Deep Dive

Matthew 22

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 1

PARABLE OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE KING'S SON. (Mat 22:1-14) The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son--"In this parable," as TRENCH admirably remarks, "we see how the Lord is revealing Himself in ever clearer light as the central Person of the kingdom, giving here a far plainer hint than in the last parable of the nobility of His descent. There He was indeed the Son, the only and beloved one (Mar 12:6), of the Householder; but here His race is royal, and He appears as Himself at once the King and the King's Son (Psa 72:1). The last was a parable of the Old Testament history; and Christ is rather the last and greatest of the line of its prophets and teachers than the founder of a new kingdom. In that, God appears demanding something from men; in this, a parable of grace, God appears more as giving something to them. Thus, as often, the two complete each other: this taking up the matter where the other left it." The "marriage" of Jehovah to His people Israel was familiar to Jewish ears; and in Psa. 45:1-17 this marriage is seen consummated in the Person of Messiah "THE KING," Himself addressed as "GOD" and yet as anointed by "HIS GOD" with the oil of gladness above His fellows. These apparent contradictions (see on Luk 20:41-44) are resolved in this parable; and Jesus, in claiming to be this King's Son, serves Himself Heir to all that the prophets and sweet singers of Israel held forth as to Jehovah' s ineffably near and endearing union to His people. But observe carefully, that THE BRIDE does not come into view in this parable; its design being to teach certain truths under the figure of guests at a wedding feast, and the want of a wedding garment, which would not have harmonized with the introduction of the Bride.

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John Gill Bible Commentaryv. 1

And Jesus answered and spake unto them again,.... Not to the multitude only, but to the chief priests, elders, Scribes, and Pharisees: for though Mark seems to intimate, that upon the delivery of the last parable of the vineyard, they left him, and went their way; yet since he does not relate the following parable, they might not leave him until they had heard that, which is spoken with much the same design as the former, and might increase their resentment the more: or if the chief priests and elders did go away, the Pharisees remained behind, as is clear from Mat 22:15 to whom he spake by parables, similitudes, and comparisons, taken from earthly things, and against whom he directed the following one; and said, as hereafter related.

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 1

22:1-14 In this parable, Israel, having repeatedly rejected God’s word in the past, rejects the Messiah and is judged as a result. In Israel’s place, God raised up the church (16:17-19; 21:43), of which righteousness is also expected (Rom 11:11-24).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 1

καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πάλιν (pálin, G3825) — (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally)… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. παραβολή (parabolḗ, G3850) — a similitude ("parable"), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or…

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Strong's Concordancev. 2

βασιλεία (basileía, G932) — properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or… οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… ὁμοιόω (homoióō, G3666) — to assimilate, i.e. compare; passively, to become similar ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being βασιλεύς (basileús, G935) — a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively) ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) γάμος (gámos, G1062) — nuptials αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,…

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Strong's Concordancev. 3

καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀποστέλλω (apostéllō, G649) — set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δοῦλος (doûlos, G1401) — a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a… καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… γάμος (gámos, G1062) — nuptials θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

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Strong's Concordancev. 4

πάλιν (pálin, G3825) — (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally)… ἀποστέλλω (apostéllō, G649) — set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or… ἄλλος (állos, G243) — "else," i.e. different (in many applications) δοῦλος (doûlos, G1401) — a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; ἑτοιμάζω (hetoimázō, G2090) — to prepare μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἄριστον (áriston, G712) — the best meal (or breakfast; perhaps from ("early")), i.e. luncheon ταῦρος (taûros, G5022) — a bullock καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… σιτιστός (sitistós, G4619) — grained, i.e. fatted

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Strong's Concordancev. 5

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀμελέω (ameléō, G272) — to be careless of ἀπέρχομαι (apérchomai, G565) — to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or… μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἴδιος (ídios, G2398) — pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate ἀγρός (agrós, G68) — a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e.… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἐμπορία (emporía, G1711) — traffic

