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Matthew 22:1-14
With thanks to page sponsor 2014:
The Rev. Joan Smoke
Trinity Episcopal Church
Troy, Ohio .

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • At (Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts:
    • From the Babylonian Talmud: Beggar At A Banquet (Berakoth 31b), Banquet Attire (Shabbath 513a), and Clean Clothes (Shabbath 152b).
    • Primary comparative texts about Food & Fellowship (including "preparing for the real banquet").
  • Chapter IV of the Epistle of Barnabas. (ca. 130) 
  • XXX.10, 12, 16-18, 20-21, 24, 26-30; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160). 
  • IV.XXXVI.5, IV.XXXVI.6, IV.XXXIX.3, V.XXXVI.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180) 
  • 1.10, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200) 
  • Chapter XXVII, Chapter XXXV, On the Resurrection of the Flesh,  Tertullian (c. 211) 
  • Concerning Flight in Persecution (paragraph 14) Tertullian (c. 212) 
  • Chapter IX, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217) 
  • II.V.2, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225) 
  • I.34, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • XII.12, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247) 
  • V.1, Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius of Caesarea, (c. 320). 
  • Latin text of Augustine's Sermon 90 (Mt 22:1-14).
  • Homily LXIX - Matthew 22:1-14, Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew, St. Chrysostom (c. 380)
  • From the Catena Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas.
  • "Parable of the Marriage Feast," Matthew 22:1-14, Martin Luther, c. 1523.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "Not all of the whole company of those that are called by the voice of the gospel are the true Church before God: for the most part of them would rather follow the conveniences of this life: and some persecute very cruelly those that call them: but they are the true Church who obey when they are called, such as for the most part are those whom the world despises."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Our merciful God has not only provided food, but a royal feast, for the perishing souls of his rebellious creatures..."     "...Our merciful God has not only provided food, but a royal feast, for the perishing souls of his rebellious creatures."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "A king, who made a marriage feast for his son - So did God, when he brought his first-begotten into the world."
  • On the Wedding Garment (Matt 22:12). Sermon by John Wesley.
    • "It is true, indeed, that none ought to approach the Lord's table without habitual, at least, if not actual, preparation; that is, a firm purpose to keep all the commandments of God, and a sincere desire to receive all his promises. But that obligation cannot be inferred from this text, though it may from many other passages of Scripture."
  • "Making Light of Christ; Matthew 22:5," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1856.
    • "...it is making light of the gospel and of the whole of God's glorious things, when men go to hear and yet do not attend. How many frequent churches and chapels to indulge in a comfortable nap!"
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "...which had not on a wedding garment--The language here is drawn from the following remarkable passage in Zep 1:7, 8."
  • "The Wedding Garment; Matthew 22:11-14," Charles H. Spurgeon, 1871.
    • "Those who are permitted to see large additions to the church will find this parable of the wedding garment to be singularly appropriate and timely."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "It was the custom among the ancients for the guests to be twice invited; or rather first invited, that they might prepare themselves, and then summoned a short time before the banquet, that they might be there at the proper time."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Matthew 22:1-14, Erick J. Thompson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
    • "This parable comes across as a difficult text about judgement. Yet, it has some important and useful aspects that commend itself to preaching."
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2017.
  • "What Not to Wear," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2017.
  • A Provocation, Richard Swanson, provoking the gospel, 2017.
  • "The Wedding Banquet: Turning It Inside Out," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2017.
    • "What if those invited did not come to the banquet as a sign of protest?"
  • "Dangerous Feasts," Glenn Monson, Law & Gospel Everywhere, 2017.
  • "Gratitude and Lament" Matthew Lundberg, Journey with Jesus, 2017.
  • Commentary, Matthew 22:1-14, Lance Pape, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "But before we decide that this is just Matthew working out some rhetorical violence against opponents, and assuring his own community that they are on the right side of salvation history, we should read the story to the end: a denouement is coming, and it’s a doozy."
  • "Preaching an Ugly Parable," David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2014.
    • "If we can practice trusting God enough to resist condemnation but instead pray for our loved ones, we might find ourselves more capable of sharing why what we believe is important to us (rather than just insisting that believing is what matters)."
  • "Hospitality 101," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2014.
  • "The Kingdom of the Heavens v. the Kingdom of an Earthly King," D. Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2014.
  • "Be Ready for the Wedding," Christopher Burkett, Preacher Rhetorica, 2014.
    • "...there is still a choice to be made. Don't gloat over those first unfortunates. They were calculating instead of being open to receive. And that calculation did them no good. You have received open heartedly but you must make sure the gift touches your heart and soul."
