Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible

Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 22

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 22

Verse Commentaries:

Chapter Level Commentary: Matthew 22

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS⁴ NKJV NRSV TEV NJB The Parable of the Marriage Feast The Parable of the Wedding Feast The Marriage Feast The Parable of the Wedding Feast Parable of the Wedding Feast Mat_22:1-14 Mat_22:1-14 Mat_22:1-10 Mat_22:1-10 Mat_22:1-14 Mat_22:11-14 Mat_22:11-13 Mat_22:14 Paying Taxes to Caesar The Pharisees: Is It Unlawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar? Paying Taxes to Caesar The Questions About Paying Taxes On Tribute to Caesar Mat_22:15-22 Mat_22:15-22 Mat_22:15-22 Mat_22:15-17 Mat_22:15-22 Mat_22:18-19 a Mat_22:19-20 Mat_22:21 a Mat_22:21 b Mat_2:22 The Question About Resurrection The Sadducees: What About the Resurrection? Question About the Resurrection The Question About Rising From Death The Resurrection of the Dead Mat_22:23-33 Mat_22:23-33 Mat_22:23-28 Mat_22:23-28 Mat_22:23-33 Mat_22:29-33 Mat_22:29-32 Mat_22:33 The Great Commandment The Scribes: Which is the First Commandment of All? The Great Commission The Great Commandment The Greatest Commandment of All Mat_22:34-40 Mat_22:34-40 Mat_22:34-40 Mat_22:34-36 Mat_22:34-40 Mat_22:37-40 The Question About David's Son Jesus: How Can David Call His Descendant Lord? David's Son The Question About the Messiah Christ Not Only Son but Also Lord of David Mat_22:41-46 Mat_22:41-46 Mat_22:41-46 Mat_22:41-42 b Mat_22:41-46 Mat_22:42 c Mat_22:43-45 Mat_22:46 READING CYCLE THREE (from "hyperlink")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS FOR Mat_22:1-14

A. This is the last of three parables that Jesus addressed to the religious leaders in Jerusalem (cf. Mat_21:23). The parables are found in the context of Jesus' cleansing the Temple (cf. Mat_21:12-17) and cursing the fig tree (cf. Mat_21:18-22), both of which are signs of God's rejection of the Jewish leadership, rabbinical Judaism, or the nation.

B. One of the major questions one must answer in interpreting these parables is to whom do they refer and apply?

1. Jewish leadership Matthew 22 :Jewish common man (cf. Mat_21:31)

2. Jews Matthew 22 :Gentiles (cf. Mat_21:41; Mat_21:43; Mat_22:3-5; Mat_22:8-10)

3. Unrepentant and apathetic people Matthew 22 :repentant humble people

C. There are possibly two parables in Mat_22:1-14. This is because:

1. The term "parables" in Mat_22:1 is plural.

2. There seem to be internal and contextual problems between Mat_22:1-14, especially relating to the wedding garments.

D. There is also the related question of how many speakers are represented in Mat_22:1-14 :

1. obviously, the king

2. obviously, the king's servants

3. possibly the Gospel writer himself in Mat_22:7

4. possibly Jesus Himself commenting in Mat_22:14

E. The three parables in this literary context are possibly related:

a. The first parable is the rejection of God's messenger, i.e., John the Baptist.

b. The second parable is the rejection of God's son, the Messiah.

c. The third parable is the rejection of God's grace.

F. It is possible that Mat_22:1-10 relate to God's undeserved, unmerited grace toward fallen humanity, while Mat_22:11-13 relate to human responsibility after experiencing the grace of God. The parable is too ambiguous to build doctrine at this point, but the same truth is reflected in Eph_2:8-10. This would then emphasize the truth that salvation begins with the grace of God, but must continue with initial and life-long repentance and faith. We are not saved by works, but we are saved unto good works.

G. This parable is similar in several ways to Luk_14:16-24. Critical scholarship has asserted that it is two accounts of the same teaching session. Jesus used the same teaching stories in many different contexts. The Gospel writers did not have the freedom to put words in Jesus' mouth. They did have the freedom, under inspiration, to select from, combine, and summarize His teachings. A good example would be Matthew's "Sermon on the Mount," (cf. Matthew 5-7) when compared to Luke's "Sermon on the Plain" (cf. Luke 6).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.

1. What is the central theme of the parable in Mat_22:1-14?

2. How do you explain the harsh words of Mat_22:13?

3. Do Mat_22:15-22 speak to the modern issue of the separation of church and state?

4. List and characterize the political and religious groups in Palestine in Jesus' day.

5. Why were these groups trying to "trap" Jesus? (Mat_22:15)