What Is the Parable of the Wedding Feast?
What Is the Parable of the Wedding Feast? The Parable of the Wedding Feast teaches that many are invited to God's kingdom, but only those who accept the invitation and wear the proper garment enter in.
Key verse: Matthew 22:2-3 (KJV)
The Parable of the Wedding Feast teaches that many are invited to God's kingdom, but only those who accept the invitation and wear the proper garment enter in.
The Parable of the Wedding Feast teaches that many are invited to God's kingdom, but only those who accept the invitation and wear the proper garment enter in.
"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come." — Matthew 22:2-3 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a king who prepared a wedding feast for his son. He sent servants to call those who were invited, but they refused to come — some went to their farms and businesses, others seized and killed the servants. The king sent his armies and destroyed the murderers, then told his servants to invite anyone they could find, both good and bad, until the wedding hall was filled. But when the king saw a man without a wedding garment, he had him bound and cast into outer darkness. The parable is stark: the original invitees — Israel's religious leaders — rejected the Messiah; the Gentiles are brought in. Yet mere attendance is not enough — one must be clothed in the righteousness of Christ. To refuse the garment is to refuse grace itself.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Salvation?
What the Bible teaches about salvation, being saved, and how to receive eternal life.
Key Scripture References
"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come."
"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless."
"For many are called, but few are chosen."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Parable of the Ten Virgins?
The Parable of the Ten Virgins warns believers to be spiritually prepared and watchful, for Christ's return will come at an unexpected hour.
What Is the Kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God is the sovereign rule of God over all creation, manifested in Christ's reign and extending to the hearts of all who submit to Him.
What Is the Passion of Christ?
The Passion of Christ refers to the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus — the events that secured salvation for all who believe.
What Is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week before His resurrection, when crowds waved palm branches and cried 'Hosanna!'
What Year Did Jesus Die?
Most scholars place the crucifixion of Jesus in either AD 30 or AD 33, with AD 33 being the most commonly accepted date.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is the Parable of the Wedding Feast?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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