Matthew 22: Exploring the Kingdom, Authority, and the Heart of the Law
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For many are called, but few are chosen.
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not?
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
They say unto him, Cesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
And last of all the woman died also.
Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Matthew 22 presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, encapsulating His escalating conflict with the religious leaders of Israel. This chapter, situated within Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, reveals profound truths about the Kingdom of Heaven, the balance of earthly and divine authority, and the essence of God's law. It's a chapter filled with parables, pointed questions, and ultimately, a glimpse into the divine nature of the Messiah.
The Parable of the Wedding Feast (22:1-14)
Jesus begins with a third parable directly aimed at the religious leaders, building upon the themes of rejection and judgment from the previous chapter. He likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a king who prepares a wedding feast for his son (Matthew 22:1-2). The invited guests refuse to attend, even mistreating and killing the king's servants sent to remind them (Matthew 22:3-6). Enraged, the king destroys the murderers and opens the invitation to anyone he can find, filling the banquet hall (Matthew 22:7-10).
This parable speaks powerfully to Israel's rejection of the Messiah. The original invitees represent the chosen people who, despite being given priority, turned away from God's gracious offer. The invitation extended to "anyone" symbolizes God's grace reaching out to the Gentiles, those previously considered outside the covenant.
However, the parable doesn't end there. The king discovers a guest without a wedding garment and has him thrown out (Matthew 22:11-13). This detail highlights the importance of genuine transformation and righteousness in entering the Kingdom. While the invitation is open to all, a heart truly changed and adorned with the "wedding garment" of Christ's righteousness is essential.
Some interpret the ejection as a description of the final judgment. Others see it as a picture of “sons of the kingdom” losing rewards in the millennial period (see 8:12). While they have accepted an invitation to enter the banquet, the messianic kingdom, those who do not utilize what God has provided and fail to be faithful servants will lose out on full participation in the millennial kingdom. As a result, they will experience profound regret. Many are called to salvation because of their faith in Christ, but few are chosen to rule with him in his millennial reign because of their unfaithfulness (see Luke 19:12-27; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 9:26-29; 2 Timothy 2:12).
The concluding verse, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14), serves as a sobering reminder that responding to God's call requires more than just accepting the invitation; it demands a commitment to living a life that reflects His character.
Render to Caesar and to God (22:15-22)
The Pharisees, seeking to trap Jesus, conspire with the Herodians (a political group supporting Roman rule) to ask Him a loaded question: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" (Matthew 22:17). This was a carefully calculated trap. Answering "yes" would alienate Him from the people who resented Roman occupation, while answering "no" would be seen as sedition against Rome.
Jesus, aware of their hypocrisy, asks to see a Roman coin. He inquires whose image and inscription are on it (Matthew 22:18-20). When they answer, "Caesar's," Jesus delivers His famous response: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21).
This profound statement establishes a crucial principle: believers have obligations to both earthly and divine authorities. We are to be responsible citizens, obeying the laws of the land and contributing to the well-being of society. However, our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. As image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:27), we owe Him our very selves.
The Pharisees and Herodians were amazed at Jesus’s clever answer and left. Jesus will leave you speechless.
The Resurrection and Eternal Life (22:23-33)
Next, the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, attempt to discredit the idea of eternal life. They present Jesus with a hypothetical scenario involving a woman married to seven brothers, one after the other (Matthew 22:23-28). They ask, "Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be?" (Matthew 22:28).
Jesus rebukes them for their ignorance of both the Scriptures and the power of God (Matthew 22:29). He explains that marriage is an earthly institution that will not exist in the resurrection. Instead, those who are resurrected "neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven" (Matthew 22:30).
Furthermore, Jesus uses the Sadducees' own Scriptures to prove the reality of the resurrection. He quotes God's declaration to Moses, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6; Matthew 22:32). Jesus argues that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Therefore, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob must still be alive in God's presence.
Once again, the crowds were astonished (Matthew 22:33).
The Greatest Commandment (22:34-40)
A Pharisee, a lawyer well-versed in the Old Testament law, poses a question to Jesus: "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" (Matthew 22:36). This was a topic of much debate among religious leaders at the time.
