This parable of the wedding feast and the invited guests presents us with several difficulties as Matthew tells it. A much simpler version is given by Luke (14:16-24). Luke’s telling of it speaks of the original guests refusing the invitation and the poor being brought in, clearly referring to the rejection of the kingdom by the Jewish leaders and its acceptance by the Gentiles.

Matthew adds a number of elements to the telling. This is a wedding banquet given by a king for his son (v 2). In Jewish prophecy, God is often presented as the husband of his people (see Is 54:4-10; 62:1-5; Jer 2-3; Ez 16 & 23; Hosea 1-3). The New Testament continues this image, seeing Christ as the bridegroom (see Mk 2:19; Jn 3:29; Mt 25:1-13; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:22-27) and his final coming as the consummation of his marriage with his people (Rev 19:6-9; 21:2; 22:7). The wedding banquet indicates that this parable refers to the kingdom both now and in its future fulfillment.

The hostility of some of the invited guests (vv 6-7) should be seen in the light of the increasing hostility of the chief priests and pharisees (21:45-46), and reflects very strongly the preceding parable of the vineyard workers (21:33-43). But it is a somewhat awkward addition to the parable by Matthew, because no appropriate reason for such a reaction is given.

V 10 emphasizes that both bad and good come into the banquet. This refers to the time of the Church, and, in connection with the expulsion of the man without the proper garment (vv 11-13), indicates that mere external membership in the Church does not guarantee true justice or final salvation. A garment is an outward expression of what a person is inwardly. These words relate to Paul’s about putting on Christ (Gal 3:27: Eph 4:24; col 3:9-10). V 14 simply emphasizes the extensive generosity of God in calling all to his banquet, and laments that few respond. It does not indicate any form of predetermined salvation or predestination.

Read all of Is 24-28 which sets the salvation of a remnant within the context of the general destruction of the wicked. This section depicts the enthronement banquet of God when he victoriously establishes his kingdom. A banquet on the occasion of the enthronement of a king was a public manifestation of his power as well as a sign of his generosity and friendship with the people over whom he rules.

Sharing and providing food is one of the strongest signs of love and care for another person; here it describes God’s care for his people. Response: "I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life."

Having or not having material possessions is not so important. What is important is looking beyond merely having or getting so that we see Christ at the heart of what we have or need. Detachment from material things, therefore, must also go hand in hand with generosity.

1. What are the characteristics of a meal that make it a good image of God’s kingdom?

2. What can you do to make your meals a better image of God’s kingdom? How about your participation in the Lord’s Supper, the eucharist?