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
  • "What to Wear to the Party...Or Not," Stan Duncan, If you Lived Here You'd Be Home by Now, 2014.
  • "To Hell with the Bully God," Michael Anthony Howard, The Pacific Pilgrim, 2014.
    • "Rather than the portrayal of a bully god, I believe this parable should be the anthem of the unchosen–those who are treated like they don’t fit in with everyone else."
  • "Forgiveness Is..." Andrew King, A Poetic Kind of Place, 2014.
  • "The Wedding Robe," Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2014.
    • "In a parable which is so hard to comprehend, it does at least help me understand its meaning when I realize that the wedding robes were actually provided to the guests. How about you?"
  • "Nothing to Wear?" Thomas Beam, 2014.
  • "Bombs instead of Birdseed," Rev. Roy Terry, Question the Text, 2014.
  • "We All Seek the Kingdom," Andrew Prior, First Impressions, 2014.
  • The Wedding Feast, Nancy Rockwell, The Bite in the Apple, 2014.
  • As Jesus shows in his parable comparing the kingdom of God to a wedding banquet, the invitation to it is not a casual matter.We see this also in the delightful film Pieces of April. It is not a wedding banquet but a Thanksgiving dinner that April Burns has invited her unwilling guests to. Ed McNulty, Visual Parables.
  • "Come as You Are," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer.
    • "In our world, clothing makes the person. Appropriate attire is required and we judge people by outward appearances. But in the strange kingdom of God, there is no dress code. Everyone is welcome at the table, everyone is accepted, 'all are called, all are chosen.'"
  • Commentary, Matthew 22:1-14, Sharon H. Ringe, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "I am drawn to understand this double parable through the lens of James 2, and the tension between his affirmation that one's faith can be seen in one's "works" (by which he means deeds, especially deeds of justice and compassion), and Paul's more famous affirmation (in Galatians and Romans) that our standing before God depends only on our acceptance of God's grace."
      
  • "A Biblical Case of Class Warfare," Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, ON Scripture, 2011.
    • "Political pundits and powerbrokers insist on arguing over terminology—whether it is “class warfare” or “socialism.” On the contrary, people at the bottom of the social ladder cannot afford to banter over such nomenclature."
  • Parable of the Wedding Banquet, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2011.
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Matthew 22:1-14, David Ewart, 2011.
    • "How is this a parable teaching about what the Kingdom of Heaven is like? What sort of behaviours and attitudes does it call for now? At a minimum it means: expect to have to hang out with non-elites - good and bad all together; take seriously the honour of the invitation and do it right."
  • "An Epic Party,"Fr. Rick Morley, a garden path, 2011.
  • "Murder and Mayhem," Debbie Blue, The Hardest Question, 2011.
    • "Why does the image of God as a sadistic brutal violent tyrant persist even in the face of Jesus? Does it say something about us?"
  • Comentario del Evangelio por Dyanna Castillo Portugal, San Mateo 22:1-14, Working Preacher, 2011.
  • Commentary, Matthew 22:1-14, Ira Brent Driggers, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "Excuses to Avoid a Wedding," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
    • "People always have excuses why they don?t have time for God and the ways of God."
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian P. Stoffregen at CrossMarks.
    • "This text confronts us with the paradox of God's free invitation to the banquet with no strings attached and God's requirement of "putting on" something appropriate to that calling. As with all paradoxes, both are true, and concentrating only on one extreme is unhealthy. The trick is learning to manage the two extremes -- knowing when to appropriate apply each one."
  • "First Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages in the Lectionary: Pentecost 18," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "The challenge of the story lies both in the warning about refusals and in the richness of the image of salvation as a feast...Beyond the strategy to save the party at the story level is the much richer notion of God's generosity, not as an afterthought, but as God's enthusiastic being and delight in all people and pain at their refusal to share the life freely offered."
  • Progress and Poverty, William Loader.
    • "A reflection on poverty and the 'march of progress', connected to the vision and reality of the feast."
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Proper 23. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church.
  • Matthew in the Margins, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • "Matthew 22:1-14, Pentecost 21," Perspectives on the Parables -- Glimpses on the Kingdom of God, Robert H. Albers, Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1984.
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, Ordinary 28A, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
  • "Equal Dignity for All," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
    • "Have you ever helped someone get ahead in life? How has the experience improve that person's dignity?"
