Matthew Chapter 22

Matthew 22 — “Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen: The Wedding of the King and the Wisdom of God”

Matthew 21 revealed the rejection of the Son.
Matthew 22 now reveals the consequences of that rejection.

After exposing false religion,
Christ shows what the true Kingdom looks like —
a feast prepared by God Himself.

This chapter teaches one central truth:

The Kingdom is a gift offered freely, but it must be received with obedience, humility, and love of God.

1. The Wedding Feast of the King

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.” (Matt 22:2)

The King is the Father.
The Son is Christ.
The wedding feast is the Kingdom — communion between Christ and His Church.

St Augustine writes:

“The marriage is Christ united to the Church; the feast is the joy of salvation.”
(Sermons)

The Kingdom is not first a law or a court,
but a banquet of union and rejoicing.

2. The First Guests Refuse

“He sent his servants to call those who were invited… but they would not come.” (v. 3)

The first guests are Israel’s leaders,
already invited through covenant and prophecy.

St John Chrysostom observes:

“They were not ignorant of the feast; they were unwilling.”
(Homilies on Matthew)

Their refusal is not lack of knowledge,
but lack of desire.

Grace is rejected not by weakness,
but by pride.

3. The Second Invitation

“Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, See, I have prepared my dinner… everything is ready.’” (v. 4)

God’s mercy persists.

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“He invites again because His patience exceeds their ingratitude.”
(Homilies)

The repeated invitation shows divine long-suffering.
Judgment comes only after mercy is scorned.

4. Indifference and Violence

“But they paid no attention and went off… while the rest seized his servants and treated them shamefully and killed them.” (vv. 5–6)

Some ignore the call.
Some persecute it.

St Jerome comments:

“Carelessness slays the soul; cruelty slays the messenger.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

This reflects Israel’s treatment of the prophets
and anticipates the Passion.

5. The Destruction of the Murderers

“The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.” (v. 7)

This foreshadows the destruction of Jerusalem.

St Augustine writes:

“They refused the feast of peace and were given the fire of judgment.”
(Sermons)

God’s justice answers obstinate refusal,
not momentary failure.

6. The Invitation to the Highways

“Go therefore to the main roads, and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” (v. 9)

The Gospel goes to the Gentiles.

St Ambrose says:

“The banquet is opened to strangers, because the household despised it.”
(On Repentance)

The Church is gathered
from all nations, classes, and sins.

Grace is not selective.
Only pride excludes.

7. Both Bad and Good

“So the wedding hall was filled with guests.” (v. 10)

The Church contains saints and sinners.

St Augustine teaches:

“The net gathers all kinds, but the shore will separate them.”
(Sermons)

Entrance into the Church
is not yet judgment —
but preparation.

8. The Wedding Garment

“But when the king came in… he saw there a man who had no wedding garment.” (v. 11)

The garment signifies charity and righteousness.

St Gregory the Great explains:

“The garment is love; without it, faith itself is naked.”
(Homilies)

Baptism invites all.
Holiness distinguishes the saved.

9. “Friend, How Did You Get In?”

(v. 12)

The man is speechless.

St Augustine writes:

“He had nothing to answer, because he had nothing to show.”
(Sermons)

Silence is the language of a guilty conscience.

10. Cast into Outer Darkness

“Bind him hand and foot… into the outer darkness.” (v. 13)

Belonging outwardly
does not save inwardly.

St Jerome says:

“He came without love and was expelled without mercy.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

Grace received in vain
becomes judgment.

11. “Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen”

(v. 14)

The call is wide.
The response is narrow.

St Augustine comments:

“God calls many by preaching; He chooses few by perseverance.”
(Sermons)

Election is not favoritism —
it is faithfulness.

12. The Trap of the Pharisees

“Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle Him in His words.” (v. 15)

Truth is met with treachery.

St John Chrysostom writes:

“They sought not instruction but accusation.”
(Homilies)

Religion without humility
becomes conspiracy.

13. The Question of Tribute

“Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (v. 17)

They hope to force Him into treason or heresy.

St Jerome remarks:

“They wished to trap Him between God and Caesar.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

14. The Coin and the Image

“Whose likeness and inscription is this?” (v. 20)

The coin bears Caesar’s image.
Man bears God’s image.

St Augustine teaches:

“As the coin bears Caesar’s face, so man bears God’s.”
(Sermons)

The question is not political
but theological.

15. “Render to Caesar… and to God”

(v. 21)

Earthly authority is real,
but limited.

St Gregory the Great writes:

“He orders tribute to Caesar and conscience to God.”
(Homilies)

The Christian obeys rulers
but worships God alone.

16. The Sadducees and the Resurrection

“That same day Sadducees came… who say there is no resurrection.” (v. 23)

They deny what they cannot measure.

St Ambrose says:

“They believe only what dies, because they live only for what passes.”
(On the Resurrection)

Materialism breeds unbelief.

17. The Woman with Seven Husbands

(vv. 24–28)

They mock resurrection
as absurd.

St Jerome explains:

“They judged heaven by earth and eternity by time.”
(Commentary on Matthew)

18. “You Are Wrong”

(v. 29)

Their error has two roots:

• ignorance of Scripture
• ignorance of God’s power

St Augustine writes:

“Unbelief comes from reading without faith and reasoning without God.”
(Sermons)

19. “Like Angels in Heaven”

(v. 30)

Marriage gives way to glory.

St Gregory of Nyssa teaches:

“Human generation ends where divine communion begins.”
(On the Soul)

Resurrection is transformation,
not repetition.

20. God of the Living

“I am the God of Abraham… He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” (v. 32)

The patriarchs live in God.

St Ambrose says:

“To be named by God is to live forever.”
(On the Faith)

21. The Great Commandment

“Which is the great commandment in the Law?” (v. 36)

Christ unites all commandments into love.

22. Love of God

“You shall love the Lord your God…” (v. 37)

Love is not sentiment
but total devotion.

St Augustine teaches:

“Love God and do what you will, for true love cannot sin.”
(Sermons)

23. Love of Neighbor

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (v. 39)

Charity measures holiness.

St Gregory the Great writes:

“He who loves God must love the image of God.”
(Homilies)

24. The Law Fulfilled

“On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (v. 40)

Christ is the center of Scripture
because He is the center of love.

25. David’s Son and David’s Lord

“If then David calls Him Lord, how is He his son?” (v. 45)

Christ reveals His divinity.

St Hilary of Poitiers writes:

“He is son in flesh and Lord in eternity.”
(On the Trinity)

Messiah is more than man.

26. Silence of His Enemies

“No one was able to answer Him a word.” (v. 46)

Truth conquers deceit.

St John Chrysostom comments:

“They ceased questioning Him, because they could not escape Him.”
(Homilies)

Christ in Matthew 22

Jesus is:

• the Bridegroom of the Church
• the Wisdom of God
• the Judge of Hypocrisy
• the Lord of Resurrection
• the Teacher of Love
• the Son and Lord of David
• the King of the Feast

Spiritual Application

Respond to God’s invitation.

Clothe yourself with charity.

Honor earthly duties without idolatry.

Believe in resurrection.

Love God totally.

Love your neighbor sincerely.

Prepare for the wedding feast.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
Bridegroom of the Church and wisdom of the Father,
You call all to the wedding feast of salvation
and teach us the law of love.

Clothe us with the garment of charity,
free us from hypocrisy and fear,
and teach us to render to God
the lives that bear His image.

Strengthen our faith in the resurrection,
enlarge our hearts in love for You and for one another,
and lead us at last to the joy of Your banquet,
where You live and reign forever
with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.