Thematic Bible

Matthew 22:1

And Jesus continued to speak to them in parables, and said,

Matthew 22:2

the kingdom of the Messiah is such, as when a certain king made a wedding-feast for his son.

Matthew 22:3

he sent out his servants to call those that were invited to the wedding: but they would not come.

Matthew 22:4

then he sent out other servants, saying, tell those who are invited, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and every thing is ready: come to the entertainment.

Matthew 22:5

but instead of showing any regard, they went their ways, one to his farm, another to his traffick.

Matthew 22:6

others seiz'd his servants, outrageously abused them, and slew them.

Matthew 22:7

when the king was informed of this, he was greatly incensed, and having order'd his forces to march, he put those murderers to death, and laid their city in ashes.

Matthew 22:8

then he said to his servants, the feast is ready, but they who were invited were very unworthy.

Matthew 22:9

go therefore into the high streets, and as many as ye find, invite to the marriage:

Matthew 22:10

accordingly they went about the streets, and assembled all they met indifferently, both good and bad: so that the hall was furnished with guests.

Matthew 22:11

but upon the king's coming in to see the guests, he observ'd one there without a wedding garment: and he said to him,

Matthew 22:12

friend, how came you in hither, without a wedding garment? and he was speechless.

Matthew 22:13

then said the king to the servants, bind him hand and foot, take him away, and turn him out in the dark: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 22:14

thus many are called, but few are converted.

Matthew 22:15

Upon this the Pharisees withdrew, and consulted how they might insnare him in his discourse.

Matthew 22:16

they dispatch'd therefore some of their disciples, together with the Herodians, who thus address'd themselves to him; master, we know that you are sincere, and faithfully teach the divine law without fear or flattery: for you have no regard to the outward quality of men.

Matthew 22:17

tell us therefore, what is your opinion? is it lawful to pay tribute to Cesar, or no?

Matthew 22:18

but Jesus perceiving their malice, said, why, hypocrites, would you insnare me?

Matthew 22:19

shew me the tribute money. and they brought him a penny.

Matthew 22:20

and he said unto them, whose image and inscription is this?

Matthew 22:21

they answer'd, Cesar's. then said he to them, render therefore unto Cesar, the things which are Cesar's: and unto God, the things that are God's.

Matthew 22:22

on hearing this, they were filled with admiration, and so leaving him, they went their way.

Matthew 22:23

About that time the Sadducees, who say there is no future life, came and propos'd this question,

Matthew 22:24

master, said they, by the law of Moses, in case a man die without children, his brother is oblig'd to marry his wife, in order to perpetuate his brother's name.

Matthew 22:25

now there happen'd among us seven brothers, the first married but died without issue, leaving his wife to his brother:

Matthew 22:26

the same happen'd to the second, and the third, and so on to the seventh.

Matthew 22:27

last of all the woman died too:

Matthew 22:28

now if there be another life after this, whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all married her.

Matthew 22:29

Jesus answered them, you are mistaken, for want of a true notion of the scriptures, and of the divine power.

Matthew 22:30

for in the other life after this, there will be no such thing as marriage; but they will be as the angels of God in heaven.

Matthew 22:31

now as to the state of life after death, have ye not read that expression of God himself,

Matthew 22:32

" I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?" God is not a benefactor to the dead, but to the living.

Matthew 22:33

when the people heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.

Matthew 22:34

but the Pharisees hearing that he had dumb-founded the Sadducees, they met together in council.

Matthew 22:35

In the mean time one of them, a Doctor of the law, to try him, started this question, master,

Matthew 22:36

which is the most important commandment of the law?

Matthew 22:37

Jesus said to him, "thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

Matthew 22:38

this is the first and most important precept,

Matthew 22:39

and the second has an affinity with it, "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self."

Matthew 22:40

these two precepts comprehend the substance of all the law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:41

While the Pharisees were still assembled, Jesus asked them,

Matthew 22:42

what think ye of Christ? whose son is he to be? they answered, David's.

Matthew 22:43

how comes it then, said he, that David by inspiration calls him Lord, in these words,

Matthew 22:44

" the Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?"

Matthew 22:45

why then does David call him Lord, if He be David's son?

Matthew 22:46

but not a man was able to answer him a word, and from that time there was no body so hardy as to ask him any more questions.