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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 22:11 - 22:14
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_22:11-14
11"But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes,12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?'And the man was speechless. 13Then the king said to his servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'14For many are called, but few are chosen."
Mat_22:11 "wedding clothes" Through the years many commentators have noted the problems between Mat_22:9-11. It does not mention banquet preparation in 9-10, but demands it in Mat_22:11. Augustine, following some limited historical evidence, assumed that the host provided a special party garment. This would mean the man refused it or entered in an inappropriate way. The inappropriately dressed man seems to recognize his position by his lack of response in Mat_22:12.
Mat_22:13 As earlier in Mat_22:6-7, Mat_22:13 is a shocking statement. Possibly all of these verses are meant to be Oriental overstatements (hyperboles); however, the severity of the punishment fits the crime of rejecting God's gracious offer (cf. Mat_22:6-7) and refusing to walk in God's grace (cf. Mat_22:13).
▣ "throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" This was a common idiom used often in Matthew to describe the condition of humans who reject God (cf. Mat_8:12; Mat_13:42; Mat_13:50; Mat_22:13; Mat_24:51; Mat_25:30). It implied a current (cf. Luk_16:19-31) as well as eschatological setting (cf. Mat_24:51).
Mat_22:14 This is a difficult verse to interpret. Many say it relates to Mat_22:2-10, but not 11-13. It seems to focus on God's gracious gift extended to all (i.e., Joh_1:12; Joh_3:16; 1Ti_2:4; 1Ti_4:10; Tit_2:11; 2Pe_3:9). However, fallen mankind must respond appropriately. God does choose, but He has chosen that mankind must respond by repentance and faith (cf. Mar_1:15; Act_3:16; Act_3:19; Act_20:21) to the gospel of Jesus mediated through the wooing of the Holy Spirit (cf. Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65).
This verse may relate to God's revelation to the children of Abraham (cf. Act_3:26; Rom_1:16; Rom_2:9). They rejected God's offer in Christ, so the gospel was given to the Gentiles who eagerly embraced it (i.e., Romans 9-11). This entire context expresses the truth that the expected outcome in spiritual matters was going to be reversed (cf. Mat_19:30; Mat_20:16)!
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. How is this parable related to Matthew 21?
2. How many parables are there in Mat_22:1-14?
3. To whom does the phrase "invited guests" in Mat_22:3-5 refer?
4. To whom does the phrase "both the good and bad" of Mat_22:10 refer?
5. How do you explain the presence of such violence in Mat_22:6-7; Mat_22:13?
6. How does Mat_22:14 relate to Mat_22:1-14?