10 Sep (Matthew 22)

The Gospels: The Parable of the Wedding Feast

Matthew 22:1-14

There is much debate about the true meaning of this parable. I will give what I believe is true after reading many different (and sometimes contradicting) scholarly interpretations on this. But I must remind everyone to remember Acts 17:11 to read and study God's Word for yourself, and see what God is telling you!

(v.2) The King is the Father, and the Son is Jesus

(v.3) The servants are the Jewish prophets

(v.7) The people are the Jews, and their indifference to heed God's Word angered God, and He used Israel's enemies to bring war and hardship upon them. As we know, they would then repent and come back to God, but the cycle continued to happen.

(v.8) God came first for His chosen people...the Jews. Matt 15:24

However, they rejected Him and crucified Him. So God reached out to the Gentiles and the world.

(v.10) Doesn't this describe God's Church? We are all sinners, and we come from different lands and languages, but together, we are His Bride!

(v.11) This is where good scholars have disagreed. Some say that all here are saved, but only the over-comers and faithful enjoy the feast. Others say that this man was not saved, and part of his eternal torment, will be seeing what he gave up out of his own pride on earth, by refusing to accept the King's Son.

One thing to start with, in Jewish culture, when a man invites guests in those days, he would wash their feet when they came, and he would offer a coat for them to wear. This would be the equivalent to having a backstage pass hanging from our neck...it meant we were invited and welcome.

If we read other Scripture, we see that the wedding garment is white...and that describes the Bride of Christ. Rev 6:11 & 19:14

I believe this parable is speaking of those that aren't saved, who don't have their white garments on as the Bride of Christ does in heaven...he is an unbeliever. The tragedy of all of this, is he could have been welcomed, but his pride on earth prevented him from believing in God's Son.

(v.12) ...and he was speechless...this is the effect upon all who face God at the Great White Throne of Judgment. They will realize their folly and their pride, and know that they chose foolishly.

(v.13) If we read all the parables that Jesus spoke, the outer darkness is not considered a part of heaven. After all, does heaven sound like a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth? And with God's presence in heaven, will there be any darkness? I don't believe that this man was saved, and part of his eternal torment, was to see what he missed by his pride.