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22 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

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.

Again, 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.

But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

10 So 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.

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

13 Then 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.

14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.

16 And 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.

17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.

20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

21 They 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.

22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

24 Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

25 Now 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:

26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

27 And last of all the woman died also.

28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto 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.

33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The son of David.

43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,

44 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?

46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

Parable of the Marriage Feast

22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. And he sent his servants to call those who had [previously] been invited to the wedding feast, but they refused to come. Then he sent out some other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fattened calves are butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention [they disregarded the invitation, treating it with contempt] and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest [of the invited guests] seized his servants and mistreated them [insulting and humiliating them] and killed them. The king was enraged [when he heard this], and sent his soldiers and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding [feast] is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. So go to the main highways that lead out of the city, and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 Those servants went out into the streets and gathered together all the people they could find, both bad and good; so the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests [sitting at the banquet table].

11 “But when the king came in to see the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed [appropriately] in wedding clothes, 12 and he said, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without wearing the wedding clothes [that were provided for you]?’ And the man was speechless and without excuse. 13 Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the darkness outside; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].’ 14 For many are called (invited, summoned), but few are chosen.”

Tribute to Caesar

15 Then the Pharisees went and conspired together plotting how to trap Him by [distorting] what He said.(A) 16 They sent their disciples to Him, along with the [a]Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are sincere and that You teach the way of God truthfully, without concerning Yourself about [what] anyone [thinks or says of Your teachings]; for You are impartial and do not seek anyone’s favor [and You treat all people alike, regardless of status]. 17 Tell us then, what do You think? Is it permissible [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay a [b]poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, asked, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a denarius [a day’s wage]. 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “[[c]The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard this, they were caught off guard, and they left Him and went away.

Jesus Answers the Sadducees

23 On that day some Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection [of the dead], came to Him and asked Him a question,(B) 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, leaving no children, his brother as next of kin shall [d]marry his widow, and raise children for his brother.’(C) 25 Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother. 26 The second also [died childless], and the third, down to the seventh. 27 Last of all, the woman died. 28 So in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had married her.”

29 But Jesus replied to them, “You are all wrong because you know neither the Scriptures [which teach the resurrection] nor the power of God [for He is able to raise the dead]. 30 For in the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage, but they are like angels in heaven [who do not marry nor produce children]. 31 But as to the resurrection of the dead—have you not read [in the Scripture] what God said to you: 32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”(D) 33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.

34 Now when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced (muzzled) the Sadducees, they gathered together.(E) 35 One of them, a lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law], asked Jesus a question, to test Him: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”(F) 37 And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’(G) 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’(H) 40 The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

41 Now while the Pharisees were [still] gathered together, Jesus asked them a question:(I) 42 “What do you [Pharisees] think of the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “[e]The son of David.” 43 Jesus asked them, “How is it then that David by the inspiration of the Spirit, calls Him ‘Lord,’ saying,

44 
The Lord (the Father) said to my Lord (the Son, the Messiah),
Sit at My right hand,
Until I put Your enemies under Your feet”’?(J)

45 So then, if David calls Him (the Son, the Messiah) ‘Lord,’ [f]how is He David’s son?” 46 No one was able to say a word to Him in answer, nor from that day on did anyone dare to question Him again.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 22:16 A Jewish political party loyal to Herod. The Pharisees, who strongly opposed Herod and Roman rule, and the Herodians, who were strong allies of Herod and Rome, set aside their political differences in order to conspire together against Jesus.
  2. Matthew 22:17 Every Jew was required to pay the poll-tax. It was considered a sign of subservience to Rome.
  3. Matthew 22:21 Tiberius Caesar came to the throne after the death of his stepfather, Augustus, in a.d. 14 and ruled the Roman Empire until his death in a.d. 37. He was a brilliant military general, but an incompetent, irresponsible ruler. Most biblical references to “Caesar” refer to Tiberius.
  4. Matthew 22:24 The purpose of this was to carry on the family line and keep property within the family.
  5. Matthew 22:42 The Pharisees may have thought of the Messiah merely as a human descendant of David.
  6. Matthew 22:45 See note Mark 12:35.

Parable of the Marriage Feast

22 Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, (A)The kingdom of heaven [a]is like [b]a king who [c]held a (B)wedding feast for his son. And he (C)sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. Again he (D)sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened cattle are all butchered and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast!”’ But they paid no attention and went their separate ways, one to his own [d]farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and treated them abusively, and then killed them. Now the king was angry, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. Then he *said to his slaves, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. So go to (E)the main roads, and invite whomever you find there to the wedding feast.’ 10 Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good; and the wedding hall was filled with [e]dinner guests.

11 “But when the king came in to look over the [f]dinner guests, he saw (F)a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, 12 and he *said to him, ‘(G)Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ And the man was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him into (H)the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in that place.’ 14 For many are [g](I)called, but few are (J)chosen.”