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Strong's Concordancev. 6

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. λοιποί (loipoí, G3062) — remaining ones κρατέω (kratéō, G2902) — to use strength, i.e. seize or retain (literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δοῦλος (doûlos, G1401) — a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a… ὑβρίζω (hybrízō, G5195) — to exercise violence, i.e. abuse καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀποκτείνω (apokteínō, G615) — to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

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Strong's Concordancev. 7

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. βασιλεύς (basileús, G935) — a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively) ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses) ὀργίζω (orgízō, G3710) — to provoke or enrage, i.e. (passively) become exasperated καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πέμπω (pémpō, G3992) — to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas (as a stronger form… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… στράτευμα (stráteuma, G4753) — an armament, i.e. (by implication) a body of troops (more or less extensive or systematic) ἀπόλλυμι (apóllymi, G622) — to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed φονεύς (phoneús, G5406) — a murderer (always of criminal (or at least intentional) homicide; which G443… ἐμπρήθω (emprḗthō, G1714) — to enkindle, i.e. set on fire πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

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Strong's Concordancev. 8

τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δοῦλος (doûlos, G1401) — a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a… μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… γάμος (gámos, G1062) — nuptials ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ἕτοιμος (hétoimos, G2092) — adjusted, i.e. ready δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἄξιος (áxios, G514) — deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)

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Strong's Concordancev. 9

πορεύομαι (poreúomai, G4198) — to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively,… οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… διέξοδος (diéxodos, G1327) — an outlet through, i.e. probably an open square (from which roads diverge) ὁδός (hodós, G3598) — a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as ἄν (án, G302) εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… γάμος (gámos, G1062) — nuptials

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Strong's Concordancev. 10

καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed δοῦλος (doûlos, G1401) — a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a… ἐξέρχομαι (exérchomai, G1831) — to issue (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ὁδός (hodós, G3598) — a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or… συνάγω (synágō, G4863) — to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ὅσος (hósos, G3745) — as (much, great, long, etc.) as εὑρίσκω (heurískō, G2147) — to find (literally or figuratively) τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) πονηρός (ponērós, G4190) — hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from G2556… ἀγαθός (agathós, G18) — "good" (in any sense, often as noun) γάμος (gámos, G1062) — nuptials

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Strong's Concordancev. 11

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai, G1525) — to enter (literally or figuratively) βασιλεύς (basileús, G935) — a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively) θεάομαι (theáomai, G2300) — to look closely at, i.e. (by implication) perceive (literally or figuratively); by… ἀνακεῖμαι (anakeîmai, G345) — to recline (as a corpse or at a meal) εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ἐκεῖ (ekeî, G1563) — there; by extension, thither ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being ἐνδύω (endýō, G1746) — to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not γάμος (gámos, G1062) — nuptials ἔνδυμα (éndyma, G1742) — apparel (especially the outer robe)

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Strong's Concordancev. 12

καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἑταῖρος (hetaîros, G2083) — a comrade πῶς (pōs, G4459) — an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect,… εἰσέρχομαι (eisérchomai, G1525) — to enter (literally or figuratively) ὧδε (hōde, G5602) — in this same spot, i.e. here or hither μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… γάμος (gámos, G1062) — nuptials ἔνδυμα (éndyma, G1742) — apparel (especially the outer robe) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. φιμόω (phimóō, G5392) — to muzzle

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Strong's Concordancev. 13

τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) βασιλεύς (basileús, G935) — a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively) διάκονος (diákonos, G1249) — an attendant, i.e. (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties);… δέω (déō, G1210) — to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… χείρ (cheír, G5495) — the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πούς (poús, G4228) — a "foot" (figuratively or literally) αἴρω (aírō, G142) — to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep… ἐκβάλλω (ekbállō, G1544) — to eject (literally or figuratively) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἐξώτερος (exṓteros, G1857) — exterior σκότος (skótos, G4655) — shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively)

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Strong's Concordancev. 14

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are κλητός (klētós, G2822) — invited, i.e. appointed, or (specially), a saint δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὀλίγος (olígos, G3641) — puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially)… ἐκλεκτός (eklektós, G1588) — select; by implication, favorite

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