Matthew 22:1-22

1Again Jesus used stories as illustrations when he spoke to them. He said,

2“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who planned a wedding for his son.

3He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the wedding, but they refused to come.

4He sent other servants to tell the people who had been invited, ‘I’ve prepared dinner. My bulls and fattened calves have been butchered. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding!’

5“But they paid no attention and went away. Some went to work in their own fields, and others went to their businesses.

6The rest grabbed the king’s servants, mistreated them, and then killed them.

7“The king became angry. He sent his soldiers, killed those murderers, and burned their city.

8“Then the king said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited don’t deserve the honor.

9Go where the roads leave the city. Invite everyone you find to the wedding.’

10The servants went into the streets and brought in all the good people and all the evil people they found. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11“When the king came to see the guests, he saw a person who was not dressed in the wedding clothes ⌞provided for the guests⌟.

12He said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without proper wedding clothes?’ “The man had nothing to say.

13Then the king told his servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him outside into the darkness. People will cry and be in extreme pain there.’

14“Therefore, many are invited, but few of those are chosen to stay.”

15Then the Pharisees went away and planned to trap Jesus into saying the wrong thing.

16They sent their disciples to him along with Herod’s followers. They said to him, “Teacher, we know that you tell the truth and that you teach the truth about the way of God. You don’t favor individuals because of who they are.

17So tell us what you think. Is it right to pay taxes to the emperor or not?”

18Jesus recognized their evil plan, so he asked, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites?

19Show me a coin used to pay taxes.” They brought him a coin.

20He said to them, “Whose face and name is this?”

21They replied, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Very well, give the emperor what belongs to the emperor, and give God what belongs to God.”

22They were surprised to hear this. Then they left him alone and went away.