Poll-tax to Caesar

15 (K)Then the Pharisees went and [h]plotted together how they might trap Him [i]in what He said. 16 And they *sent their disciples to Him, along with the (L)Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and [j]do not care what anyone thinks; for You [k]are not partial to anyone. 17 Tell us then, what do You think? Is it [l]permissible to pay a [m](M)poll-tax to (N)Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus perceived their [n]malice, and said, “Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the (O)coin used for the poll-tax.” And they brought Him a [o]denarius. 20 And He *said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21 They *said to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He *said to them, (P)Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 And hearing this, they were amazed; and (Q)they left Him and went away.

Jesus Answers the Sadducees

23 (R)On that day some (S)Sadducees (who say (T)there is no resurrection) came to [p]Jesus and questioned Him, 24 saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘(U)If a man dies having no children, his brother as next of kin shall marry his wife, and raise up [q]children for his brother.’ 25 Now there were seven brothers among us; and the first married and died, and having no [r]children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 It was the same also with the second brother, and the third, down to the seventh. 27 Last of all, the woman died. 28 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her in marriage.”

29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, (V)since you do not [s]understand the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither (W)marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 31 But regarding the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God: 32 (X)I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” 33 When the crowds heard this, (Y)they were astonished at His teaching.

34 (Z)But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced (AA)the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, [t](AB)a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him: 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘(AC)You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and [u]foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘(AD)You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 (AE)Upon these two commandments [v]hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”

41 (AF)Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question: 42 “What do you think about the [w]Christ? Whose son is He?” They *said to Him, “(AG)The son of David.” 43 He *said to them, “Then [x]how does David [y](AH)in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying,

44 (AI)The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit at My right hand,
Until I put Your enemies under Your feet”’?

45 Therefore, if David calls Him ‘Lord,’ [z]how is He his son?” 46 (AJ)No one was able to offer Him a word in answer, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him any more questions.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 22:2 Lit has been compared to
  2. Matthew 22:2 Lit a man, a king
  3. Matthew 22:2 Lit made
  4. Matthew 22:5 Or field
  5. Matthew 22:10 Lit those reclining at the table
  6. Matthew 22:11 Lit those reclining at the table
  7. Matthew 22:14 Or invited
  8. Matthew 22:15 Lit took counsel
  9. Matthew 22:15 Lit in word
  10. Matthew 22:16 Lit it is not a concern to You about anyone;
  11. Matthew 22:16 Lit do not look at the face of people
  12. Matthew 22:17 Or lawful; i.e., by Jewish law and tradition
  13. Matthew 22:17 I.e., a tax on each person in the census
  14. Matthew 22:18 Or wickedness
  15. Matthew 22:19 The denarius was a day’s wages for a laborer
  16. Matthew 22:23 Lit Him
  17. Matthew 22:24 Lit seed
  18. Matthew 22:25 Lit seed
  19. Matthew 22:29 Or know
  20. Matthew 22:35 I.e., an expert in the Mosaic Law
  21. Matthew 22:38 Or first
  22. Matthew 22:40 I.e., completely depend
  23. Matthew 22:42 I.e., Messiah
  24. Matthew 22:43 Or in what sense does
  25. Matthew 22:43 I.e., by inspiration
  26. Matthew 22:45 Or in what sense is

Parable of the Great Feast

22 Jesus also told them other parables. He said, “The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!

“So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’ But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business. Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.

“The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town. And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ 10 So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. 12 ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. 13 Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Taxes for Caesar

15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. 17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin,[a] 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

22 His reply amazed them, and they went away.

Discussion about Resurrection

23 That same day Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. They posed this question: 24 “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies without children, his brother should marry the widow and have a child who will carry on the brother’s name.’[b] 25 Well, suppose there were seven brothers. The oldest one married and then died without children, so his brother married the widow. 26 But the second brother also died, and the third brother married her. This continued with all seven of them. 27 Last of all, the woman also died. 28 So tell us, whose wife will she be in the resurrection? For all seven were married to her.”

29 Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. 30 For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven.

31 “But now, as to whether there will be a resurrection of the dead—haven’t you ever read about this in the Scriptures? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said,[c] 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’[d] So he is the God of the living, not the dead.”

33 When the crowds heard him, they were astounded at his teaching.

The Most Important Commandment

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[e] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[f] 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Whose Son Is the Messiah?

41 Then, surrounded by the Pharisees, Jesus asked them a question: 42 “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”

They replied, “He is the son of David.”

43 Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’? For David said,

44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
    until I humble your enemies beneath your feet.’[g]

45 Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”

46 No one could answer him. And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Footnotes

  1. 22:19 Greek a denarius.
  2. 22:24 Deut 25:5-6.
  3. 22:31 Greek read about this? God said.
  4. 22:32 Exod 3:6.
  5. 22:37 Deut 6:5.
  6. 22:39 Lev 19:18.
  7. 22:44 Ps 110:1.