Jesus responds without hesitation, quoting Deuteronomy 6:5: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). He then adds, "This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:38-39).
These two commandments, Jesus declares, are the foundation upon which "all the Law and the Prophets depend" (Matthew 22:40). They encapsulate the essence of God's will for humanity: to love Him wholeheartedly and to extend that same love to others.
God wants a relationship with you. He wants you to love him, to passionately and righteously pursue his glory. So what does loving God look like? It requires all of your heart, soul, and mind—in other words, your entire being. Some of us Christians love God with some rather than with all, yet we want all of God. But you can’t love God some and love the world some because these two are antithetical to one another (see 1 John 2:15). God will not share you with anyone. Your love for him must be comprehensive.
It’s easy to say, “I love God,” but words can be cheap. So remember, love for God is consistently expressed when you obey his commands (see John 14:15; 1 John 5:3). Align your decisions with his expectations.
Whose Son is the Christ? (22:41-46)
Finally, Jesus turns the tables and poses a question to the Pharisees: "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" (Matthew 22:42). They correctly answer, "The son of David."
Jesus then asks, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet'?" (Matthew 22:43-44, quoting Psalm 110:1). If the Christ is merely David's descendant, how could David call Him "Lord"?
This question highlights the divine nature of the Messiah. While Jesus was indeed a descendant of David, He was also much more than that. He was the eternal Son of God, pre-existent and superior to David.
The Pharisees were stunned by Jesus’s words, unable to understand, and unable to answer. So no one dared to question him further (Matthew 22:46).
Matthew 22 offers a powerful and multifaceted portrait of Jesus' authority, wisdom, and divine identity. Through parables, skillful responses to trick questions, and thought-provoking inquiries, Jesus silences His opponents and reveals profound truths about the Kingdom of Heaven, the relationship between earthly and divine authority, and the core principles of God's law. This chapter serves as a compelling invitation to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are responding to God's call with genuine faith, wholehearted love, and a commitment to living a life that reflects His character.
And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For many are called, but few are chosen.
Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men.
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar, or not?
But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
They say unto him, Cesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
And last of all the woman died also.
Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Matthew 22 presents a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, encapsulating His escalating conflict with the religious leaders of Israel. This chapter, situated within Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, reveals profound truths about the Kingdom of Heaven, the balance of earthly and divine authority, and the essence of God's law. It's a chapter filled with parables, pointed questions, and ultimately, a glimpse into the divine nature of the Messiah.
The Parable of the Wedding Feast (22:1-14)
Jesus begins with a third parable directly aimed at the religious leaders, building upon the themes of rejection and judgment from the previous chapter. He likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a king who prepares a wedding feast for his son (Matthew 22:1-2). The invited guests refuse to attend, even mistreating and killing the king's servants sent to remind them (Matthew 22:3-6). Enraged, the king destroys the murderers and opens the invitation to anyone he can find, filling the banquet hall (Matthew 22:7-10).
This parable speaks powerfully to Israel's rejection of the Messiah. The original invitees represent the chosen people who, despite being given priority, turned away from God's gracious offer. The invitation extended to "anyone" symbolizes God's grace reaching out to the Gentiles, those previously considered outside the covenant.
However, the parable doesn't end there. The king discovers a guest without a wedding garment and has him thrown out (Matthew 22:11-13). This detail highlights the importance of genuine transformation and righteousness in entering the Kingdom. While the invitation is open to all, a heart truly changed and adorned with the "wedding garment" of Christ's righteousness is essential.
Some interpret the ejection as a description of the final judgment. Others see it as a picture of “sons of the kingdom” losing rewards in the millennial period (see 8:12). While they have accepted an invitation to enter the banquet, the messianic kingdom, those who do not utilize what God has provided and fail to be faithful servants will lose out on full participation in the millennial kingdom. As a result, they will experience profound regret. Many are called to salvation because of their faith in Christ, but few are chosen to rule with him in his millennial reign because of their unfaithfulness (see Luke 19:12-27; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 9:26-29; 2 Timothy 2:12).
