Matthew 22:1-14 - The Parable Of The Wedding Celebration

¹ Jesus again spoke in parables to them [i.e., the Jewish leaders], saying, ² "The kingdom of heaven is similar to a certain king who held a wedding reception for his son. ³ He sent his servants out to call those who had been invited to the wedding reception, but they refused to come. ⁴ Again he sent out other servants saying, 'Tell those who were invited, look, I have already prepared the dinner; my cattle and [other] well-fattened animals have been butchered and everything is ready. [Now] come to the wedding reception dinner.'

⁵ But they made fun of it, and went on about their business, one to his farm, another to his store. ⁶ But the rest of them grabbed his servants, physically abused them and [finally] killed them. ⁷ The king became furious and sent his army to destroy these murderers and burn their city.

⁸ Then he told his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited to it [proved they] were not worthy [to attend]. ⁹ Now go to the main crossroads of the highways and invite everyone you find there to the wedding reception.' ¹⁰ So, his servants went out to the highways and gathered in all those who could be found, both bad and good, so that the wedding [reception] was full of guests. ¹¹ But when the king came in [to the dining hall] to meet the guests, he noticed a man who was not wearing a [proper] wedding outfit. ¹² He said to the man, 'Friend, how did you get in here without wearing the proper wedding outfit?' And he could not say a word.

¹³ Then the king said to his servants, 'Tie him up, hand and foot, and throw him into [a place of] outer darkness where there will be crying and excruciating pain.'

¹⁴ For many people are called [by God] but [only those] few [who respond] are chosen [by Him]."