22 Y RESPONDIENDO Jesús, les volvió á hablar en parábolas, diciendo:

El reino de los cielos es semejante á un hombre rey, que hizo bodas á su hijo;

Y envió sus siervos para que llamasen los llamados á las bodas; mas no quisieron venir.

Volvió á enviar otros siervos, diciendo: Decid á los llamados: He aquí, mi comida he aparejado; mis toros y animales engordados son muertos, y todo está prevenido: venid á las bodas.

Mas ellos no se cuidaron, y se fueron, uno á su labranza, y otro á sus negocios;

Y otros, tomando á sus siervos, los afrentaron y los mataron.

Y el rey, oyendo esto, se enojó; y enviando sus ejércitos, destruyó á aquellos homicidas, y puso fuego á su ciudad.

Entonces dice á sus siervos: Las bodas á la verdad están aparejadas; mas los que eran llamados no eran dignos.

Id pues á las salidas de los caminos, y llamad á las bodas á cuantos hallareis.

10 Y saliendo los siervos por los caminos, juntaron á todos los que hallaron, juntamente malos y buenos: y las bodas fueron llenas de convidados.

11 Y entró el rey para ver los convidados, y vió allí un hombre no vestido de boda.

12 Y le dijo: Amigo, ¿cómo entraste aquí no teniendo vestido de boda? Mas él cerró la boca.

13 Entonces el rey dijo á los que servían: Atado de pies y de manos tomadle, y echadle en las tinieblas de afuera: allí será el lloro y el crujir de dientes.

14 Porque muchos son llamados, y pocos escogidos.

15 Entonces, idos los Fariseos, consultaron cómo le tomarían en alguna palabra.

16 Y envían á él los discípulos de ellos, con los Herodianos, diciendo: Maestro, sabemos que eres amador de la verdad, y que enseñas con verdad el camino de Dios, y que no te curas de nadie, porque no tienes acepción de persona de hombres.

17 Dinos pues, ¿qué te parece? ¿es lícito dar tributo á César, ó no?

18 Mas Jesús, entendida la malicia de ellos, les dice: ¿Por qué me tentáis, hipócritas?

19 Mostradme la moneda del tributo. Y ellos le presentaron un denario.

20 Entonces les dice: ¿Cúya es esta figura, y lo que está encima escrito?

21 Dícenle: De César. Y díceles: Pagad pues á César lo que es de César, y á Dios lo que es de Dios.

22 Y oyendo esto, se maravillaron, y dejándole se fueron.

23 Aquel día llegaron á él los Saduceos, que dicen no haber resurrección, y le preguntaron,

24 Diciendo: Maestro, Moisés dijo: Si alguno muriere sin hijos, su hermano se casará con su mujer, y despertará simiente á su hermano.

25 Fueron pues, entre nosotros siete hermanos: y el primero tomó mujer, y murió; y no teniendo generación, dejó su mujer á su hermano.

26 De la misma manera también el segundo, y el tercero, hasta los siete.

27 Y después de todos murió también la mujer.

28 En la resurrección pues, ¿de cuál de los siete será ella mujer? porque todos la tuvieron.

29 Entonces respondiendo Jesús, les dijo: Erráis ignorando las Escrituras, y el poder de Dios.

30 Porque en la resurrección, ni los hombres tomarán mujeres, ni las mujeres marido; mas son como los ángeles de Dios en el cielo.

31 Y de la resurrección de los muertos, ¿no habéis leído lo que os es dicho por Dios, que dice:

32 Yo soy el Dios de Abraham, y el Dios de Isaac, y el Dios de Jacob? Dios no es Dios de muertos, sino de vivos.

33 Y oyendo esto las gentes, estaban atónitas de su doctrina.

34 Entonces los Fariseos, oyendo que había cerrado la boca á los Saduceos, se juntaron á una.

35 Y preguntó uno de ellos, intérprete de la ley, tentándole y diciendo:

36 Maestro, ¿cuál es el mandamiento grande en la ley?

37 Y Jesús le dijo: Amarás al Señor tu Dios de todo tu corazón, y de toda tu alma, y de toda tu mente.

38 Este es el primero y el grande mandamiento.

39 Y el segundo es semejante á éste: Amarás á tu prójimo como á ti mismo.

40 De estos dos mandamientos depende toda la ley y los profetas.

41 Y estando juntos los Fariseos, Jesús les preguntó,

42 Diciendo: ¿Qué os parece del Cristo? ¿de quién es Hijo? Dícenle: De David.

43 El les dice: ¿Pues cómo David en Espíritu le llama Señor, diciendo:

44 Dijo el Señor á mi Señor: Siéntate á mi diestra, Entre tanto que pongo tus enemigos por estrado de tus pies?

45 Pues si David le llama Señor, ¿cómo es su Hijo?

46 Y nadie le podía responder palabra; ni osó alguno desde aquel día preguntarle más.