The concluding verse, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14), serves as a sobering reminder that responding to God's call requires more than just accepting the invitation; it demands a commitment to living a life that reflects His character.
Render to Caesar and to God (22:15-22)
The Pharisees, seeking to trap Jesus, conspire with the Herodians (a political group supporting Roman rule) to ask Him a loaded question: "Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" (Matthew 22:17). This was a carefully calculated trap. Answering "yes" would alienate Him from the people who resented Roman occupation, while answering "no" would be seen as sedition against Rome.
Jesus, aware of their hypocrisy, asks to see a Roman coin. He inquires whose image and inscription are on it (Matthew 22:18-20). When they answer, "Caesar's," Jesus delivers His famous response: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21).
This profound statement establishes a crucial principle: believers have obligations to both earthly and divine authorities. We are to be responsible citizens, obeying the laws of the land and contributing to the well-being of society. However, our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. As image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:27), we owe Him our very selves.
The Pharisees and Herodians were amazed at Jesus’s clever answer and left. Jesus will leave you speechless.
The Resurrection and Eternal Life (22:23-33)
Next, the Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, attempt to discredit the idea of eternal life. They present Jesus with a hypothetical scenario involving a woman married to seven brothers, one after the other (Matthew 22:23-28). They ask, "Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be?" (Matthew 22:28).
Jesus rebukes them for their ignorance of both the Scriptures and the power of God (Matthew 22:29). He explains that marriage is an earthly institution that will not exist in the resurrection. Instead, those who are resurrected "neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven" (Matthew 22:30).
Furthermore, Jesus uses the Sadducees' own Scriptures to prove the reality of the resurrection. He quotes God's declaration to Moses, "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6; Matthew 22:32). Jesus argues that God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Therefore, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob must still be alive in God's presence.
Once again, the crowds were astonished (Matthew 22:33).
The Greatest Commandment (22:34-40)
A Pharisee, a lawyer well-versed in the Old Testament law, poses a question to Jesus: "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" (Matthew 22:36). This was a topic of much debate among religious leaders at the time.
Jesus responds without hesitation, quoting Deuteronomy 6:5: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). He then adds, "This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:38-39).
These two commandments, Jesus declares, are the foundation upon which "all the Law and the Prophets depend" (Matthew 22:40). They encapsulate the essence of God's will for humanity: to love Him wholeheartedly and to extend that same love to others.
God wants a relationship with you. He wants you to love him, to passionately and righteously pursue his glory. So what does loving God look like? It requires all of your heart, soul, and mind—in other words, your entire being. Some of us Christians love God with some rather than with all, yet we want all of God. But you can’t love God some and love the world some because these two are antithetical to one another (see 1 John 2:15). God will not share you with anyone. Your love for him must be comprehensive.
It’s easy to say, “I love God,” but words can be cheap. So remember, love for God is consistently expressed when you obey his commands (see John 14:15; 1 John 5:3). Align your decisions with his expectations.
Whose Son is the Christ? (22:41-46)
Finally, Jesus turns the tables and poses a question to the Pharisees: "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" (Matthew 22:42). They correctly answer, "The son of David."
Jesus then asks, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet'?" (Matthew 22:43-44, quoting Psalm 110:1). If the Christ is merely David's descendant, how could David call Him "Lord"?
This question highlights the divine nature of the Messiah. While Jesus was indeed a descendant of David, He was also much more than that. He was the eternal Son of God, pre-existent and superior to David.
The Pharisees were stunned by Jesus’s words, unable to understand, and unable to answer. So no one dared to question him further (Matthew 22:46).
Matthew 22 offers a powerful and multifaceted portrait of Jesus' authority, wisdom, and divine identity. Through parables, skillful responses to trick questions, and thought-provoking inquiries, Jesus silences His opponents and reveals profound truths about the Kingdom of Heaven, the relationship between earthly and divine authority, and the core principles of God's law. This chapter serves as a compelling invitation to examine our own hearts and ensure that we are responding to God's call with genuine faith, wholehearted love, and a commitment to living a life that reflects His character.