• Matthew 21:1-15 Triumphal entry
• Matthew 21:28-32 Will of the Father
• Matthew 21:33-41 Parable of the householder
• Matthew 21:41-45 Winnowing the wheat and chaff to stone-ground powder



More: Matthew

•  Matthew 22:1-14 Parable of the wedding feast (this page)
• Matthew 22:15-22 Show me the money



More: Matthew

Are the disciples ever confused about what Jesus means when he says something?
What is the difference between a "parable" and a "proverb"? It appears that the Hebrew/Aramaic has one word for this concept and that word can be translated into Greek as "parable" or "proverb".

• "παραβολή" ≈ "saying, proverb"
• "παροιμία" ≈ "saying, proverb"

It is possible that whoever did the Greek translation picked the Greek word that they thought best matched the original language, but the differences and implications are yet interesting (and left for another time and place).

More: Parables and secret codes used and explained by Jesus

The corresponding story in Matthew uses (usually) untranslated "man" (dative) and "king" whereas Luke uses "master of the house" or "householder".

Does it make a difference?

• Who is the "householder"?
• Who is the "king"?

The guests are too busy for so invitations are sent to outsiders.

More: Matthew 24:43 Identity of the householder

More: Luke 14:7-24 Parables of the feast and great supper

The ancient Greek word "θύω" ≈ "offer in sacrifice, slay, burn, kill, slaughter".

The ancient Greek word "ἀμελέω" ≈ "not worry about, not care for, disregard" and comes from "ἀμελής" ≈ "careless, negligent, uncared, unheeded" which is a negation of "μέλω" ≈ "care" as in the "cares" and "concerns" of the "world".

The ancient Greek word "ἀμελέω" ≈ "not worry about, not care for, disregard" and comes from "ἀμελής" ≈ "careless, negligent, uncared, unheeded" which is a negation of "μέλω" ≈ "care" as in the "cares" and "concerns" of the "world".

• The ancient Greek word "ἀγρός" ≈ "field, land, countryside".
• The modern Greek word "αγρός" (a-GROS) ≈ "field, countryside".
• The Latin word "ager" ≈ "land, field, acre" and is the source of the English word "agriculture".
• The German word "Acker" ≈ "field, acre".
• The Gothic word "akran" ≈ "fruit".
• The Old English word "aker" ≈ "field" where crops are grown.
• The Middle English word "acre" ≈ "field" where crops are grown.
• The Sanskrit word "अज्र" (ajra) ≈ "field, plain"



More: Fruit of the harvest

The KJV (King James Version) uses "merchandise".

The English word "emporium" is from the Latin word "emporium" ≈ "trading station" from the ancient Greek word "ἐμπόριον" ≈ "trading station, market" which is from the ancient Greek word "ἔμπορος" ≈ "traveler, merchant" as in one who makes a journey.

The modern Greek word "εμπορικό κέντρο" (ehm-po-ree-KO KEHN-tro) ≈ "shopping center", has roots in the word Peter uses, «εμπορευσονται», from which comes the English word "emporium".

More: 2 Peter 2:1-22 Déjà vu all over again

Peter says that these false teachers will use "plastic" words to make "merchandise" of their followers as in selling at an "emporium".

• "πλάσσω" ≈ "form, mold, shape" as is the source of the English word "plastic".
• "ἔμπορος" ≈ "traveler, merchant" as in one who makes a journey and is the source of the English word "emporium".

In Romans 16, Paul make a play on words between "useful words", "subtle sermons" in Latin, and "Christ words".

More: Romans 16 A belly-ache pun on useful Christ-like words

More: 2 Peter 2:1-22 Déjà vu all over again

Which word fits best?

• "annoyed", "annoyance", etc. (primary meaning)
• "distressed", "distress", "troubled", etc.(secondary meaning)
• "sorrowful", "sorry", "grieved", etc.

The ancient Greek word "λύπη" ≈ "annoyance, distress". The modern Greek word "λύπη" (LEE-pee) ≈ "sorrow, sadness, suffering". It appears that the modern meaning comes from the meaning assumed in the GNT from Latin, etc.

More: A colonoscopy of an annoying and disturbing difficulty

More: The sorrowful annoyance of hairsplitting

The ancient Greek word "ὕβρις" ≈ "pride, insolence" and is the source of the English word "hubris". One can do this in a condescending manner as a "bird" or false leader might do.

The KJV often uses this word to mean a physical action or violence - something that is more easily "measured".

Which fits better here?

