Before we get into the parable, I need to mention Luke’s account. In Luke 14:16-24, we find a similar parable by Jesus to the one we have here in Matthew. And many people interpret them both as variations of one original story. However, when you read the backgrounds and the details of both parables, you will find that they’re both very different.
The parable in Matthew’s account is in close succession with the parable of ‘The Tenants’ and sounds a warning note to the Jews who would reject their Messiah. The parable in Luke’s account, however, isn’t as severe in tone, yet it stands as a warning to all men that they shouldn’t take the kingdom for granted. And so the two parables are independent of each other, but the obvious similarities are due to their common origin, Jesus Christ.
This parable is a response to the Pharisees, who were looking for an excuse to kill Jesus, Matthew 21:45-46. Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son, Matthew 22:1. The king mentioned here obviously represents God providing for the salvation of the world, and the son represents Christ.
He says a king sent his servants out with invitations to a wedding feast, Matthew 22:2-3. This was an invitation for the Pharisees and Sadducees to submit to Jesus as King, Matthew 11:11 / Matthew 11:28-29 / Revelation 3:21. These servants were God’s messengers of old, Mark 1:1-4.
Trench, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This second summons I take to represent the invitation to the Jewish people, as it was renewed to them at the second epoch of the kingdom, that is, after the resurrection and ascension.’
1. God was willing to overlook the first blunt rejection of Christ, even his crucifixion, attributing it to ignorance, Acts 3:17.
2. Also, the Jews continued to have a priority in hearing the gospel for a long while after Pentecost, as indicated by Paul’s motto, ‘To the Jew first and also to the Greek,’ Romans 1:16.
Not only did the Jews reject the invitation, Matthew 22:3, despite everything being prepared for the feast, Matthew 22:4, and pay no attention to it, Matthew 22:5, but they also belittled it and made light of it; they carried on with life as usual, Matthew 22:5.
Although they rejected God, He had warned them and disciplined them, but still, they refused to repent. The Jews had been invited but refused to come, John 1:11 / Matthew 21:38-39. God sent prophets to warn them of their punishment, but the Israelites tortured and killed these messengers, Matthew 22:6. Through the armies of Babylon and Rome, God punished the Jewish nation, Matthew 22:7 / Matthew 24:1-34.
The original guests were not worthy because they disregarded the king’s invitations, Matthew 22:8. They failed to respond to his invitation to come freely. The Jews judged themselves unworthy, and so, it was needful that the message of the kingdom reign be preached to them in order that they have their chance to obey, despite not deserving the invite, Matthew 22:9 / Acts 13:46-48 / Acts 18:6.
The servants are commanded to go to the street corners with an invitation; it didn’t matter if they were good or bad, all were invited, Matthew 22:9-10 / Matthew 13:3-9 / Matthew 13:36-43 / Matthew 13:47-48.
When the king arrived, he spotted someone who wasn’t wearing wedding clothes, Matthew 22:11. In other words, they weren’t clothed with the righteousness that comes from God, but with their own righteousness, Ephesians 2:8-10.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The garments worn on festival occasions were chiefly long white robes, and it was the custom of the person who made the feast to prepare such robes to be worn by the guests. This renders the conduct of this man more inexcusable. He came in his common and ordinary dress, as he was taken from the highway, and though he had not a garment of his own suitable for the occasion, yet one had been provided for him if he had applied for it. His not doing it was expressive of the highest disrespect for the king.’
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This stands for the final inspection of all men in the judgment. To be sure, the King is constantly beholding the men of his kingdom and continually observing the conduct of all his servants; but this coming in of the king on a formal and stated occasion to view the guests indicates a far more auspicious examination. It is the judgment of the great day when the King shall suddenly appear and review the credentials of those who have accepted his invitation. Judgment shall indeed begin at the house of God, 1 Peter 4:17.’
The guest who wasn’t wearing wedding clothes was there, whether evil or good, Matthew 22:10, because he had accepted the king’s gracious invitation. However, he was subject to the king’s scrutiny. The king addressed his guest as a ‘friend’, Matthew 22:12, but asked how he got in without the proper wedding clothes. The man obviously represents the Pharisees, who had a righteousness of their own, Matthew 5:20.
He wasn’t clothed with the righteousness that comes from God, but with his own righteousness, Luke 18:9-14 / Ephesians 2:8-10. Notice the man was speechless, Matthew 22:12, possibly due to embarrassment. He couldn’t defend himself or offer any kind of excuse.
The king commands his attendant to tie the man up and throw him outside, Matthew 22:13 / Matthew 8:12 / Galatians 4:30, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, Matthew 8:12 / Matthew 23:23-33 / Matthew 24:51 / Matthew 25:30.
Jesus is emphasising His message of Matthew 21:43, which is that the rebellious of His generation will be cast out because they wouldn’t choose to accept Him as their king.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This does not bestow inquisitorial rights on God’s ministers in this dispensation. The exposure and punishment of that offender occurred at the arraignment before the king, not before. The servants in this verse, therefore, cannot be the apostles or ministers of the word, but the angels of God, Matthew 13:47-52. The punishment refers to hell, Matthew 25:46.’
Jesus openly declares that many are invited but few are chosen, Matthew 22:14 / Matthew 20:16. Remember, even though the man was at the wedding feast, it didn’t mean that the king favoured him being there. As Christians, we too must be careful that we may well be in the church, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we will receive eternal life, Revelation 3:18.