Read: Matthew 22:1-14
Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside. (v. 13 NIV)
At first it seems so unfair. A king has thrown a wedding feast for his son, but all of the originally invited guests who had RSVP’d now refused to come (vv. 2-6). So the king’s servants invited replacement guests from near and far (vv. 8-10), “the bad as well as the good” (v. 10). In the process, a man tried to enter without proper wedding clothes (v. 11).
How could everyone in a culture of rampant poverty be expected to own festive attire? Probably, the king had a wide selection of such garments available; those without them were allowed to borrow them for the day. Because the man gave no excuse when he was confronted (v. 12), he presumably recognized that he had snubbed the king’s offer. There are two ways to remain outside God’s kingdom—by staying away altogether or by seeming to enter but not on God’s terms.
The judgment for both categories of individuals is shockingly harsh (vv. 7, 13). The stakes are eternally high. Yet both knew exactly what they were doing in their rebellion. Jesus is not using the verb call here (v. 14 KJV, NASB, ESV) the way Paul will in Romans 8:30. The NIV, CSB, and CEB are clearer: “many are invited, but few are chosen.” And those who respond rightly show that they are the chosen.
As you pray, ask God to show you if you are trying to come to him on your terms rather than his.
Craig L. Blomberg is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He has written or edited more than 30 books, including a recently revised and expanded commentary on Matthew. He teaches regularly in churches, including his home church of Centennial Covenant in Littleton, CO. He and his wife Fran have two daughters and three grandchildren.
