Matthew 22:3

KJV

And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} sent forth {G649} his {G846} servants {G1401} to call {G2564} them that were bidden {G2564} to {G1519} the wedding {G1062}: and {G2532} they would {G2309} not {G3756} come {G2064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but when he sent his slaves to summon the invited guests to the wedding, they refused to come.

Berean Standard Bible

He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.

American Standard Version

and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the marriage feast: and they would not come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 22:3 presents the initial, critical moment in Jesus' Parable of the Wedding Feast, where a king dispatches his servants to summon those previously invited to his son's wedding, only to be met with a decisive refusal. This verse immediately sets the stage for the parable's central theme: the gracious, persistent invitation of God to His kingdom, and humanity's often-rebellious rejection of that divine call, particularly highlighting the initial unresponsiveness of the nation of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the third in the [Parable of the Wedding Feast](/matthew/22-1-14 "Matthew 22:1-14 - The Parable of the Wedding Feast"), which Jesus tells in the temple courts in Jerusalem, directly after a series of parables (like [the Parable of the Two Sons](/matthew/21-28-32 "Matthew 21:28-32 - Parable of the Two Sons") and [the Parable of the Wicked Tenants](/matthew/21-33-46 "Matthew 21:33-46 - Parable of the Wicked Tenants")) that illustrate Israel's rejection of God's messengers and their impending judgment. The parable immediately follows a confrontation with the chief priests and elders who questioned Jesus' authority. It serves as a stark warning to those religious leaders and to the nation of Israel, illustrating the consequences of spurning God's ultimate invitation through His Son. The narrative flow moves from the initial invitation and rejection (v. 3), to a second, more urgent invitation and violent rejection (vv. 4-6), culminating in the king's wrath and the extension of the invitation to new guests (vv. 7-10), and finally, a warning about proper attire for the feast (vv. 11-14).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern wedding customs often involved a two-stage invitation process: an initial "bidding" or preliminary invitation, followed by a second summons when the feast was ready. To refuse a king's invitation, especially to a royal wedding, was not merely impolite but a profound insult, a public act of defiance that could be construed as treason. Such an act would carry significant social and political ramifications, demonstrating contempt for the host's honor and authority. The parable, therefore, would have resonated deeply with Jesus' Jewish audience, who understood the gravity of such a refusal in a hierarchical society where honor and shame were paramount. This cultural backdrop underscores the shocking nature of the guests' rejection and the king's subsequent response.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 22:3 introduces several critical themes that permeate the parable and the broader Gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Initiative and Invitation**, portraying God (the King) as the one who graciously extends an invitation to participate in the joyous celebration of His kingdom. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Role of God's Messengers**, represented by the "servants" who are sent to deliver the divine summons. Throughout salvation history, God has consistently sent prophets, John the Baptist, and ultimately Jesus Himself, to call people to repentance and relationship (cf. [Matthew 21:34-36](/matthew/21-34-36 "Matthew 21:34-36 - Parable of the Wicked Tenants")). Most significantly, the verse immediately confronts the theme of **Human Rejection and Unwillingness**. The phrase "they would not come" points to a deliberate, volitional refusal, not an inability. This foreshadows Israel's historical pattern of rejecting God's prophets and, ultimately, their Messiah, as lamented by Jesus in [Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jesus' Lament Over Jerusalem"). This rejection sets up the subsequent turning of the invitation to others.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **servants (Greek, _doûlos'_):** From G1401, meaning "a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)." In this context, "servants" refers to those utterly devoted to the king's will, acting as his agents. The term highlights their complete submission and the authority with which they deliver the king's message. Theologically, these represent God's prophets, John the Baptist, and later, the apostles and all who proclaim the gospel.
* **to call / bidden (Greek, _kaléō'_):** From G2564, meaning "to 'call' (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)." This word is used twice in the verse, once for the act of calling ("to call them") and once for the state of being called ("them that were bidden"). It signifies a formal, authoritative invitation, emphasizing that the guests were not merely informed but specifically summoned by the king's command. This highlights the divine prerogative in extending the invitation to the kingdom.
* **would not (Greek, _thélō'_):** From G2309, meaning "to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse...); i.e. choose or prefer...to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly)." This Greek word is crucial as it indicates a conscious, volitional refusal rather than a mere inability or oversight. The guests actively "did not wish" or "were unwilling" to come, underscoring their deliberate choice to reject the king's gracious and honorable invitation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And sent forth his servants":** This clause establishes the king's proactive initiative and generosity. He is the one who orchestrates the feast and extends the invitation, demonstrating his desire for his invited guests to partake in the joy. The "servants" are his authorized messengers, acting on his behalf to convey his will.
* **"to call them that were bidden to the wedding":** This phrase clarifies the purpose of the servants' mission: to issue the final summons to those who had already received an initial invitation. The "wedding" (G1062, _gámos_) of his son is the central event, symbolizing the joyous inauguration of the kingdom of heaven, often depicted as a feast in biblical imagery. The fact that these guests were "bidden" (or "called") previously emphasizes their privileged status and the expectation of their attendance.
* **"and they would not come":** This final, stark clause reveals the shocking and defiant response of the invited guests. Their unwillingness (G2309, _thélō_) to attend signifies a deliberate rejection of the king's honor, his son, and the feast itself. This refusal is the pivotal point of the verse, setting in motion the subsequent developments of the parable and highlighting the theme of human resistance to divine grace.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Matthew 22:3, and indeed the entire passage, is **Parable**. Jesus uses this extended metaphor to convey spiritual truth about the kingdom of heaven and the response to God's invitation. The characters and events within the story are **Symbolism**: the "king" symbolizes God, the "son" represents Jesus Christ, the "wedding feast" symbolizes the kingdom of heaven or the Messianic banquet, the "servants" symbolize God's messengers (proph**ets, John the Baptist, Jesus' disciples), and the "bidden" guests initially represent the nation of Israel, particularly its religious leaders. There is also a subtle element of **Irony** in the guests' refusal; they are invited to a joyous, honorable event by a king, yet they choose to reject it, demonstrating a profound misunderstanding of the value of the invitation and the identity of the host.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 22:3 powerfully illustrates God's persistent grace and humanity's often-rebellious response. It underscores the truth that God initiates the relationship, extending a generous and honorable invitation to partake in the blessings of His kingdom. However, it also highlights the solemn reality of human free will and the capacity for deliberate rejection. The "unwillingness" of the guests is a profound theological statement about human culpability and the seriousness of spurning divine overtures. This initial rejection by those first invited sets the stage for God's gracious extension of the invitation to others, a foundational theme in redemptive history where the gospel, initially offered to Israel, is subsequently extended to the Gentiles due to Israel's widespread unbelief.

