Matthew 22:1

ยถ And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} and spake {G2036} unto them {G846} again {G3825} by {G1722} parables {G3850}, and said {G3004},

Yeshua again used parables in speaking to them:

Once again, Jesus spoke to them in parables:

And Jesus answered and spake again in parables unto them, saying,

Commentary

Matthew 22:1 introduces the beginning of another significant parable spoken by Jesus. This verse acts as a transition, signaling that Jesus is about to continue His teaching through allegorical stories, directly following a period of intense confrontation with the religious leaders in Jerusalem.

Context

This verse immediately follows the conclusion of Matthew chapter 21, where Jesus delivered the parables of the Two Sons and the Wicked Husbandmen. These parables were pointed critiques aimed squarely at the chief priests and elders, who understood that Jesus was speaking about them and their rejection of God's messengers and ultimately, His Son (Matthew 21:45). Despite their desire to arrest Him, they held back due to fear of the crowds who regarded Jesus as a prophet. Matthew 22:1 shows Jesus, undeterred by their hostility, immediately continuing His discourse with them, using yet another parable to illustrate spiritual truth and judgment.

Key Themes

  • Continued Teaching by Parables: Jesus persistently uses parables as His primary teaching method, which serves both to reveal truth to receptive hearts and obscure it from those who are hardened or hostile.
  • Addressing Opposition: This verse highlights Jesus' direct engagement with the religious authorities who opposed Him, continuing to challenge their authority and spiritual blindness.
  • Divine Authority: By continuing to teach and confront the leaders despite their animosity, Jesus demonstrates His own divine authority and unwavering purpose.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "And Jesus answered" (แผ€ฯ€ฮฟฮบฯฮนฮธฮตแฝถฯ‚ - apokritheis) might seem odd since no direct question is recorded just before this verse. However, in biblical Greek, this word often means to respond, not just to a verbal question, but to a situation or previous actions. Here, it signifies Jesus' response to the religious leaders' understanding and reaction to the previous parables and their underlying hostility. He is responding to their thoughts and intentions.

The phrase "spake unto them again by parables" emphasizes the continuation of this teaching method. It shows Jesus reiterating His message and challenge through this powerful, illustrative form.

Reflection

Jesus' decision to speak "again by parables" immediately after the religious leaders understood His previous parables were about them, and they sought to seize Him, underscores His courage and commitment to truth. He doesn't shy away from exposing hypocrisy and unbelief, even in the face of danger. His continued use of parables invites listeners to look beyond the surface story to grasp deeper spiritual realities, particularly concerning the Kingdom of Heaven and accountability before God, themes central to the parable that follows in Matthew 22:2.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 12:43

    When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

  • Matthew 12:45

    Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

  • Matthew 20:1

    ยถ For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man [that is] an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

  • Matthew 20:16

    So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

  • Luke 14:16

    Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

  • Mark 4:33

    And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear [it].

  • Mark 4:34

    But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.
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