☐ "boaster"
☐ "pretense to superior knowledge"

Paul uses a common Greek word for "proud" or "arrogant" in this verse. The ancient Greek word "ὕβρις" ≈ "pride, insolence" and is the source of the English word "hubris".

More: Romans 8: Battle cry separation for the love of Christ (part 1)

More: A pretender to superior knowledge

The ancient Greek word "ἀποκτείνω" ≈ "kill, slay" and can be figurative instead of a physical action.

Jesus tells us that the "body" and the "soul" are different. Jesus tells us who we should "fear" and it is not "fear" about the cares and concerns of this world. The most dangerous attacks are not from the outside but from the inside and involve deception.

One cannot "destroy the soul" by "killing" the body is in persecution (e.g., by the Roman administrations). The primary way to "destroy" the "soul" is through deception so that you "sell yourself out" or are "sold out".

Jesus provides an example in the next verse.

More: Matthew 10:26-27 The fear deception: focus on friends rather than Jesus

Discuss:

• How might "sparrows" (birds of the evil one) deceive to "destroy the soul" in order to achieve "earthly gain" (money) by "selling out"?
• Do "sparrows" succeed because those being deceived do not "understand"? This is what Jesus says of the birds in the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13.
• Have those "deceived" separated themselves from the love of Christ?



More: Matthew 10: 28-31 Taking care of the sparrows

Those "invited" were of three groups. They are now deemed not "worthy". The Greek word for "worthy" is the source of the English word "axiom".

More: Examining some dignified and worthy axioms

The TR changes "groom" to "wedding". The word for "synagogue" is used as "gathered together".

The Greek word translated as "bad" is that of "oppression" or "evil".

The "bad" and "good" reminds one of the seventh kingdom parable involving the "rotten" and "good".

More: Matthew 13:47-50: KP7 Parable of the harvest at the end of the age

Here is the context right before the actual wedding feast.

• 22:7 The "murderers" are "destroyed", those "bidden", are "destroyed".
• 22:8 Those "asked" or otherwise "chosen" were not "ready" and were "destroyed". Those remaining are those in their own "field" and the "merchants".
• 22:9: Go "ask" all that can be "found" (those remaining) on the "path" of the "exit paths". There is no stated limit. The servants are assumed to be thorough.

Jesus uses the analogy of a wedding garment in Matthew 22. By tradition, the groom (Jesus) provides the garment for the guests (the church as believers).

• Jesus does never uses this Greek word for "friend" in a good sense.
• The Greek word translated as "hither" is that of "in this way/manner".



More: Matthew 6:25-34 Seek to eat , drink and be married to Jesus

The Greek uses the same word repeated in a different form. Thus, ... was not clothed in clothes of the wedding.

Having a "ticket" to get into the "feast" is necessary but not sufficient.

One must be "clothed" in "righteousness". This man had gained entry but not completed the required actions.

The ancient Greek word "ἑταιρεία" ≈ "association, company, band". The modern Greek word "εταιρεία" (eh-teh-REE-a) ≈ "association, society, company".

More: A friend of another kind

The ancient Greek word "φιμόω" ≈ "muzzle, shut up, seal up". The idea of "put to silence" is a meaning from the GNT.

Here we have a way not to translate scripture using cross-language words.

• "λεγω" ≈ "say" which, when pronounced as "Lego".
• The ancient Greek word "φιμόω" ≈ "muzzle, shut up, seal up". The idea of "put to silence" is a meaning from the GNT. Here the word is translated as "hold peace".

So, when building with "Legos", one should hold the "piece".

More: New words not yet placed

• "ἐζυμώθη" ≈ "leavened".
• "ἐφιμώθη" ≈ "muzzled, speechless".

Was he "speechless"? Was he "muzzled"? Was he "leavened"? Can being "leavened" keep one from having a "wedding garment"?

The ancient Greek word "φιμόω" ≈ "muzzle, shut up, seal up, put to silence".

More: Matthew 13:33 KP4 Parable of the leaven

The Greek phrase for "outer" "darkness" is used by Jesus three times in Matthew. The choice of the words "hand" and "foot" is interesting. Jesus uses code word nouns to represent other words and meanings.

• The "hands" represent "pigs" or those who work for the "birds" and get in the way of sinners wanting to repent.
• The "foot" represent "fish" or those who swim in sin from the sea of humanity. One is the be "fishers" of men as "fish" and not "fishers" of "pigs" or "birds".

There is no illusion here to the "birds" or false leaders. Those have, apparently, not been given a "ticket" to the "banquet".

