests Jesus by asking about the greatest commandment, and Jesus responds that love of God and neighbor summarizes all law and prophets.
quotation_chain
Jesus uniquely combines Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18—separated by centuries and contexts—creating the first recorded pairing of these love commandments in Jewish literature.
Whose Son Is the Christ?
22:41–22:46 gospel dialogue contemplative
Jesus questions the Pharisees about the Messiah's identity, using David's psalm to demonstrate that the Christ is more than just David's descendant, silencing his opponents.
quotation_chain
Jesus transforms Psalm 110:1 from a royal enthronement text into a christological riddle, forcing the Pharisees to confront how David's "son" can simultaneously be David's "Lord.
Insights
Jesus's famous "render unto Caesar" response uniquely positions him as both political pragmatist and divine authority, the only Gospel passage where he explicitly validates earthly government while asserting God's ultimate sovereignty.
Jesus transforms Exodus 3:6's present-tense declaration "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" into proof that patriarchs remain alive, making God's self-identification a resurrection argument.
Jesus uniquely combines Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18—separated by centuries and contexts—creating the first recorded pairing of these love commandments in Jewish literature.
Jesus transforms Psalm 110:1 from a royal enthronement text into a christological riddle, forcing the Pharisees to confront how David's "son" can simultaneously be David's "Lord.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Matthew 22:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 18:23 Lexical
Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
Matthew 25:1 Lexical
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 13:24 Lexical
He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field,
Revelation 17:12 Lexical
The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings with t…
Matthew 19:12 Lexical
For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by me…
Matthew 22:3 1 reference
Matthew 22:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 14:17 Lexical
He sent out his servant at supper time to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready now.’
Mark 12:4 Lexical
Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefu…
Matthew 21:36 Lexical
Again, he sent other servants more than the first; and they treated them the same way.
Acts 14:13 Lexical
The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have m…
Matthew 25:10 Lexical
While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and th…
Matthew 22:8 2 references
Matthew 22:10 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 18:28 Lexical
“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him and…
Matthew 25:26 Lexical
“But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where…
Acts 11:26 Lexical
When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and ta…
Matthew 18:32 Lexical
Then his lord called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Luke 14:23 Lexical
“The lord said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be fi…
Matthew 22:11 1 reference
Matthew 22:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 8:12 Lexical
but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.…
Matthew 25:30 Lexical
Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Luke 13:28 Lexical
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, a…
Matthew 24:51 Lexical
and will cut him in pieces and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth…
Matthew 13:42 Lexical
and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 22:14 1 reference
Matthew 22:15 5 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 12:14 Lexical
But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how they might destroy him.
Mark 3:6 Lexical
The Pharisees went out, and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
Acts 25:12 Lexical
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”
Matthew 15:12 Lexical
Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
Matthew 22:16 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 12:14 Lexical
When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t par…
Luke 20:21 Lexical
They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach th…
Luke 7:27 Lexical
This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’
Matthew 11:10 Lexical
For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before y…
John 21:24 Lexical
This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.
Matthew 22:17 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 12:14 Lexical
When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t par…
Luke 20:22 Lexical
Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
Matthew 17:25 Lexical
He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the…
Luke 12:51 Lexical
Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division.
John 13:29 Lexical
For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or t…
Matthew 22:20 2 references
Matthew 22:23 4 references
Lexicals 4
Luke 20:27 Lexical
Some of the Sadducees came to him, those who deny that there is a resurrection.
Matthew 16:1 Lexical
The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
Acts 23:8 Lexical
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.
Mark 12:18 Lexical
Some Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, came to him. They asked him, saying,
Matthew 22:24 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 20:28 Lexical
They asked him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies having a wife, and he is childless, his brother…
Mark 12:19 Lexical
“Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his bro…
Mark 12:20 Lexical
There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.
Mark 12:22 Lexical
and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died.
Luke 16:31 Lexical
“He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the d…
Matthew 22:25 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 12:20 Lexical
There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring.
Mark 12:22 Lexical
and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died.
Mark 12:19 Lexical
“Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his bro…
Luke 20:29 Lexical
There were therefore seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died childless.
Mark 6:17 Lexical
For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s…
Matthew 22:27 1 reference
Matthew 22:28 2 references
Matthew 22:29 1 reference
Matthew 22:30 2 references
Matthew 22:31 4 references
Lexicals 4
Mark 12:26 Lexical
But about the dead, that they are raised, haven’t you read in the book of Moses about the Bush, how God spoke to him, sa…
Acts 17:32 Lexical
Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning…
Acts 24:21 Lexical
unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being ju…
Acts 23:6 Lexical
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and…
Matthew 22:32 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 20:37 Lexical
But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isa…
Mark 12:26 Lexical
But about the dead, that they are raised, haven’t you read in the book of Moses about the Bush, how God spoke to him, sa…
Acts 7:32 Lexical
‘I am the God of your fathers: the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Moses trembled and dared not…
Acts 3:13 Lexical
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and…
Luke 13:28 Lexical
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, a…
Matthew 22:33 2 references
Matthew 22:34 2 references
Matthew 22:37 5 references
Lexicals 4
Mark 12:30 Lexical
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength…
1 Peter 1:22 Lexical
Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, lo…
Luke 10:27 Lexical
He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with…
Mark 12:33 Lexical
and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his…
Matthew 22:39 2 references
Matthew 22:40 1 reference
Matthew 22:42 1 reference
Matthew 22:43 1 reference
Matthew 22:44 5 references
Lexicals 5
Hebrews 1:13 Lexical
But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your…
Mark 12:36 Lexical
For David himself said in the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies t…
Luke 20:43 Lexical
until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.”’
Acts 2:35 Lexical
until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’
Hebrews 10:13 Lexical
from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet.
Matthew 22:45 4 references
Lexicals 4
Luke 20:44 Lexical
“David therefore calls him Lord, so how is he his son?”
Mark 12:35 Lexical
Jesus responded, as he taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?
Luke 20:41 Lexical
He said to them, “Why do they say that the Christ is David’s son?
Luke 1:32 Lexical
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
Matthew 22:46 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 12:34 Lexical
When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any q…
Luke 23:9 Lexical
He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers.
Matthew 24:36 Lexical
“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mark 13:32 Lexical
“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
John 5:19 Lexical
Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Fath…
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