  • "The 'Outer Darkness': Heaven's Suburb or Hell?" by Hampton Keathley IV at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "...this parable is correctly identified as a salvation parable—about getting into the kingdom—not about the works one does as a Christian. This parable cannot be used to teach perseverance of the saints or loss of salvation."
  • "Parable of the Wedding Feast," wikipedia
  • "The Kingdom of Heaven Suffers Violence: Discerning the Suffering Servant in the Parable of the Wedding Banquet," W. Martin Aiken, 2003. At Paul Nuechterlein's Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary. (.doc file)
    • "The servant figure in the parable with whom Jesus identifies is the man without the wedding garment who suffers expulsion, and worse, at the hand of the king."
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Albers, Robert H., "Perspectives on the Parables - Glimpses of the Kingdom of God," Word & World, 1984. (Section on this text begins on page 450.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Batstone, David B., "Jesus, Apocalyptic, and World Transformation," Theology Today, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Bauckham, Richard, "The Parable of the Royal Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14) and the Parable of the Lame Man and the Blind Man (Apocryphon of Ezekial)," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1996.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Bridges, Linda McKinnish, "Preaching the Parables in Matthew's Gospel in Ordinary Time: The Extraordinary Tales of God's World," Review & Expositor, 2007. (Section on this text begins on p.352, but is best read in context of entire article.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Carter, Warren, "Resisting and Imitating the Empire: Imperial Paradigms in Two Matthean Parables," Interpretation, 2002. (See also, "Parables," issue focus of Interpretation 56.3 (2002).)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Grindal, Gracia, "Dress Code," The Christian Century, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • "Homiletical Helps on LSB Series A," Concordia Journal, 2005. (Section on this text begins on page 244)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerial
  • Johnson-Siebold, Judith, "An Invitation," The Christian Century, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Jones, Susan Pendleton, "Party Time," The Christian Century, 1999.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lester, Carter, "Matthew 22:1-14," Interpretation, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Komp, Diane M., "Invitation to a Simple Feast," Theology Today, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Krentz, Edgar, "Risky Business," The Christian Century, 1996.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Musurillo, Herbert, "'Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen': Matthew 22:14," Theological Studies, 1946.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Olson, Daniel C., "Mathew 22:1-14 as Midrash," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2005.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Palmer, Humphrey, "Just Married, Cannot Come," Novum Testamentum, 1976.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Reid, Barbara E., O.P., "Violent Endings in Matthew's Parables and Christian Nonviolence," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Sim, David C., "Matthew 22:13a and 1 Enoch 10:4a: A Case of Literary Dependence?" Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 1992.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Story, J Lyle, "All Is Now Ready," American Theological Inquiry, 2009.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Via, Dan Otto, Jr., "Relationship of Form to Content in the Parables: The Wedding Feast," Interpretation, 1971.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Wainwright, Elaine Mary, "God Wills To Invite All to the Banquet, Matthew 22:1-10," International Review of Mission, 1988.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Ready for the Feast?" 21 Pentecost - 9 October 2005, Samuel Zumwalt, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "Excuses to Avoid a Wedding," Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "Wanted: Entrepreneurs," the Rev. Dr. Samuel Massey, Day 1, 2002.
  • "Sorry, I'm Busy," the Rev. Dr. Elton Richards, Day 1, 1996.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
    • Ordinary 28, 2005
    • Ordinary 28, 1999
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2014. 2011.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," October 12, 2014, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Exodus 32:1-14 and Swimmy by Leo Lionni, Philippians 4:1-9 and Olympig! by Victoria Jamieson, Matthew 22:1-14 and A Single Pearl by Donna Jo Napoli. 2011.
  • Amanda's Special Party -- Children's story based on Matthew 22:1-14 by Janice B. Scott from The Village Shepherd
  • "You Are Invited," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "A King Gives a Wedding Banquet," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
• Drama:
  • "The King's Invitation," Warren Judkins, dramatix.
  • "Let's Have a Party," Edgar Mayer, dramatix.
  • "The Banquet Guests," from A Certain Jesus by Jose Ignacio and Maria Lopez Vigil. Ideal for catechetical and liturgical dramatization of today's gospel. Claretian Publications.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Matthew 22:9, Matthew 22:12, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Matthew 22:1-14, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Matthew 22:1-14, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • Matthew 22:1-14, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
• Hymns and Music:
  • "A King Planned a Party" is an original hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette on Jesus' Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14). Tune: ASH GROVE 6.6.11.6.6.11 D ("Let All Things Now Living").
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Matthew 22:4, 9. The Cyber Hymnal.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Matthew

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