Matthew 22:3

Matthew 22:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
• New International Version (NIV)He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.
• English Standard Version (ESV)and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.
• New King James Version (NKJV)and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.

Context of Matthew 22:3

1Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2“The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to summon those who had been invited to the banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, “Look! The feast I have prepared for you is ready. My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.”’ 5But they were indifferent and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.

Matthew 22:3 word by word

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν τοὺς δούλους αὐτοῦ καλέσαι τοὺς κεκλημένους εἰς τοὺς γάμους, καὶ οὐκ ἤθελον ἐλθεῖν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• sent forthἀποστέλλωapostellō · to sendG649
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• servantsδοῦλοςdoulos · slaveG1401
• to callκαλέωkaleō · to call: callG2564
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• the weddingγάμοςgamos · weddingG1062
• they wouldθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• notοὐou · noG3756
• comeἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064

Cross-references for Matthew 22:3

• Matthew 3:2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
• Matthew 10:6Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
• Psalms 68:11The Lord speaks; many, many women spread the good news.
• Proverbs 9:1Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out its seven pillars.
• Isaiah 55:1“Hey, all who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come! Buy and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk without money and without cost!
• Jeremiah 25:4Over and over again the Lord has sent his servants the prophets to you. But you have not listened or paid attention.
• Jeremiah 35:15I sent all my servants the prophets to warn you over and over again. They said, “Every one of you, stop doing the evil things you have been doing and do what is right. Do not pay allegiance to other gods and worship them. Then you can continue to live in this land that I gave to you and your ancestors.” But you did not pay any attention or listen to me.
• Mark 6:7Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two. He gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
• Luke 9:1After Jesus called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,
• Luke 14:15When one of those at the meal with Jesus heard this, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will feast in the kingdom of God!”
• Revelation 22:17And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say: “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wants it take the water of life free of charge.
• 1 Samuel 9:13When you enter the town, you can find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people won’t eat until he arrives, for he must bless the sacrifice. Once that happens, those who have been invited will eat. Now go on up, for this is the time when you can find him!”
• Zephaniah 1:7Be silent before the Lord God, for the Lord’s day of judgment is almost here. The Lord has prepared a sacrificial meal; he has ritually purified his guests.
• Matthew 23:37“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would have none of it!
• Psalms 81:10I am the Lord, your God, the one who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it!’
• Proverbs 1:24However, because I called but you refused to listen, because I stretched out my hand but no one paid attention,

Commentaries on Matthew 22:3

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3And sent forth his servants - These represent the messengers that God has sent to invite people to his kingdom. To call them that were bidden - That is, to give notice to those who had before been invited that the feast was ready. It appears that there were two invitations - one considerably previous to the time of the feast, that they might have opportunity to prepare for it, and the other to give notice of the precise time when they were expected. The…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-5those he had invited: This refers to the nation of Israel. They ignored God's servants, the prophets (see study note on Matthew 21:33–46).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. and sent forth his servants--representing all preachers of the Gospel. to call them that were bidden--here meaning the Jews, who were "bidden," from the first choice of them onwards through every summons addressed to them by the prophets to hold themselves in readiness for the appearing of their King. to the wedding--or the marriage festivities, when the preparations were all concluded. and they would not come--as the issue of the whole ministry of the…Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 22:3

• Covetousness
• Feasts
• Hospitality
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Kingdom of Heaven
• Wicked (People)
• Worldliness

In the dictionaries

• Abundance
• Banquet
• Commandment
• Darkness
• Dinner
• Entangle
• Entertain
• Friend
• Guest
• Image

Commentaries on Matthew 22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings