In the parable, a king prepares a wedding feast for his son and sends out servants to invite guests. However, those who are invited refuse to come, making excuses and even mistreating the king’s messengers. In response, the king becomes angry and sends out his servants again, this time inviting anyone they can find, both good and bad, to fill the wedding hall. When the king enters the feast, he notices a man who is not wearing wedding attire. The king questions him, and the man is speechless. Consequently, the king instructs his servants to bind the man hand and foot and cast him into outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. This parable underscores the idea that God’s invitation to His kingdom is open to all, regardless of their background or past, but acceptance of the invitation requires a heart of faith and repentance. It also highlights the responsibility of those who accept the invitation to live in accordance with God’s standards, as represented by the wedding attire.
Parable of the Wedding Feast Meaning
The Parable of the Wedding Feast meaning can be found in Matthew 22:1-14 and Luke 14:16-24:
Matthew 22:1-14
“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.”
Luke 14:16-24
“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”
Lord's Library participates in affiliate programs. We may make a small commission from products purchased through this resource.
- The 6 Best Philemon Commentaries to Read in 2024 - December 19, 2024
- The 6 Best Philemon Bible Study Books to Read in 2024 - December 19, 2024
- Romans 3:20 Meaning: Commentary on an Important Scripture - December 19, 2024