More: Parables and secret codes used and explained by Jesus

More: Matthew 23:6-12 Taking it to the birds

More: Matthew 6:25-27 The missing part worked out for the birds

Jesus is talking to a Roman Centenarian (commander of 80 to 100 Roman soldiers).

• Who are the "children" of the "kingdom"?
• Which "kingdom" is this?

The Greek word translated as "unprofitable" is that of "not useful".

• What is "outer" "darkness"?
• What is "inner" "light"?
• What might be "inner" "darkness"?
• What might be "outer" "light"?

[black holes, dark matter, dark energy]

More: The weeping and the gnashing of the teeth

More: Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the talents in Matthew

This is the end for those without proper garments in the Parable of the Wedding Feast.

• Who are the "many"?
• Who are the "called"?
• Who are the "few"?
• Who are the "chose" or "elect"?

The joke for some denominational churches is "many are cold, a few are frozen".

More: The weeping and the gnashing of the teeth

While in church, you may hear God calling in many ways. However, God will not call you on your cell phone. So you can turn that off while in church.

More: Song: Twelve days of Christmas

More: Matthew 16:18 Calling a masterful gathering of outgoing church believers

The English word "clamor" comes, through French, from the Latin word "clamor" ≈ "shout, cry" which comes from the Latin word "clamo" ≈ "cry out, complain" which is related to the ancient Greek word "καλέω" ≈ "call". The "cl" in Latin changed into the "ll" in Spanish as in "llamar" ≈ "summon, call".

• English: What is it called?
• Spanish: ¿Cómo se llama?

The ancient Greek word "ἐκλεκτός" ≈ "picked out, selected" and is the source of the English word "eclectic" and "election" as in someone who is "chosen".
The Greek word is related to the Latin word "electio" ≈ "choice, selection". The modern Greek word "εκλέκτον" (eh-KLEH-kton) ≈ "elect, chosen".

By contrast, "ἐκκλησία" ≈ "assembly, called-out, church" as in a "group of believers".

More: Matthew 22:14 Election callings of the chosen elect

More: Matthew 16:18 Calling a masterful gathering of outgoing church believers

• The Greek word translated as "called" is part of the Greek word for "church" as in those believers "called out".
• The Greek word translated as "chosen" is that of "elected".

There is an old line, in or about denominational churches (that have a name), that goes as follows.

• Instead of "many are called, but few are chosen",
• the line is "many are cold, a few are frozen".

The line brings to mind the reference to cold and hot in the letter of Jesus to the Church of Laodicea in Revelation.

More: Revelation 3:15-16 Zesty hot and frigid cold

More: Matthew 22:14 Election callings of the chosen elect

Consider most sermons.

• Who are the "many"?
• Who are the "called"?
• Who are the "few"?
• Who are the "chose" or "elect"?

This verse is the only verse where Jesus makes this distinction of "many", "called", "few" and "chosen".

Should the Biblical context, as recorded by Matthew, be used in determining the meaning of these words?

Google AI (Artificial Intelligence) answer on 2025-06-29: Many are invited or called via the general call of the gospel, which is presented through the Bible, churches, missionaries, and any type of evangelism. Few are chosen means that, of those invited, only the elect (true followers of Jesus) will remain at the wedding feast in the kingdom of God.

Another question: What is the difference between being called and being chosen?

Another answer: However, being called is not enough to be a saint. We must respond to that calling (invitation). Positive action is required! To be chosen, a person must accept his or her calling, be grateful for it and move forward in serving God and His Son.

• Who are the "many"? How were they "called"?
• Who are the "few"? How many "few" are in these verses?
• What happened to the "few" who were "chosen" or "elected"?
• Why bind him "hand" and "foot"?
• Who were those already "destroyed"?

[cherry picked verses]

More: Selective evidence fallacy: Cherry picking

[compiler theory and practice]

• "ὀλίγοι" ≈ "little in size, value, duration, etc." (plural).
• "ὦ" ≈ "oh (joy or pain)".
• "λυκοί" ≈ "wolves" (could be a type of "bird").

What does Jesus mean when he says that "few" are "chosen" or "elected"? This verse is the only verse where Jesus makes this distinction of "many", "called", "few" and "chosen".

Should the Biblical context, as recorded by Matthew, be used in determining the meaning of these words? Here are examples of multiple lists?

• Santa: "naughty" and "nice".
• Dean: "Dean's List" and "Dean's Other List".

What list or lists (sometimes called a book) does God have?