* [Luke 14:16-24](/luke/14-16-24 "Luke 14:16-24 - The Parable of the Great Supper")
* [Isaiah 55:1-3](/isaiah/55-1-3 "Isaiah 55:1-3 - Invitation to God's Feast")
* [Proverbs 1:24-25](/proverbs/1-24-25 "Proverbs 1:24-25 - Wisdom's Rejected Call")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 22:3 serves as a profound mirror for our own hearts. It compels us to consider our response to God's ongoing invitation to His kingdom and fellowship. Are we among those who, despite being "bidden," find excuses or simply "would not come"? The parable warns against spiritual indifference, preoccupation with worldly affairs, or outright contempt for God's gracious call. The King's invitation is not a casual suggestion but a summons of immense honor and eternal significance. Our response to the gospel determines our destiny. This verse challenges us to embrace the invitation with eager hearts, recognizing the immeasurable privilege of being called to the wedding feast of the Lamb. It reminds us that God's grace is freely offered, but it requires a willing and obedient response.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "excuses" or preoccupations in my life might prevent me from fully embracing God's invitation to His kingdom and purposes?**
* **How seriously do I take the "wedding invitation" of the gospel in my daily life? Am I living as one who has truly accepted it?**
* **In what ways might I be like the "servants" in this parable, and how faithfully am I extending God's invitation to others?**

### FAQ
**Who do the "servants" and "them that were bidden" represent in this parable?**

Answer: In the context of Matthew's Gospel and Jesus' ministry, the "servants" primarily represent God's messengers throughout salvation history. This includes the Old Testament prophets who repeatedly called Israel to repentance and obedience (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:25](/jeremiah/7-25 "Jeremiah 7:25 - God Sends Prophets")), John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus, and ultimately, Jesus' own disciples and apostles who would carry the message of the kingdom after Him. "Them that were bidden" initially refers to the nation of Israel, particularly its religious leaders and the Jewish people who had received God's covenant promises and prophetic invitations for centuries. They were the first to receive the divine call to the Messianic kingdom, yet many, as depicted in the parable, would reject it, leading to the invitation being extended to others, including the Gentiles, as seen later in [Matthew 22:9-10](/matthew/22-9-10 "Matthew 22:9-10 - The Invitation Extended").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 22:3, with its depiction of a king sending servants to invite guests to his son's wedding, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the Son for whom the wedding feast is prepared, and His coming inaugurated the kingdom of heaven, the very "feast" to which humanity is invited. The initial "bidden" guests, representing Israel, were called through the prophets and ultimately through Christ Himself, who came "to His own, and His own did not receive Him" ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - Jesus Rejected by His Own")). Jesus is the ultimate messenger, the one who not only delivers the invitation but *is* the invitation, embodying the very grace and truth of God ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The rejection highlighted in this verse foreshadows the cross, where the Son, the very heart of the feast, was spurned by those He came to save ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - He Was Despised and Rejected")). Yet, in His resurrection and ascension, Jesus secured the New Covenant, opening the way for a new set of guests—all who believe—to be called to the "marriage supper of the Lamb" ([Revelation 19:9](/revelation/19-9 "Revelation 19:9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")), a feast made possible by His atoning sacrifice. Thus, Matthew 22:3 not only describes a past rejection but also anticipates the universal call of the gospel, extended through Christ to all who will willingly come.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 22:17

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Luke 14:15

¶ And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed [is] he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

Luke 14:17

And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

John 5:40

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Romans 10:21

But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

1 Samuel 9:13

As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; [and] afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

Matthew 23:37

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!